Heh... get it? 😄
Well, I'm still processing, still angry and still here. There have been some issues that have come about that I cannot be silent about. I apologize to those that find it triggering but I cannot stay silent anymore. The first part, if you missed it, about the election and why I'll have the puppy giveaway in Dec. is
HERE.
Sore Loser?
With people being named for important powerful positions the fears of many people are now becoming real. This isn't about being a "sore loser" it is about REAL fear coming true. The #notmypresident protest is partially about not being able to support someone who ran on abhorrent ideals. They cannot say that the racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic rhetoric he spouted during the campaign is ok in any way at all. However there is real value in questioning (not demeaning) the protest and reminding people to not resort to violence. He is the president elect. We must now turn toward vigilance against
demagoguery, racism, misogyny, and hate. Turn your energy toward that. Call your representatives.
Need more reasons people are afraid? Let's start with just a couple of the people that will be a part of his team. One member of the "transition team" under Pence that Trump has named. He is
Kris Kobach. He penned one of the most racist legislation to go through AZ requiring that people looking a certain way to carry papers to prove that they are US citizens.
Steve Bannon who has been named as the White House Chief Strategist is the other worry. He has been known to have had Trump's ear throughout the campaign. Both have been known to work with white supremacists (who have come out as happy for this appointment) and Bannon even has a website with white nationalist, anti-semitic, and misogynistic views called Breitbart. Even Paul Ryan (who actually seemed reasonable at times during the campaign but has recently refused to decry Bannon) has just decreed that
Medicare will become privatized. And yes, there is still no solid plan to replace the ACA. No, I don't believe that parts of it will stay and I will not count on it. Those that he is moving into place want to eliminate it first and decide what to do about it later. I do still hope to be pleasantly surprised but don't believe it will happen. They won't allow it.
There are other reasons that are coming to light that have confirmed the fears of a lot of people. This is just a tiny bit of it. So, no, it is
not the same thing as when Obama took office. He did not run on a campaign of exclusion (even if you felt that way, his campaign still didn't run with that rhetoric). He extended a hand, many people feel that Trump has already extended a fist. It is hard to give someone a chance when on the campaign trail people did give him several chances. They would try to correct him by telling him he really didn't mean "that", they tried to help him understand why what he said was painful. His response was to double down on his initial argument. As I said before in my last post, he has already hurt people.
There is also the social reasons to worry. This article also echoes some of my sentiments:
It's Not Melodramatic to Fear for Our Safety.
And to those that compare one hate against another, know this: There is no contest to be won and anything done out of hate is just plainly wrong. That kind of comparison is used to distract from any real discussion. Any reasonable person would denounce any sort of violence. You already know that.
This is one of a million explanations, articles and social media statuses explaining why people feel this way. This should no longer be an unknown factor as to why people are reacting in this manner.
Also, I would like to address one thing that has been coming across from all sides of the equation. It is that the liberals were somehow silencing the radical conservatives. I want to make it clear, right now, that the predicament we are in is the fault of EVERY US CITIZEN even if the reasons for that fault are different. I also firmly believe that many didn't say who they were voting for because they knew that to side with the horrible things Trump was saying was wrong even if that wasn't why they voted for him. I think this tweet actually sums up how I feel about this issue:
And still, I do think they deserve a seat at the table. I want them at the table. They are valuable because they are human. They deserve their non-hate fears and issues to be heard. I have heard that people felt bullied into accepting change, so let that be your topic but change your tactics. We can't force anyone to sit at the table and you can't force anyone else to accept what we see is hateful. Let me also make this clear: I've not talked to one person who believed that everyone who voted for Trump was racist, sexist or against LGBTQ groups (and yes, I know that person exists but they aren't the majority). However...
The Positives
Yes, I do want to always include these. Not so we ignore the negatives, but so we can increase the positives.
