right side No, not the right side of history. The right has become putrid.
And, no, I don’t want to give up the pen on paper just yet. It is just that right now, the world is crazy. But I refuse to jump into the rabbit hole.
I had written a blog that I had not posted- yet. It was a sort of call out to the troops, a venting of anger. I did not post it, because over the weekend I saw and read, of
the states, United.
In solidarity, not vicious anger.
As I read the posts I felt, well, … washed clean.
And it occured to me, that after three years of pandemic, which seems so long ago now, people were not able to go out.
Some lost jobs, others became homeless. Some got sick, family or friends died.
Suddenly workers thought, “Will I die for this job? This medical job that endangers me, my family? This back breaking job? No! they shouted, I don’t want to die.”
People, scared and reckless, trapped indoors, with no outlet of friends, work, school, nights out. No friends to see, without a mask, only able to walk on the streets, early morning, so not to be seen without a mask, or to not become infected, to talk only online, not face to face.
The cracks had begun. The blame was thrown. The demands, pleas, of people, teachers, nurses, shop owners, to wear a mask so not to spread the disease, were instead, blamed for asking this.
Then the governments were resented for not giving folks a choice to wear a mask.
The crack was pulled open, by those who resented no choice, and but others who told lies by those who wanted power. Why do I speak of this now?
Because over the weekend, my heart was again filled with hope. Not dread.
The hope came not from the millions who marched, holding up hand-made signs, (Yea! For artists and regular folks showing their creativity and humor to express their anger, in place of sticks and fists)
Wow! what I read from those returning from those marches. Their words, written by the crowds moving through counties, cities, villages, states, all over the nation, a huge force of positive strength snaking though the nation from street to street, town to town, county to county.
I read of those daring to protest in red states, enduring yes, some yelling and shouts, but they feeling so empowered to stand, side by side with another American, another who had also felt hopeless, apart, but now stood stronger because they were two. Or three or a whole bunch of folks standing proud. Alongside the fired teacher, the shunned scientist, the black drag queen, the biker, the gay man, the lesbian woman, the child, the mother, the veteran., the immigrant. Groups with rainbow flags, upside down American flags, signs calling for
the Constitution to be fought for.
What I read was worth a million pictures. They told of the comradery, the joy to smile with each other, stand along side in strength and unity. Shout, with purpose, together, against what they feel in their bones is
this wrong side of history.
So, please, write your senators, choose who you give your money to, stand strong, protest and never, ever, give up! Fight for our democracy, our Constitution.
Stay safe, save the bees, fight climate change, smile in power.
Next protest is October 18
find protest:
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