Where Do I Start?

All right, a lot has happened in the last few months. We are all processing this. But how are we doing really? I mean there is some crazy, scary stuff going on. One of my favorite quotes is, “If there is a man lying in chains anywhere, none of us are free,”—-Anonymous.

Is this the time to freak out? Kind of, that is a legitimate response. Women’s rights and human rights are being taken away and more is to come. I did watch the entire series, The Handmaid’s Tale. What the most interesting part about that series was that she couldn’t pinpoint a moment when it all began, it was a series of micro aggressions. Now what has happened lately is not micro by any means. 

It has occurred to me to move to Canada. It has occurred to me that I am afraid, for myself and my sisters and brothers. My sisters who are younger and of childbearing age, even though I could technically still get pregnant. I’m worried for my gay brothers and sisters. My Native American sisters and brothers.  I’m worried about our environment. 

We, people, are watching the fall of Rome. And it’s ugly. 

I remember taking a political science class and the professor said every superpower only has a short life. It is the nature of the world that one country cannot be a superpower forever. 

We are done. 

But this is my country. I am ashamed of what is happening in America, but I love my people. Can you hate a country and still love its people? These are my people. 

This is not the greatest country in the world by any stretch of the imagination. There are countries where healthcare and higher education are free. According to Bernie Sanders, the average American doesn’t have 500 dollars for an emergency. Most bankruptcies are because of health care bills. 

This is sick. 

It’s almost the 4th of July. This country was created as a revolution from oppression. Tyranny and oppression are moving into our space and it’s disgusting. I’m scared. I’m worried. I’m angry. I’m sad. I’m all the things. 

How do we as individuals process all of this and still go on fighting? How do we stay strong?

I’m trying to take deep breaths. I’m trying to meditate. 

Writing is my way of protesting. Find your own unique way. I have signed the petitions, I want to march. But mostly this here is my space where I protest.

I will not sit quietly while this happens. I will scream, I will shout. I will write it down and post it and read other’s stories. I will not shut up. They will not shut me up. They will not shut us up. 

I don’t know what is going to happen and that is scary as hell. 

But we will not sit quietly while this happens. 

nina