Election Day
Today is Election Day here in the U.S. Early voting has been open and many votes have also been cast by absentee ballot. We are in the middle of a pandemic. There is social unrest and economic hardship. No doubt this is a historic year.
Over the past four years, my connection to news, social media and politics has waxed and waned. Sometimes I was deeply involved, while other times I stopped following the news at all and learned what was going on only from those around me. (As an experiment, I also traded my smartphone for an old flip phone).
Always trying to find the hidden meaning, I began to look for the conspiracy behind each event. I learned though, that conspiracies are a self-fulling prophecy - everything becomes a conspiracy. This is a very negative outlook that I adopted; it doesn’t allow for hope.
When the protests began following the death of George Floyd, my whole perspective shifted. I saw injustice everywhere I looked. I couldn’t look away anymore. By attending community solidarity meet-ups, I learned how to help fix the problems. First, I listened to my neighbors experiences. Then, I educated myself on social issues to environmental. I learned about my local and state governments. I listened to podcasts and watched documentaries. I became involved.
I am inspired by the strength of the community in this neighborhood and this city. What began with protests against police brutality has become much more. People want change in all areas. Recently I learned that protestors chained themselves to a fracked gas pipeline which is currently being built in our neighborhood. People are still involved and still fighting. The actions of normal people who try to make our country (and our world) a better place gives me hope.
This year has been tumultuous. I've learned a great deal since lockdown began in March. I am not apathetic as I once was. I am involved and I will continue to learn. We are all responsible. I want to do my part. After this election is over, the fight for better will continue.
KW