I've lost some blog followers. I see their blogs, but they no longer come and visit me. And I know why. But it still stings, you know?
People want to be "non political". But we are in that moment. You know the one? Where silence is siding with the oppressor.
My blog is not about politics. And if I wanted to read blogs about politics, I could find many where I could do so. If you wanted to read about politics, you wouldn't be here. I write about my knitting on Mondays and my job Wednesday through Friday.
But I can't not say something. We are in that moment. This past weekend was the second No Kings protest, and it appears that lots of people turned out. Good.
Things are bad. They're getting worse.
And I hear people talking about not letting a difference in politics ruin relationships.
But, you see, if you're siding with the oppressor, we have a fundamental difference in core values. If none of what they have done thus far bothers you, I have to question what sort of person you are. Concentration camps are okay? Masked kidnapping is okay? Bombing innocent fishermen is okay? Sending troops into cities is okay?
Make no mistake, they're all criminals. The regime. And even though the media seems to be sane-washing him, he's making less and less sense. Those around him are doing the harm they want because they know how to make him believe them. He's a puppet for those with brains in their heads and cruelty in their hearts.
This week I was reminded of the poem "First They Came". The poem resonates as the man who wrote it lived it. He didn't care about the people they came for first. He was all in with that regime. Until he was the one targeted.
And, make no mistake, they will come for you, too. If you aren't white, male, and rich, they don't care about you. They will use you to further their ends (and keep power) until they no longer need you.
So, I resist now. And I speak.
We are not alone. More of us are disgusted by this than support it.
Too many people don't realize how bad things truly are. They turn blind eyes to it. It hasn't touched them yet. It will.
So, while I am sad for those that no longer visit, I have to understand that they're supporting things that I vehemently oppose. Which makes me happy that you're still here. We agree. And we can fight together.
Well said. It's all so exhausting.
ReplyDeleteJamie here: Sorry I haven't been commenting more, but I'm still here! So sorry that you've lost followers.
ReplyDeleteI'm more sad about who's gone rather than being sad about numbers.
DeleteThis is Birgit. I so agree with you! I don’t understand why there are not more mass protests. Against this evil that has taken over. Where are all the Democrats and even the Republicans who vehemently disagree with all this nightmare? I just don’t understand, but, maybe, like my friend, they see this as something that can’t be changed which is sad.
ReplyDeleteWhat sucks is that we still have to go to work and pay rent and buy groceries and just get on with living stuff while all this is going on. If we could just skip the life stuff, perhaps more of us would have time to fight back.
DeleteI prefer not to discuss religion or politics on FB or my blog only cause what I feel might not be what they feel and then they have to have a come back and it starts a little snip back and forth. I don't care what they think of my thoughts, but I will at least respect their thoughts, but not talking about them! But, if I go to a blog or a post that some wishes to talk those things, then that is their right, I will not slam them about their thoughts or choice. And you know me, if you lose me for a day, a week and month, you know that is just me. I am not a routine sort of person.
ReplyDeleteI understand. I’ve lost friends over politics. But we are living in scary times.
ReplyDeleteJamie again: This is why I try to avoid political blog discussions. I just had to share those pictures from the protest, though.
ReplyDeleteIt is exhausting. I find I need a break from news maybe more than others do - it's not that I don't care. I certainly do, it all feels overwhelming sometimes? Your now and again political posts clearly come from the heart, I appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteEverybody has what they can handle. Some can handle more, some less.
DeleteHugs.
ReplyDeleteI know a young disabled person, who told me he knows (not thinks, knows) he'll be one of the first groups to be locked up. My conservative brother hasn't emailed me in a long time (we rarely phone each other), and I wonder if he's ashamed to admit he voted for Trump. Or, knows how it's harming people and doesn't want me to mention it? Doesn't care so long as it doesn't effect his life? I'd be sure to ask if the cuts are what he wanted, including his own nephews being impacted in their jobs, as both work in schools, although at opposite ends, one works in elementary, one in an ivy league.
ReplyDeleteIs he ashamed? Or would he defend those actions. I'm finding a lot of people are actually okay with the things that are happening, which is all the more troubling.
DeleteI grew up with survivors of the Holocaust I always wondered how it could happen there. Now I know because it is happening here. Not exactly the same way, but as the same goes, history doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes . History is rhyming like crazy right now. autistic brother-in-law is frightened and I wonder if he even knows what has happened in the past to people like him. I am also a caregiver to another family member and my time can be limited, which is why I may not comment on your blog same day, but please be assured that I am still here. I have family members who have participated in no kings and I’m with them in spirit. But spirit isn’t enough anymore and I know that.
ReplyDeleteWe still have our responsibilities, so being with the marchers in spirit is all some of us can do. (Donating to causes helps, too.) I'm not concerned about same day comments. I'm talking about people who haven't commented in months.
DeleteI grew up listening to my mom and dad's stories about Mussolini's fascism and the war in Italy from the time I was not even born yet. Those stories are awful, of course. I heard enough of that, and I hope that voting and resisting will pull us through here. I prefer not to express anything online when I read political posts or news. I stay quiet and observe. I can just saythat I agree with everything you write, and, like I tell my friend who "voices" a lot on social media, only people who agree with her will read her thoughts (the other ones will leave). She will not convince anyone to change their mind. I guess she likes to vent, and that is ok. So just know that I read your political posts, but I will be quiet.... I am a "very-few-words kind of person" anyway. My friend always teases me about that. She came to Italy with me one time and I had to translate every conversation. When my mom said a long sentence to her, complimenting her for something, and my friend asked me what my mom had said, I would respond: 'She said 'good'!". She still talks about that... :-)
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