Police violence is probably the most obvious state-sanctioned, “in your face” violence -particularly if your face is black or brown. Defunding the police is a good beginning - but just scratches the surface. Martin Luther King reminded us that the largest purveyor of violence in the world is the US military. Military violence causes unspeakable suffering for all living creatures - human and otherwise. Irag, Afghanistan, Yemen, the Congo, Kashmir, and Palestine. It’s the violence of guns, bombs, napalm, land mines, tanks, jet fighters, Cruise missiles, submarines, battle ships, Apache helicopters, and ultimately nuclear bombs which cause horrifying death, suffering, sickness, and starvation for millions around the globe. It also causes devastating environmental contamination from substances like depleted uranium and agent orange in Vietnam.
So yes , let’s start with defunding racist police violence. But we must move on to address the real threats to life on this planet. Let’s defund our military (ideally, ALL militaries). And while we’re at it, let’s defund all the violent enterprises - like mining, logging, and oil drilling. Defund all activities that hurt mother earth, we humans, and all the helpless and voiceless creatures on this planet.
Our tax dollars for military spending are bankrupting us financially and morally. It’s why we can’t afford universal free health care, good housing, decent public transportation, and free education. Maybe if Americans had programs like these we wouldn’t need to live in a police state. Defunding our military and instituting programs to help and support people - that would truly make America great.
Eli Kassirer
So yes , let’s start with defunding racist police violence. But we must move on to address the real threats to life on this planet. Let’s defund our military (ideally, ALL militaries). And while we’re at it, let’s defund all the violent enterprises - like mining, logging, and oil drilling. Defund all activities that hurt mother earth, we humans, and all the helpless and voiceless creatures on this planet.
Our tax dollars for military spending are bankrupting us financially and morally. It’s why we can’t afford universal free health care, good housing, decent public transportation, and free education. Maybe if Americans had programs like these we wouldn’t need to live in a police state. Defunding our military and instituting programs to help and support people - that would truly make America great.
Eli Kassirer
