Heads High!

I never thought the day would come when I would be genuinely frightened at the state of our country. There has been talk of government censorship of the media, which terrifies me in and of itself. Coupled with the evasive speech of big-name politicians, a cloud of uncertainty has tainted the nation.

Right now, we are in transit. Nobody is sure of what will happen, regardless of what side of this page in history you’re writing on. Although I’m an advocate for unity, I can’t help but feel that social unrest is sometimes very much necessary to achieve the best outcome. Pride fills my heart as I think of all the women who stepped out today and marched on the streets of nearly every major city in America.

Peacefully. Strongly. Heads high and shoulders back.

It is so easy to fall into a pit of hopelessness right now. It is so easy to say that what is done is done and there is not a single thing we can do about it.

Allow me to give you the facts on that statement: It’s false. What is done is done. However, there are still ways that we can fix this! Write letters, make phone calls, donate! Put your voice out there, even if it’s uncomfortable for you.

Sure, people will tell you to keep your mouth shut, stop complaining, don’t be a sore loser. Too bad. Hey man, I’m not a sore loser, I totally accept the outcome of whatever the hell is happening. That does not mean that I have to agree with it or just follow along sitting pretty with my mouth sewn shut.

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Here are some things you can do to fight (peacefully) what you don’t agree with:

“We want YOU (to fight for what you believe in)”

1. MAKE ART. Write, paint, record music. This is how we get at the heart of people. Art is unimaginably powerful.
2. CALL. Call your local and national representatives. Let them know what you’ve got issues with, why you have issues with it, and maybe brainstorm some ways to fix it.
3. WRITE LETTERS. Sometimes calls don’t work. Write a letter or an email and send it. Relentlessly. Several times if you have to! Voice your concerns.
4. DONATE. Find a cause you believe in and contribute! We can’t always be a part of something physically, but if you have money to spare and an internet connection, this is so easy and SO worthwhile.
5. SAY SOMETHING. If you see something you don’t like, say something! Assuming you have lungs, a brain, and a working mouth, there is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t say something. (Unless it puts you in a dangerous situation. Try non-emergency police).
6. LAUGH. If we lose our sense of humor then what in the hell do we have to live for? Sometimes the most effective way to get your message across is to do it in a way that seems non-confrontational.

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KICK ASS, YOU GUYS (figuratively). I am full of hope and pride today. I’m going to hold onto it for as long as possible and I hope you do too.