Today our President tweeted more hate at the mayor of London.
I remember when the 2000 election happened, all the animosity and insults and backbiting and everything that was involved. It was a derisive election, if for no other reason than that ultimately the Supreme Court chose the President of the United States instead of allowing time for a proper recount.
But that era feels like the era of enlightenment compared to what is happening now. We have domestic terrorists empowered by a President who seems to think he can Tweet like a troll and often seems to not understand his job (it’s about more than long power handshakes and two scoops of ice cream, Mr. Drumpf, sir).
I am done telling people it is going to get better, because I’m no longer sure that it will. I worry that I might be one of the people who is witnessing the end of the already fragile freedom I had evaporate. The department of education isn’t going to protect scholars, and no one is going to protect someone who is othered and wants to be considered equal. This is… a dark time.
I hope it’s the time that makes people realize we have to do something, though.
I’ve said this before, but for the love of everything that matters to you GET ACTIVE. And I don’t mean witty Facebook posts and reTweets. Those are good, of course. But you need to do more. You need to treat this situation like they are coming for you if you can’t find a fix, because THEY ARE COMING FOR YOU.
I know that my quality of life will continue to decline under the Trump Presidency. There’s zero indication that he even considers people like me human, let alone worth giving time and consideration.
Look at the people who represent you to the rest of the world. Ask yourself if you’re okay with that.
If you aren’t, you better find a way to make a change.
Here are seven quick tips:
- Look after your own. People overlook this too often. Make sure someone’s taking care of the people you love, because the government sure isn’t unless the people you love are insanely rich and white.
- Make new friends who are from similar demographics to yourself but who are somehow dramatically different. We’re way past the era when minority groups could fight on their own. If you’re not part of the power elite, you should know all the other people the power elite are trying to crush. Find your friends.
- Quit using the word “allies.” Allies are only there in wars, and they are often there by convenience. Find people who just consider you “us.” Anyone who would define you as “them” is your enemy. It doesn’t matter if they want to be politically correct.
- Prepare for the worst, but expect the best. Your attitude will read to other people. If you give up–which is what this situation is causing a number of people to want to do– others will realize you have given up. Also, unless you are in a super-special situation, your acting all pissy and downtrodden won’t impact the people who are causing your pain. Acting like a piece of shit just hurts the people who are stuck in this with you. We need to stay positive.
- At least once a day you need to just do something that makes you happy, whatever it is. Don’t let the outside world in for like half an hour. If you don’t, you’ll lose yourself.
- Stop trusting without making people earn it, but give everyone a chance to earn it. Don’t expect institutions or corporations to put your needs first. Meet people, though, and learn how to determine who is worth your time and effort. Be open, but don’t be dumb about it.
- Turn to art. Storytelling and creation is what can save us. Trust me.
Good luck out there, everyone.