Month: November 2024

I wrote about my sadness, anger, frustration (I’m using gentle words, but I promise my feelings are much, much stronger) eight years ago. We had different information back then, but now I think we know what’s in store.

I am talking with others about our impending four years under the upcoming administration, and we try to make sense of why we are here again. I think I know at least one reason for the profound disconnect between the viewpoints of voters: the distrust in news sources, the rise of disinformation, the “news” as being reported by social media personalities rather than journalists (this is called opinion, folks, not news), and the dismantling of any sense of community that results from such divided reporting. This is why, when I and others admit to being bereft this week, we are met with blank stares by those who are celebrating. We are not seeing the same thing, we are not understanding each other — we will in no way arrive at a middle ground because of this.

Of course, it’s far more complex than that. I’m still processing, and I am committed to educating myself by reading and viewing information sources that have teeth, history, and a commitment to fact behind them. But I will not be tolerant of those who think that human rights are not at stake here, and that women and whole communities are not under siege. I will hear your viewpoint if you’ll hear mine, but I won’t let you get away with behaving like we should not all — ALL humans — have the same rights.

There, I’ve said that, and to my few readers, you know where I stand and can act accordingly.

With that in the open, I will also admit I’m wondering how to move on and still be a part of living, because that’s what we are all doing here on this planet, in whatever country we are in, in our homes and at work and carrying on in our everyday lives. We are all worried about our families, our friends, our partners. We still have bills to pay and living spaces to maintain and money worries and job frustrations and health concerns. We still laugh (we have to) and cry (also a must) and make art or music or love or soup or bread or whatever makes us feel some connection or comfort.

I want to continue seeing beauty where I can, and even if that sometimes feels frivolous, I believe more than ever that it’s important. There is suffering and heaviness, but there is also beauty and joy. We become inhuman when we ignore either one of these things.