I've just popped my second dose of anti-anxiety medication. I am
compelled to continue writing, as I attempt to process the enormous quantity of
events of 2016 thus far, let alone the prospects following the outcome of
the U.S. elections.
Despite the conciliatory, almost Zen-like tone of my previous
post, I continue to suffer from generalized nervousness, insomnia and worsening distraction. I
believe to be exhibiting signs of post-traumatic stress. The last time this
occurred was in September 2001. Loss and grief on an individual level is very
different from when you are simultaneously the dead and the grieving - and today,
that's my larger societal perspective. Continue reading, I will finish on a
positive note, I promise! Then again, I could be lying.
John Oliver must have
read my post from November 11 because on his show yesterday, he admonished my statement,
and rightly so, that continued sunrises and the earth spinning does not set a high
bar for humanity. If I continue to remain short-sighted in thought (my optic
myopia has been corrected with lenses), I can perhaps remain appeased by my
shaky belief that the American powerhouse of a system will continue to run
efficiently and steadily. The election outcome was supposedly decided by: (1)
unhappy, non-college educated white people disillusioned by government; and
(2), aging baby boomers living comfortably with Social Security, Medicare and
pensions. People wanted change...and an old rich white guy in power is so
very different from the last 240 years. They've effectively gifted their
grandchildren with the ravages of climate change, poor education, and
encouraged a world view shaped by reality shows streaming on all 3 of their large-screen
HDTVs, barefoot and pregnant.
I personally know people who
support Trump. They are college-educated. They represent a sub-group and the
sample size is small, but that’s all I have available to me, statistically
speaking. We have exchanged words on several issues. Please note that I did not
say it was an exchange of ideas because remarkably, I was the one with all the
questions. Here’s what I’ve gleaned from our conversations:
Heading the list of ideas is the belief that because Trump is a
political outsider, he alone can change the system. What needs changing I ask? Lobbying for one, and I will easily agree with that. Give me more, please. I am told
that the criminals who are here illegally (illegal being a euphemism for
Mexican) should be weeded out and expelled, and this concern is directly linked
to drug trafficking. Seriously, this is number 2 on the list? Can you name 5 cultural
groups that speak Spanish? Could drugs be coming in from anywhere else? (Admittedly, I did not ask these last 3 questions) My goal is not to minimize
drug-related crime and violence, it's definitely a concern, but statistics are
tricky. First of all, the data has to be reliably sourced, and even then there
is a margin of error. I took 3 university-level statistics courses, so I
consider myself more knowledgeable than average. You just have to take my word
for it because it would take you too long to fact-check, and more importantly,
it doesn’t show up on Google. When people are shown numbers and statistics, they
can tell which number is lower or higher, and occasionally, which leaning is
favorable. Maybe they understand percentages; I barely do when they are
once-removed. What’s 27% of 65%? Right. When pushed on issues regarding race,
gender and the environment, dismissal is the go-to reaction, which of course is not an
answer. I am told that Trump just said those things to win the election. So you’re
saying that in order to win the U.S. elections, you must cater to people who don’t
care about human rights and the future of their progeny? From an evolutionary
standpoint, that’s a recipe for extinction, but then again, that’s just a
theory. How about taking advice from a known white-supremacist? Again, I am
told he’s supposed to be a good guy. Yes, I understand, you mean like my rapist
friend here? End of conversation.
So yeah, the American people just got fucked (pick a hole) by a
T-shaped dildo. Let’s hope it's in lowercase. Also, Trump better stay alive and
well because his chosen successor is quite possibly even less
palatable.
 |
| ©Andrea Corwin |
Where’s the positive in all
this you ask? It’s in the cracks. This election was won through the Electoral
College system, not the popular vote. What can I say to my American friends? The U.S. Presidency is
not impervious to peaceful uprisings and demonstrations. Practice daily acts of
defiance and kindness. Get involved. Donate time or money to a cause or
organization you believe in. Slowly but surely, the cracks will widen and you
won’t realize that your medications have kicked in. Just kidding. Don't close your eyes. Force the
light through. Make America Sane Again!
