Processing Standing Rock and Trump
My experience in the Standing Rock Solidarity March was profound. It solidified the concept of community and the need for agency. It helped me to see hope. It helped me to feel that we can make headway. And I am no longer hesitant or squeamish about saying that we must
That used to make me uncomfortable.
Used to.
Three days after the march, Trump wins the U.S. Presidential election and hate is back in style. Many of the civil rights milestones that we thought, or assumed, were set deep into the American foundation are at risk of being dislodged and laid bare, again.
But I'm in Canada. Why should I care?
Not only because there are many Americans down there that I love dearly, but because I can feel the shudder of vitriol, like a razor-sharp wave passing easily over the border: We are compadres, them and us; with the whole world, actually. The results of this election felt similar to narrowly evading an attacker: It was traumatic. And I was left feeling that things will never be the same. I felt the need to fight to get my balance back, my calmness, my belief in my place in all of this. I felt sick.
Trump is NOT what this world needs right now.
We do NOT need to go back to an ice-cold, judgementally fear-based agenda hell-bent on insular, non-inclusive attitudes towards
What we need is to be able to fiercely and energetically continue, and ramp-up, the discussions that were already underway, together; to re-set and expand on the liberal democracy that allows for the potential of tremendous human potential. To work towards a more inclusive, greener framework that allows space for everyone to contribute to defining and solving the difficulties of managing our changing, shifting societal landscape. Its intent is equality instead of stratification. It does not support any ideas of suppression or arrogant belittling of any sector of the population. Such behaviour is juvenile and non-productive. Such is the behaviour of a stump-dumb bully. Or bullies.
I'm not denying the fact that there were problems. Absolutely not. The treatment of blacks by the police, the gun lobby, jobs, and the handling of refugees are just part of the list.
...but TRUMP?
Why would anyone want to go backwards? Why would we want stop-and-frisk to become constitutional? Or Roe Vrs. Wade to be repealed? Or climate change to be denied? Or...the gun lobby? Think about this. The only reasons I can come up with are fear and ignorance 2.O.
But here we are.
Now what do we do?
Well, get your cleats on.
Be fierce.
Learn the facts.
Get elected.
Make the speech.
Confront the tyrant.
Embrace your family, AND your neighbours.
Never assume, ever again,
and be mindfully loving...
Because...TRUMP.
Oh and in case you need a little refresher?
Article one of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
"All humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights."
Article 2:
"Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."
That is all. Now, get to it.
MINDFULLY LOVE EACH OTHER.
That used to make me uncomfortable.
Used to.
Three days after the march, Trump wins the U.S. Presidential election and hate is back in style. Many of the civil rights milestones that we thought, or assumed, were set deep into the American foundation are at risk of being dislodged and laid bare, again.
But I'm in Canada. Why should I care?
Not only because there are many Americans down there that I love dearly, but because I can feel the shudder of vitriol, like a razor-sharp wave passing easily over the border: We are compadres, them and us; with the whole world, actually. The results of this election felt similar to narrowly evading an attacker: It was traumatic. And I was left feeling that things will never be the same. I felt the need to fight to get my balance back, my calmness, my belief in my place in all of this. I felt sick.
Trump is NOT what this world needs right now.
We do NOT need to go back to an ice-cold, judgementally fear-based agenda hell-bent on insular, non-inclusive attitudes towards
THE OTHER.
What we need is to be able to fiercely and energetically continue, and ramp-up, the discussions that were already underway, together; to re-set and expand on the liberal democracy that allows for the potential of tremendous human potential. To work towards a more inclusive, greener framework that allows space for everyone to contribute to defining and solving the difficulties of managing our changing, shifting societal landscape. Its intent is equality instead of stratification. It does not support any ideas of suppression or arrogant belittling of any sector of the population. Such behaviour is juvenile and non-productive. Such is the behaviour of a stump-dumb bully. Or bullies.
I'm not denying the fact that there were problems. Absolutely not. The treatment of blacks by the police, the gun lobby, jobs, and the handling of refugees are just part of the list.
STANDING ROCK!
Jesus...
...but TRUMP?
Why would anyone want to go backwards? Why would we want stop-and-frisk to become constitutional? Or Roe Vrs. Wade to be repealed? Or climate change to be denied? Or...the gun lobby? Think about this. The only reasons I can come up with are fear and ignorance 2.O.
But here we are.
Now what do we do?
Well, get your cleats on.
Be fierce.
Learn the facts.
Get elected.
Make the speech.
Confront the tyrant.
Embrace your family, AND your neighbours.
Never assume, ever again,
and be mindfully loving...
Because...TRUMP.
Oh and in case you need a little refresher?
Article one of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
"All humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights."
Article 2:
"Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."
That is all. Now, get to it.
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