CARE: Correspondences for American Resistance and Endurance

I tried starting this earlier, but it didn’t really take. So let’s see what comes of a second try.

I’m seeing something more and more as days go by and we get deeper and deeper into the morass of destruction and decay that is the American government. There are lots of well-intentioned people who are each absolutely sure that their approach to all this is the one way we will make it through to the other side. And with that comes the attitude that the approaches others are taking are just plain wrong.

Person 1: “Protests are the way to go.”

Person 2: “No. They don’t work. We need to engage in economic boycotts.”

Person 3: “Hold on. Neither of those things will make a difference. If you want this to stop, you need to rely on our elected officials.”

Person 4: “Elected officials? They’re useless. We need to tear down the whole damn thing and start over.”

Person 5: *wants to do something but is overwhelmed by the dueling possibilities and overbearing attitudes, so they just don’t bother*

I feel bad for Person 5. I’ve been Person 5 quite a bit the past few weeks. It sucks.

But I realized something. Don’t bother telling me I’m wrong. I’ve already been told that. I’m putting this out there anyway.

Every single person who wants to get involved in the resistance against autocracy and fascism has a different background, different skill set, different resources, and different challenges they are facing. And just by virtue of this, there are going to be myriad approaches to our dire situation.

At this stage of things, there are basically two options for each and every one of us: begin the hard (and scary) work with what we have, or don’t do anything at all. Not doing anything at all has a pre-determined outcome: supporting the oppressor. But starting with what each of us has gives us opportunities to test out ideas, see what works, and eventually coalesce the successes with other successes to grow a meaningful movement. 

At least that’s how I’m seeing things at this point. But like others have suggested, maybe I’m wrong. I’ve been wrong plenty of times, so, you know, it’s a possibility. 

What isn’t a possibility for me is waiting around for exactly the right solution to show up, present itself, and carve a perfect path to victory. These are ugly times, and there are only so many chances for any of us to stomp on the head of fascist, autocratic rule.

Yesterday’s Daily Digital CARE Package has been read about 100 times. I’m not exactly tearing up the digital highway here, but that’s about 100 more people that I’ve connected with than I would have otherwise. 

I’ll count that as a win and gladly take it.

MUSIC: Youth Against Fascism by Sonic Youth
A sieg heil-in’ squirt
You’re an impotent jerk
Yeah, a fascist twerp
It’s the song I hate
It’s the song I hate

POETRY: The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
    I heard a Negro play.
Down on Lennox Avenue the other night
By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light
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HEY, KIDS! COMICS!!!: Captain America #1 by Jack Kirby & Joe Simon