Heard of the #safetypin movement? There have been some legitimate criticisms of it. One opinion is HERE. While I agree with some points of the article, I do believe that there is value in it. Another thoughtful article is HERE which actually reflects more of my view of the safety pin. Don't wear one unless you actually plan on helping someone in some manner if they have experienced marginalization. It is supposed to be a pin of action. Action doesn't mean confronting a dangerous person (that may not be safe for anyone involved), but it can mean just sitting next to the person and coming forth with words of support. Bearing witness (filming) and be willing to become a witness in a police report. Make sure the victim is okay. Also, realize that this does not give you permission to become a bully yourself. Do not become the monster you are fighting. Also, don't expect someone marginalized to feel safe because you wear a pin. I see it as more of a signal that you do not support what is going on. Your actions or lack of action will define the rest of your statement.
✨Let me give you an example. My mother, who is a person of color, was getting some very angry stares and was even confronted in a angry way while going to the grocery store. We had arguments about her going alone while the election was running and after an angry confrontation she finally started taking my dad to the store with her. After the election we were all more nervous and she agreed to still take my dad with her. All 3 of us have been wearing the safety pin. My mom has seen a shift in attitude. She noticed that someone would see the pin and then they would be extra helpful. We were first worried it would have the opposite effect. I'm thankful that they made sure my mother felt welcome. So, it even works in "reverse".
✨People are donating money to Planned Parenthood in Pence's name.
✨The ACLU is seeing record support and will be stronger for it when fighting for our rights.
✨Various leaders in different states are standing up to what he has proposed (like mass deportation and I think the list will get longer as it goes on- both in leaders and in issues). The governor in my state has already drawn a line in the sand about mass deportation. I suspect he will also reject registration of different groups as well (yes, there is historical precedence for similar legislation in my state and the rejection of it).
✨There is a way to get your representatives to hear you. Remember they represent YOU even if you voted for the "other person". Check out Emily Ellsworth Explains How to Get Congress to Listen if you haven't seen it yet. Yes, I have already called about the Bannon and Kobach appointments.
✨People are paying attention to some of the wrongs going on in reservations in the US. Standing Rock has gotten attention. The level this one is at is unprecedented.
✨Consider this: Shedding light on what was already present but hidden in the shadows is a GOOD thing. Sometimes things need to get worse before it can heal. It is the nature of a lot of things. You cannot heal what you do not acknowledge.
✨The Obama/Biden memes:
Heh... I needed these, I don't know about you. There are also a lot more out there. People keep makin' them! 😂 Share 'em if you got 'em. *snort*
Getting back into the Groove:
So, back to some reviews...
I've not been reading although I do have some reviews of books I've read and reviewed but not posted. I just cannot find the ability to lose myself in reading. I needed more stimulation so I decided to binge watch Jessica Jones who just about everyone was praising.
Yea, this was fabulous. Just dark enough for my mood but doesn't drag you deeper. Jessica is the perfect anti-hero and the introduction to Luke Cage was perfect. David Tennant plays the perfect bad guy and it was also a series that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You won't get bored with this one. It had me from the first episode. Warning to some people who don't like it, it does have sex and violence in it.
Of course then I had to binge Luke Cage:
Okay, I was so happy to get some background on Luke. Plus the gratuitous shirtless parts he had to endure wasn't too bad. 😉 My only problem with it was that despite the diverse cast it still had very stereotypical aspects to it. I also didn't quite feel the danger until about episode 8 although the mystery of Luke was preserved and kept you wanting to know more. He was pretty invincible until then and that aspect of danger was needed to bring his character out fully. I also didn't like it when he was a womanizer but when he started to trust he shined and you will swoon. I still want him together with Jessica (the other show totally ruined my idea of him with someone else) but I did like the other possible romantic relationships he might have. Darn it. LOL Also, same warning as Jessica Jones.
I'll be hitting Daredevil next even though it was a bit backwards. It's the fault of those that wanted me to see Jessica Jones before that one. Yea, that's it... their fault. LOL There will also be other Netflix episodes of Marvel characters and some are supposed to work together in other series. If you have been liking the superhero movies then do try these. They are addicting.
💥
PS. Please do SOMETHING. Call your representative. VOTE in the next election. It could even be more crucial to vote in 2 years than in 4.
It's your superpower.
