While going through a pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests worldwide like Hachiro in the above FC&S comic strip, we’re all waiting for the next big event that will turn the world upside down. Could it be an alien invasion? Or, perhaps, off-world beings deciding we’ve gone too far and then making themselves known to us somehow to calm us the heck down?

We should all be prepared for more fantastic events that bring us together as a human race.

Similar to the WATCHMEN comic book series in the 80s where a giant alien squid was dropped on New York City at the end. That threat felt more significant than the disagreements between nations on earth and helped unite the world. If we can see that life indeed does exist outside of our planet, it would give us perspective during these difficult times.

That could be what America needs, but I find we tend to think every country is as self-centered as we are. Plenty of others like Canada, Japan, and Taiwan are accustomed to thinking more about the group rather than the individual.

Individualism is a powerful driver for success and innovation, but humanity will thrive through cooperation, not competition.

Maybe we need to know for sure that otherworldly beings can visit us at any time to understand how vital each human person is to our survival. We need to feel how connected we are and how much we need each other. If you don’t believe in life on other planets, this might be the time to start opening your mind.

Remember, Japan was closed to other countries for over 200 years. No trade or immigration. The average Japanese citizen thought they were all that existed on earth. Can you imagine how it felt when commodore Matthew Perry docked his massive American metal warships in Tokyo in 1853, and a bunch of white men stepped out?

I bet the minds of Japanese citizens were utterly blown. Their whole world and belief system turned inside out.

That ended up becoming a peaceful event, but It doesn’t have to be scary. Personally, I don’t believe in “Alien Invasions.” If they wanted to take over this earth, there would be no need to come down in massive ships and fire lasers at us and destroy cities. They could quickly release some sort of gas and quietly poison us and then have this planet all to themselves. I know, my mind goes to dark places sometimes.

It might sound crazy, but I’m just trying to keep an open mind about what might be coming in the future. Any encounter we may have with aliens will most likely be a peaceful one and done to connect us, not divide us.

When it happens, it will be to help see the error of our selfish and racist ways. If otherworldly beings exist, my bet is they want us to recognize our connection to the universe. Help us remember that we are all one.

If an alien appearance or “invasion” is done to scare humanity, or make us think we’re being attacked, I would be inclined to believe it’s fake. To keep us in fear so that we can be controlled. Who knows what kind of technology exists right now to project holograms of fake alien ships in the sky or even real spacecraft made to look like alien ships.

Perhaps, in a few years, when aliens are helping humanity move forward spiritually, this article will make sense. You’ll say, “That wacky cartoonist was right!” Or, if nothing changes, I hope to still be here making comics that challenge your view of the world.

Either way, keep your mind open to change and ready to connect with others as society moves into a different era — one of cooperation and equality.