Like millions of others I'm reading about, I am bewildered by what is happening in the United States. Sure, I was bewildered last year too. Shocked. Angered. Grossed out. Worried. But now it's worse. And it renders me unable to think clearly. This is not the US I grew up next to. I'm not American and I don't pretend to know what it's like to be an American. It's always a matter of worldviews and perceptions, but I'm so confused by this open bigotry and ignorant tyranny and "alternative facts."
I always seek to understand people because, despite differing ideologies, the great leveler is that we are all human and don't we want the best for our children, for all children? This situation is way beyond political parties. Yet not everyone (?!) feels some combination of appalled and outraged, so what now? And what next?
Often, I am guilty of leading with my feelings. As we all should know, feelings are not facts so perhaps that isn't the best way to think critically and calmly about 2017 in North America. Nevertheless, this FEELS like when I was a kid and I watched Roots or when Sting sang, "I hope the Russians love their children too." It FEELS like when I read Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank or Night by Elie Wiesel or 1984 or The Handmaid's Tale or when I met a man who lived through Hiroshima. It FEELS like my Great-Grandfather, who paid the ultimate sacrifice at Passchendaele in World War 1, would be sickened by these developments. I don't even know how to explain these feelings. It's a heavy feeling, a fog. Growing up privileged and safe and comfortable and free likely explains why I feel so confused at times. But right now, I'm awake. I'm alert. And I feel empowered by all those who DO feel appalled and outraged and MOTIVATED.
4 comments:
I'm scared too. Hopefully the democracy of information will keep him in check. I hope.
We need to be vigilant that these ideas and views do not bleed over the border into Canada. They've already started to, of course. Fighting their intrusion here is the best thing we can do.
Remember; fear is the mindkiller. War is a lucrative business.
The optimism that can be wrung out of this stone is the last word of your post, "motivated." It appears like a lot of people have become motivated and are calling their lawmakers and demonstrating in the streets and donating to the ACLU. Only 20% of the US voted for this cretin. Unfortunately, due to the Electoral College system it was enough to put this goon in a seat of power. But the rest of us have learned from history and aren't letting this proto-fascist get away with anything hie wants. In his first week I've been to two large protests in Alabama, not known for its open-minded progressive nature. It's terrifying right now, but I have some semblance of hope thanks to humanities capacity for goodness and underlying need to progress.
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