I came into this week fired up about writing this blog post. I’d watched the amazing documentary, Thirteenth, had been listening to a ton of new, critical rap that tied in amazingly to the film, and was energized to write on these topics. I still want to share those resources with you (and I will, here), but my brain is hyper-focused and processing the events of last night. This post is most likely going to be garbled, and I’m sure you’ll understand why - but I’m working towards wrapping my brain around the next four years!
Last night solidified what voices matter in America today. On one hand, we esteem higher education, and on the other, make it unavailable to people of all racial backgrounds, systematically. As a result - we all suffer. The majority of people in our country demonstrated their lack countrywide and global empathy. As Americans we adore junk food, quick fixes, blind faith, dreams. We showed that in this election.
Last night’s results bring to light the suffering in this country, and highlight the disparity between those who have technologically advanced, and communities who are desperate, and have been left in the dust.
The hypocrisy and rhetoric of this entire election have been sickening. Desperate communities, seeking advancement, put their trust in someone who is the antithesis of progressive improvement. He can speak t e that to act in favor of social justice. Stacy, I look at you and your passion for serving veterans, Chelsea your respect for the homeless, traumatized, seeking safety through substance, Noah, your articulate presence and passion for arts, Tonya, your fierce energy for mental health justice, Jana, your expertise in prevention and policy, and Paula - whose professional mission is to energize students about participatory policy and systemic change - we need it all. We are too educated and too privileged to not put our passions into activism and practice.
The soundtrack to this blog post (sorry for the language... but it is worth it to hear the unedited versions).
AMAZING lyrics in each, and worth a close listen.
