My fellow citizens knew what would happen. We lived through Trump’s first presidency. We were told what was coming over and over, by everyone from the most left-leaning Democrats to Republicans and former Trump supporters like Liz Cheney, Adam Kissinger and Joe Walsh. And yet … a majority of us still voted for him over a smart, competent Black woman running on the most progressive Democratic platform in history.
We now have few options and fewer opportunities to stave off full-out authoritarianism. Democrats are the minority party in Congress and only have limited possibilities to slow down the insanity pushed by the administration. At this point, we must protest en masse … and by “we,” I mean my fellow white people.
If we white people had voted blue in a bare majority, we would not be here.
In Stephen Sondheim’s landmark musical “Into the Woods,” the lead character tries to run away from the disaster he is partially responsible for, crying out “no more!” Later, though, he comes to grips with his complicity and guilt, and his “no more” becomes indicative of his determination to never let it happen again.
We broke this. We must fix it. I would never be able to look my children in the eye again if I sat back, did nothing and hoped everything would work out.
For my children, for all the children, I must do my part to preserve our democracy. That’s why I’m participating in the No Kings march on June 14.
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