In light of the horrifying insurrection that occurred in and at the United States Capitol on January 6th, and the impeachment of the instigator, President Donald Trump, there are those who say we should just move on and not sustain the impeachment because it will further divide our country. They add to their call to Just move that we should move on to unification and healing.
“Just move on” Is a phrase used by those who want to dismiss and turn a blind eye to reality. Just Move on is an effort to negate wrongdoing without consequences. One hundred and fifty-nine years ago President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation granting slaves freedom as of January 1, 1863. The ensuing tragedies that followed up until this very day have always been met with “Just Move On.” When Reconstruction was ended in 1877 due to the deal made between the North and the south which allowed Rutherford B Hayes to become president with the condition that the troops enforcing equality in the south would be removed and basically ending reconstruction, the Blacks and abolitionist supporters were told to “Just Move on.”
When voter suppression was imposed by way of literacy tests and pole taxes targeting to restrict the black vote; the answer was “Just Move On.” When statues were erected during the Jim Crow era celebrating confederate soldiers in an effective way to remind blacks the war may be over, but we are not done; the country was told to “Just Move on.” After the rise of the KKK and countless lynching’s from the early 1900’s through the 1950’s when blacks taken exception they were told to “Just Move On.”
Throughout Jim Crow, segregation, civil rights, racial inequality, systemic racism and now the George Floyds of the world, resurfacing of voter suppression and galvanized hate groups; again, when opposed the people and the country are told to “Just Move On.”
“Just Move On” equates to a hit and run driver who is never held accountable for damage and harm caused by his/her actions. “Just Move On” is the same band-aid that has been placed on the deep and painful wounds in our country for too many years to count. A band-aid only covers the wound, it does little to treat the pain and infection or to start the process of healing.
In this country the infection is Hate, and every time our country takes a step forward to unify and work together as one people the scab is pulled off of the unhealed wound and the infection of hate starts to spread. We are told by those who have chosen to absence themselves from the healing process to “Just Move On” and let’s unify. The biggest reality is that you can’t treat or heal what you refuse to acknowledge or see. “Just Move On” is not and antidote to deep rooted problem of hate and division in our country; it’s just a pass and an avoidance of accountability.
I truly believe by far the vast majority of people in our country are good people who possess a genuine love for people of every background and are tired of seeing the scab pulled off of the deep wounds of hate and division. Part of the healing process is accountability. To say “Just Move On” without holding the infectors of hate and division accountable doesn’t facilitate healing. I remember first aid training while I was a soldier in the US Army, they taught us the initial steps for treating the wounded. First stop the bleeding, treat the wound, and treat for shock. Those three steps were simple enough anyone could perform them on the injured, helping stabilize them until the medical professionals arrived.
“Just Move On”, is a mindset of I don’t really care. It’s not an effort to unify, but uses the words unify as a front and a sidestep from responsibility. The bleeding of division has been going on for too long. The wounds worsen as they are inflicted and infected by hate leaving us in shock as we listen to leaders who should be first responders to this crisis say, “Just Move On.” The healing of our country will not become a reality until the infection of hate and division is Identified, stopped and those responsible are held accountable. Scars are evidence of healing and reminders of pain once felt. Only after the healing is complete can we “Just Move On.”