Revolution. A word that inspires excitement, or fear, in people. Depending on who you are. Excitement ripples forth at the chance of chaos, of change that may possibly come to a world that has lain stagnant for far too long. Excitement burns through at the thought of something beyond simple boredom, at the idea that society may evolve and become better than its younger, more foolish self. For others, however, fear is what strikes their hearts, like thunder on a dark night, when the word flits around the whispers of downtrodden citizens. Revolution. An upturning of the status quo. Pure anarchy. A reset of all you have known and become. Equality for all, if only for a brief time. Death. Your true nature being uncovered. And change; pure, simple change.
For those who have something to lose, revolution inspires in them fear not unlike that a wounded tiger faces when it knows it cannot outrun the pack of hyenas laughing uproariously at its heels. For them, a revolution is one of the worst things that can come to pass, for in the metamorphosis that inevitably must come lies the very real possibility that, when the ground stops shaking and the fire ceases to rain from the sky, they will be nowhere near to the position they were once so “graced” with. Politicians. Leaders. Celebrities. Corporate folk. Maybe even the babysitter. Irrationality will sweep through these people like a cosmic wave, paralyzing them. Maddening them. And while they wonder endlessly what exactly it is that they did wrong, there will undoubtedly be others who will rejoice and thank whatever gods they believe will be listening for this grand opportunity.
The reality is that, in any society revolution has passed through, for every person who will have lost all they once held dear, there will be at least ten more who now have the possibility to at least get a foot in the door and finally make the journey to gaining… something. These are men, women, children who have never had a thing to call their own, or who have never had quite enough to lead the happy, fulfilled life everyone strives for. These are people who are angry at a system that denies them the possibility for a better way. These are citizens who are fed up with a government that leads through lies, might, and inadequacy. Caged animals these people are, beaten and bruised every day. Letting their rage well up inside while pacing back and forth, biding their time until their so-called masters make that one fatal mistake. One mistake that will let loose the roar that has been building within, a roar that will herald the advent of change. Those who survive such turmoil and upheaval may find themselves in a new world, a better one. Or they may find that their leaders have only been replaced by ones who offer more of the same.
That is the sad truth of many of the revolutions that have taken place around the world in recent times. Old regimes replaced by new regimes that are potentially worse. Failed revolutions they are, aberrations almost in that the cries of the people being wronged still go unheard. Sure, the rest of the world watches, but nothing truly significant is done. These battles for freedom and transformation are more spectacle now than they are not. And while the world is entertained, it also waits with baited breath for the revolution that will wipe the face of everything that is now called world order and leave in its place something… strange. For years has this anarchic storm been gathering power, churning and waiting for the white stroke of lightning to pierce the sky and announce its existence to society. Connected as we all are, it isn’t particularly difficult to tell where this maelstrom will come from. Or, at least, where it should come. Nevertheless, the fear and excitement mount for those who dwell in the belly of the beast that has come to be known, revered, feared, condemned, and even worshiped by one name.
America.
