5/17/2020 Our commonalities
Many of us are thinking about the millions of people around the country and the world who have lost their livelihoods. The rapid increase in unemployment and underemployment staggers our minds and hearts. I know my privilege of being able to stay employed and work remotely informs my perspective.
We have these commonalities: we want to be safe and healthy, and to keep our families safe and healthy. We want to be able to provide for ourselves and our loved ones. We want to breathe clean air, drink clean water, eat food that nourishes us. We want to be treated fairly. We want the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive.
We witness this administration and its enablers violate these common wishes at every turn. Fairness is a fantasy. Health takes a back seat to image. Opportunity constricts to serve only those who are willing to demonstrate unthinking loyalty. "Leaders" do not lead; they divide, and seek to conquer.
However, there is good news: We cannot be divided without our consent. We can choose not to believe the "us vs. them" stories peddled by those who would conquer. We can recognize our commonalities and insist on both/and solutions: preserving the health of the American people and preserving the health of the American economy are not two contradictory options. They are, in fact, the same.
This is no time to back down from our vocal, loud, passionate insistence that our government live up to its mission to be by the people, of the people, and for the people. "For the people" means for all the people. From our county commissions to our state legislatures to Congress and the administration, each elected representative swears to uphold this mission, and we must hold them accountable.
This robust democracy is chaotic, messy, difficult, and beautiful. It is in our hands. Let us hold it softly, strongly, and never let it go.
Sent with love and gratitude,
Liz
P.S. I encourage you to take about half an hour to witness the heartbreaking, heart-lifting stories of Americans dealing with the pandemic, told through their own words and images, on this special episode of PBS's American Portrait. It is a must-watch for anyone who wants to deepen their appreciation for the reality of life during this pandemic.
https://www.pbs.org/video/in-this-together-a-pbs-american-portrait-story-soqemo/