Through Thick and Thin (Anthony Rizzo)

Fight For What's Right

Anthony

Chicago had started to become the stomping grounds for social justice. While the city has always been a place of fighting for what's right, now, more than ever, people were on the streets demanding a change that should have came long ago. Although Minneapolis was the place where Floyd died, Chicago was the epicenter of trying to force a change. Of demanding justice and making the world a better place for the majority of the people who call this city home.

There were protests every day in the week since George Floyd was murdered, and for the most part they've been great shows of peaceful protests. There's always going to be something that happens when emotions are high like this. No one is perfect and stuff happens. But it kind of feels like this time, maybe something will happen and change will come.

But tensions were high and there was a lot of pressure on everyone not to make a single mistake that would undermine everything they've been working so hard for. Whether to stand up and talk or sit down and listen. Whether or not to have a voice in the matter or to stay silent.

I know a lot of people are afraid what their friends will say. I mean I never had to talk about these things growing up and I'm privileged enough to never have to think about these things. And now I'm blessed enough to be able to help.

I hear a knock on the door about 6 in the morning and I jump out of bed. I throw some shorts on and head to my door to look through the peep hole. I see Jazz standing there in her PJ's and I thought it was weird because I always came to her place, and never this early. So I knew this had to be something important and I open the door.

"Hey Jay, what's up" I wonder as her weary eyes meet mine.

"I'm sorry to bother you so early-" she starts barley above a whisper.

"Hey, hey" I stop her as I pull her into my embrace. Her arms latch around me and I hold her as close as possible. "You could never bother me. I told you I'll always be here for you and I will.

Now what's going on" I wonder.

I bring her into my apartment and we sit down on the couch. She keeps her hold on me as she looks up to me with sad eyes. "I got a call this morning. They're calling the national guard on the protestors tonight" she explains.

"Is this a curfew thing" I question.

"Kind of. But since when is there a bad time to stand up for what's right? Just because the sun goes down doesn't mean we should be silent. This curfew is taking away more rights than any mask ever could but no one wants to talk about that. And I am not going to be what stands between the people and these freedoms. If I had to choose between protecting a store or the people of this city I'm standing by the people" she insists.

"But it's your job to protect this city" I remind her.

"No, it's the police's job to protect the city and that's how we ended up in this situation in the first place. They have failed way too many times and it's coming back to bite them in the ass. And if we side with them who is left to protect the people? Because we both know it won't be the police. These protestors are hurting Anthony. If we listen to what they're saying and read the signs they are telling us exactly what needs to happen for all of this to stop. No, looting and rioting isn't the answer. But those aren't the people who deserves the recognition for engaging change in our country. People want to talk about everything but the problems that matter most" she argues.

"Are you allowed to turn down something like this" I ask.

"I don't think so. But I can't go out there and look into the eyes of these people who are hurting and take away the rights I fought so long and so hard to give them" she whispers.

I get chills as I realized she was right. I was trying to play devils advocate to see both sides of the issue here. But in doing that I was blinding myself to the hard truths.

"Alright" I sigh, "what are we going to do?"

"We" she questions.

"Yes, we. I've sat down and listened long enough. And I hear the cries for help, I'm ready to do something" I insist.

"I guess we can go down to the National Guard office and explain the situation. I want to help but only as a part of the solution. Because if you look at the civil rights movements and what's happening here, it's the same things. But instead of water they're gassing people, instead of dogs they're using machines. It's the same thing on a different day and I cannot bring myself to do this" she begs.

"I promise you won't have to. Go get changed and we can go down to the office" I assure her.

So we both change and get ready for the day, whatever that will bring us. We grab our masks and head downtown to the National Guard office. We walk in where there was already many people dressed and ready to go for the day.

"Commander Thomas" someone announces as he walks up to us.

"Hello sir. And it's just Thomas now" she insists.

"Right. Who do you have with you" he wonders as his attention turns to me. He had the stare of a Sargent, that's for sure.

"This is my..." she trails off as she looks up at me. "-good friend Anthony Rizzo. Anthony this is Sargent Hall" she finishes as we shake hands.

"Well it's good to see you guys here. Are you here for work" the man wonders.

"No, I'm afraid I'm not. I actually came to see you, sir" she claims.

"Oh" he asks. "Would you like to do this in my office" he wonders.

"Yes please" she nods.

We follow him back to the offices and find a seat. He sits behind his desk as he turns to us. "What's on your mind Thomas" he asks.

"The protests tonight" she starts.

"You're scared to go out there, huh" he asks.

"Not at all. If I'm out there I'm not going as a part of the national guard but as a part of the protest" she insists.

The silence fills the air as the mans face falls a little. He looks between the two of us before his eyes fall to Jazz again. "You want to be a part of the problem" he asks her.

"No sir. Perception here is important and in my eyes the policing being forced upon people exercising their rights, that's the problem. If freedom of speech is only a matter of convenience then it is no longer a freedom. It's another way to silence the people who need the help. And I won't be the one silencing them" she defends.

"It's your job" he argues.

"It's is, as in I chose this profession. Those people didn't choose to be black, they didn't choose to be oppressed. I have a choice in this matter, they don't. And it's my moral responsibility as a solider to fight for the people and not the systems we all live in" she insists.

He lets out a harsh sigh as he leans back in his chair. "If I let you out of this it's not a good look" he starts.

"It can't be worse than you forcing me to do something that isn't right" she reminds him.

He just smiles as he shakes his head. "Your reputation precedes you" he claims.

"I am my words. And my words is who I stand for" she insists.

"Alright" he grunts. "You do not have to report to the protests tonight. But I want another shift at the hospital out of you" he claims.

"Yes sir" she smiles.

We leave the place and get outside. She lets out a sigh of relief before turning to me.

"You did great in there. I'm really proud of you" I insist.

"Thanks for being there for me. For always being there for me" she says softly.

"You're the only thing I got right now. I don't have my family or baseball or childhood friends. I have food, I have movies... and I have you" I explain.

She takes my arm and wraps it around her as she smiles up at me. "You got me" she smiles.