On 1 June 2020, amidst the chaos of protests and looting in Manhattan, the author reflects on how this night marked a turning point in US culture. The eruption of violence and the public's reaction led to deep-seated distrust of authoritative voices, giving rise to fringe ideologies. This unrest has allowed right-wing politics and their tech allies to push pro-oligarchic measures under the guise of addressing the social unrest, illustrating the widening gaps between societal power dynamics. The author's personal experience that night serves as a microcosm of larger societal fears and changes.
That night and its aftermath, I now believe, were the biggest factor behind the backlash rippling through US culture today.
The political consequences: allowing the Trumpian Right and its new tech allies to justify a raft of self-interested, pro-oligarchic measures.
Watching the looting on Lex that night, I told myself they wouldn't bother with our block, bereft of any cool shops.
Covid-era tension finally snapped; and many millions resolved that every claim issuing from reputable authorities must be a lie.
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