This historic time
This election year will, no matter what, be a critical chapter in our living history. We must influence its outcome, before it is too late.
Watching the presidential primaries is like reading the history of the mid-twentieth century leading up to the second world war: there is the same sense of disbelief, of asking “how could they allow this to happen?”
Only it isn’t “they,” it is us. Or it could be.
We could allow a self-avowed wannabe dictator to take the highest office in the land, even after mountains of evidence demonstrating his role in an insurrection, his alignment with foreign adversaries, his fraudulent business practices, and his abuse of women. Even as his speeches use the language of dehumanization and genocide, of internment camps and deportations. All of these red flags are waving frantically, and yet thousands of voters line up to support his candidacy.
The party lining up behind him is increasingly extreme, promoting lies, tolerating and even encouraging violence. Their leaders are open about their intention to create a theocracy. They use mis- and disinformation campaigns, knowing that they do not have a majority of voters supporting their actual positions.
If we were reading about this in a history book, we’d be shaking our heads, clucking our tongues. “How could they not have seen the signs? How could they have been taken in? Why did they not act sooner?”
Our job is to do everything we can to make sure the history of this era leads to a different set of questions: “How did they mobilize to protect all the people, to protect the planet, to protect their democracy? How did they overcome the propaganda with truth? How did they work together, across their differences, uniting in the purpose of freedom and justice for all?”
This election year will, no matter what, be a critical chapter in our living history. We are able to influence its outcome. We must lean into our influence with strength and compassion, and above all, together.
Be safe and well, and thank you for your company through this historic time.
Oh,dear. You say it all so succinctly and articulately, Elizabeth. I find myself watching documentaries on World War ll as if I’m looking for some clue as to how we can get out of this nightmare. Do we humans have to live it again!? Thank you for telling it like it, unfortunately, is—and for your sane voice.