From urge, urgency, to devour, ravenously, crunching bones, grinding gristle, with a greasy smile and a promise, for the greater good. There is no justification.

There. Is. No. Justification.

Greater good is subjective and driven by power.

Those of us who believe we are not being devoured are so blinded by pettiness and so distracted by our individual effort to devour (so as to maintain belief), that we have no choice but to go along with the greater good du jour.

Those of us who realize we are being devoured are in such pain that we have no choice but to be devoured.

Though preparation methods, from low and slow to boil and broil, should serve as warning, many are still surprised when the tasting and grinding and crunching begin; and after the initial surprise, some choose to deny it is happening at all.

Low and slow is bureaucracy.

Boil and broil can take many forms including policing and prisons.

All for the greater good.

Oh my heart. It sings, and dances, and cries crimson tears. Metaphorically? Literally? Lyrically? Does it matter?

Many are anxious for a return to normal. For some that means paycheck-to-paycheck, or no paycheck and the associated stigma; late fees; high interest rates; added unnavigable bureaucracy; eviction notices; whispers; finger-pointing; implicit; explicit; crunching; grinding. This not-so-minority underclass is necessary to maintain the system; to maintain belief; to return to normal. This not-so-minority underclass is necessary for the greater good.

It is past time to rethink the greater good. But, this is America.

A sudden flurry of activity surrounding a new federal holiday. It is a poor substitute for reparations. It is a baby step at a time when we need giant steps. But, this is America.