BLASST #66: 11/5/18

BLASST

In short, today's episode has me a bit frustrated. I kept getting stuck reading headlines about the military's operations on the border aka my BACKYARD. It's surreal to say the least, and hard to think of as real, despite there being evidence to the fact. I featured excerpts from two different news stations on the show, one from a national outlet, Democracy now, and one from a local outlet, KRGV Channel 5, which I've been watching since I was a kid. The perspectives are very different. Where Democracy Now is a left-leaning operation, they also make sure to feature some of the more damning and volatile part of the news cycle, while our local station (one of 3) gathers a variety of opinions (from people who actually cross the border regularly, aka older latines who have a very complicated perspective on life in the rio grande valley. Nothing has ever been simple here since it was overtaken by white entrepreneurs in the 10s and 20s looking to establish a new tourist attraction on the border. Our culture is mixed, our experiences of prejudice are varied, with even poorer, less affluent whites experiencing prejudice and a seeming lack of privilege within the confines of mostly latine social circles. It's honestly not something I can break down into a blog post, it's so complicated...and infuriating. Growing up here, you don't think about how the Rio Grande Valley fits into the world picture. You don't realize how living on the border of a violently imperialist country means you never truly have control of your surroundings. The military can barge in on the whim of a raving racist rapist who--while your country may not have elected him president--is still able to rally massive support from his followers by simply echoing their violent rhetoric with his own little shit stain of flair. Case in point: there are currently 200 militia members mobilized and ready to invade the border with their guns, hunting gear, bait & tackle, whatever, all because of Donald Trump's fearmongering about the border. These assholes have the resources to gather weaponry and organize themselves in such a way that they can act as armed vigilantes to further whatever warped understanding of the world they have. That's terrifying. I understand the historical value of militias but in those days the militias were not aligned with the goverment, they were created to defend the people's (white ones mostly) right to autonomy should the government try and take that away. These days militias have been reduced to the playthings of entitled white men with money who fear people of color, believe women are beneath them, and think the president is their best fucking friend. Great. I'm rambling a bit now. More news about the patreon and upcoming music market as it arrives. Thanks for listening this week and every week. Review us on Apple Podcasts, rate us, etc. THE BORDER SHOULD NOT BE MILITARIZED!!!!!
Send us an e-mail at [e-mail].
Blog: http://blsst.blogspot.com
Insta: @u_punk
Twitter: @universal_punk