When Someone Shows You Who They Are...
Believe them the first time -Maya Angelou
It’s time to believe. And act.
It’s a little hard to think of the right words to say when you realize you can’t think of a word beyond “unprecedented” to describe the times we’re in but “unprecedented” is wholly insufficient.
I’ve crossed the threshold into more than 300 days in a self-imposed lockdown that’s nearly as strict as it was back in March. That’s unprecedented. And yet all across my state and the country, it seems for naught. 10 months into this catastrophic pandemic-induced health and economic crisis, those who claim it’s a hoax in the face of the pleas from experts and who openly mock and revile those who disagree in the face of the deaths of their neighbors seem to be winning the day.
And last week I watched an attempted insurrection play out on live television (and across many live Twitter threads) and while that attack was eventually turned back, I’m confident it’s far from over. Driven by people who claim our last election was also a hoax in the face of experts and judges from across the ideological spectrum and who openly mock and revile (and threaten) those who disagree.
I pay attention more than most, probably, to the numbers and data behind this phenomenon of an entire slice of our population seeming to be disconnected from any sense of shared facts and shared values and common purpose from the rest of the country. I absolutely believe we are not a 50-50 country, and that the Venn diagram that holds these two groups of people is probably nearly a circle, and that it’s not nearly half our country. Which used to bring me comfort. It’s less comforting when you realize how far this minority slice is willing to go to avoid reckoning with their bad judgment and bad-faith actions. Avoiding the shame and the regret and the consequences are all rolled up into a big ball of doubling down and upping the ante.
This goes for the anonymous rioter, and it goes for some United States Congresspeople.
And it was basically foretold. We have been shown. The incitement, the glorification of violence, the rejection of science, or really of intellectualism of any stripe, the nationalism, the bigotry, the isolationism, the mistrust and dissatisfaction with our government and our fellow citizens…the seeds were planted long ago, and Trump was just the tree that bore the sourest fruit in (for reasons I still cannot quite grasp) the most savory package for some people.
I’m guessing a whole lot more of us believe now, believe the most Cassandra of Cassandras, the direst of seers, but I continue to sit with one question for myself and for us all: What do we do now? How do we help?
I plan to show vocal and strong support for those who seek accountability and consequences. I plan to continue to examine and call out systems, not just individuals (which doesn’t mean letting individuals off the hook). I plan to continue making the historical analogies people say are too much or too soon or too extreme.
But those are just table stakes really, having a voice and using it. I need more.
What are you thinking about, what are you feeling, what are you wishing ? How will you act? I would love to hear from you.
Coming this week-ish
I did not record a podcast episode last week because it was just too soon for me to know what to say about last week’s events, and yet I didn’t feel I could not talk about it. This week I’ll make myself figure it out. If you start silencing yourself because you don’t know if you can say the perfect thing, you let all the oxygen be sucked up by people who never give a second thought to whether they’re saying something right or wrong :)
On one single frivolous lighter note: About six weeks ago (which feels like a lifetime) I tuned in the first edition of a new monthly column I’ll be writing for Kinder Beauty. It will be about #everydaybeauty from a #vegan point of view. The first column is finally live, and it’s all about my purple hair! Hope you enjoy.
As always I appreciate a share of this newsletter or my podcast. And I appreciate feedback and hearing from you too.
And if you think I can help you break through the things that are keeping you stuck, you can always set up your first introductory 30-minute consult for free by booking it in my Calendly.
Have a great week-ish!
I dunno. I believe we need to use the 25th Amendment, but I still don't believe in de-platforming now. Too little too late. Should have been done years ago, but can't help but inflame people now. We actually ARE a 50-50 country of voters. We may have more raw citizens on our side, but why don't they vote? It's our job to educate, and to get out the vote.