.
That’s my TED talk for today. I’m over all the shaming that implies that if you’re not doing all the things someone else thinks you should be doing then you’re not doing enough to stop the fascist regime that’s taking over our country. We’re all in the same boat and all the responses are valid, especially the ones that BUILD community instead of creating even more layers of stratification and binary us vs them hoo-hah.
Heidi has this week’s Poetry Friday roundup at my juicy little universe.
Post written on Thursday, but edited now on Friday morning to add:
I support (100%) what Gavin Newsom and other Democratic governors are cooking up right now, which is a bit two-faced of me, since they are DEFINITELY using the “us vs them binary” in quite a powerful, in-your-face way. I guess the difference in my mind is that they are shaming the ones who actually deserve it, while us little folk without the power they wield, need to keep doing what we can with who we are and what we have. And in a way, they are doing what I advocate: building a community of leaders with the hutzpah to fight back.
A(nother) Year of Reading 
Thanks for this, Mary Lee. The title is perfect, as is the blaming, finger pointing rhythm of that repeated “you and you and you and you.” Ugh. Why is it that we turn so quickly to fracturing and dividing rather than uniting and building? Thanks for your wise words today, and everyday. Here’s to building community!
LikeLike
The other day I met with a 19 year old poet who was writing about how hard her grandparents had it during war time. I reminded her that things are tough now. And she smiled and said, “Oh, yeah.” I remember how my father used to yell at the newspaper. Thanks for sharing this powerful poem and giving me your hand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“here’s my hand, hold on”
Yes, and thanks, Mary Lee.
I get and relate to what you’re saying in your Friday morning edit — I also support those actions 100%. Those with power can’t keep bringing only “strongly worded letters” to the fight and think they’ll make a difference against the insanity of this regime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
a powerful poem. It speaks so directly, rather than around the problem.
Thanks for sharing your passion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mary Lee, the shouting is getting way out of line. Your voice is strong and I am thankful for your thoughts about the strange way OUR government is moving. Thank you for extending your hand to those who wish to stay above water.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mary Lee, wow, thank you for the reminder that we are all in the same lifeboat. Here’s to continuing to use what we have and do what we can. I’ll take your hand. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much shouting. I’m appreciative of all the ways people are responding, but I don’t appreciate the shaming. We are all in this together and I’ll take any hand I can get, especially yours.
LikeLike
My dear uncle, who was more like an older brother used to talk about being quietly subversive. He was a progressive thinking minister and academic theologian, so this quiet subversiveness became an essential skill. Your poem speaks to this particular notion, Mary Lee. It’s a thought provoking presentation. Getting shouty all the time wears out its welcome pretty quickly. We deal with these challenges as best we can. On occasions, remaining silent can be powerful and equally calling out injustice and bullying requires us to speak out. The skill is in knowing which approach to adopt in any given situation.
LikeLike
Alan, I appreciate what you’ve shared about your brother here.
jan/bookseedstuio
LikeLike
Thank you for your passion, Mary Lee, and for the lifeline. I’m holding on, barely.
LikeLike
Every bit of this, every bit! I’m all for what Gavin’s leading but particularly I appreciate the parody messaging, which to me is wildly effective for being hilarious and also calls out the lunacy we are trying to combat (no shade on the Moon; s/he can’t believe it either.)
LikeLike
Mary Lee, You have some wise words here. I love the end of your poem where you extend your hand. We need more of that. I also agree that we all need to do what we can, what we feel comfortable (and maybe a little uncomfortable, too) doing to resist what is happening to our country. This week, I witnessed a civil well thought-out conversation between a friend of mine – my age – 61 and my son, 25 about politics and the messaging that is being done in this country. It can happen – civil discourse. And even though these two people both dislike what has happened and have not supported the current regime, they look at how it happened to come into being from two different angles. It was both interesting, inspiring, and hopeful to witness.
LikeLike
I really appreciate the candor re: what’s happening in CA. I am conflicted, too, yet see value in using the tactics we have available. I worry about what will happen if we all –every state — plays this way. And I suppose it’s not even a guarantee the tactic will succeed. So many if’s… But at least it’s doing something! As is your poem!
LikeLike
Hi Mary Lee! It’s tough when we already don’t feel like we’re doing enough to hear someone else say we’re not doing enough! I am grateful for people who lead and for people who follow. Everyone of good faith has a role to play. xo
LikeLike
Gosh Mary Lee, Every week every family is likely learning of some loved one affected deeply by the drastically changing difficult, divisive, policies, loss of funding & general emotional depression – it’s enough to keep up with your own folks, your own town, your own region, let alone tackle anything else. Thank you for this smile, this hand up. Hugs.
LikeLike