Fighting without guns

The U.S. Supreme Court is on recess (i.e. on vacation). Thank goodness! It has done so much damage over the past few weeks, throwing this country back by decades, that one would almost wish they didn’t come back from their summer recess… What other damage this once-trustworthy organ of American democracy could bring to this country — and the world — I’m just too worried to even imagine. 

Years ago at a dinner with some friends we were talking about what other periods of history we would have liked to live in, and why. And I said I would have liked to live in the 1960’s – 1970’s to see and be part of all the groundbreaking political and social revolutions that started and took place then — to be part of those battles, actively. 

Well, it looks like it might have been wishful thinking, a case of “be careful what you wish for — it might actually come true”… 

With the tragedy of mass shootings becoming as frequent as sneezes in allergy season and no political effort to ban or limit fire arms. With the limitations and restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on environmental protection. With women stripped of the right to abortion. With the rights and lives of trans & queer people constantly threatened and attacked. With the looming threats and active attacks on the homosexual/non-heteronormative communities. There’s enough material for plenty of battles, with no need to go back to the 1960’s or 1970’s. 

I’m worried and angry. 

I can feel my instinct of hatred grow towards these discriminative, narrow-minded, hyper-conservative rulings made in the name of power and privilege of a small group who has always had power and privilege. 

But I also know that hate only breeds more hate and misunderstanding. That activism means dialogue with the other parties and sides: it means bridging gaps, trying to create understanding and inclusion among all, for all. 

I’m here to stay and I’m here to fight. To fight this battle not with guns, not with hatred, but with dialogue and “anger […] used for growth” (as Audre Lorde and other great persons have taught us).