The other day I got into a political discussion with my host's downstairs tenant and the plumber. I HATE apologizing for my country.
I also hate my ostrich mentality. Some say this is the supreme example of white privilege: I can afford to turn my back on the problems, and I have safe havens. Others say this is healthy, that the focus on negative news is bad for one's mental health. That may be: I have a huge headache today. It may be caused by the proliferation of negative Facebook posts from NRA and Trump supporters (or from anti-left supporters....the agenda is never clear to me.)
I read posts from people who are threatened by children and youth who protest, who tell adults what to do. They see these kids as pawns, they liken them to Hitler Youth. I see the parallel...But the parallel I see involves the Civil Rights movement, nonviolent in the face of violence. It is sad they had to grow up so quickly. That’s what happens in times of war, and it appears that we are once again at war with ourselves. I am heartbroken, but these kids go past that to find their collective voice. I feel the glimmerings of hope. But I also fear. There are no taboos: when threatened, the powerful lash out, and this country is no longer a safe place to speak out, if indeed it ever was. I am proud that people still speak out, despite that.
Meanwhile, I also read about the attacks on my personal future. What will I do if Social Security is gutted, if Medicare is decimated, or if PERS is destroyed? These are all things that I have paid for, that I have depended upon, but that neither the current administration nor today's kids (tomorrow's leaders) have any reason or desire to support. And I am not alone in this. It's a hell of a time to be getting old.
My headache is getting worse.
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