My New Flag

Dear you,

Welcome to our here and now, an abominable autocracy scripted by little boys and girls who seem to have lost their humanity, who revel in rounding up innocents and building detention centers called Deportation Depot and Alligator Alcatraz. Childish, like naming a video game or mind-numbing reality TV show. This day, we consider the 800 souls in our nation's capitol, easy targets for their cruel intentions. These are people they see as problems, worthy of prosecution, incarceration, disposal. Have they named this game yet?

All that and more! It has been mind-bendingly sad and frustrating. But today, I have come to a rather simple, logical conclusion: I must let my illusion of "America" go; indeed, I am fully AWAKE, finally. I have, at my core, never bought into the myth of American exceptionalism. I did buy into our possibility and promise. I might find, in time, I buy into that again. But today, after a summer of intellectual and spiritual body blows, I see (yes, see, vision restored) this nation I loved is gone. The majority of my fellow citizens voted for this nonsense. So, for now, I turn away from their flag, the one that was meant to represent liberty/unity,  and recall Langston Hughes: this is still a "gangster nation". The struggle continues. These little body blows I absorb are not fatal. I just have to prioritize the values of staying sturdy, protecting the wild things and the vulnerable. Enforced stars-and stripes-servitude be damned.

Sturdy. And privileged enough to be "safe" from the worst intentions of the MAGA regime. Privileged enough to laugh at their idiocy, tragic though it be. Begin with the culture takedown. Ah, the Kennedy Center. Once this was a place intended to honor art and inspiration. Now, it is simply another venue for Trump's whims; he literally runs the place. Note his choices for this year's honorable winners, notably, Sylvester Stallone (his buddy and political supporter) and the ancient rock band Kiss. Rambo and a bunch of drag queens. Wait, I thought Donald and his Christian Nationalist supporters abhorred drag performers. Seriously, that makeup, the platform shoes, the wigs. Come on, man. That's drag, honey. Trashy and sophomoric, but drag nonetheless. And don't get me started on Stallone.

Well, it is their country now. So be it. Notice I say "now". So, for now, I will not wave their flag. I will stay sturdy. I will walk away from this "explosion" of absurdity. I will create my own flag. My flag will feature the photo above this entry. I love it. I have used it before. It grounds me when myths prove to be simply that, myths. I will honor the creature who always lands on her feet. The creature who struts away from the carnage. She can build a better world. 

No drama, no trauma, no grief. #Resist becomes #StaySturdy.

Wishing you the fine nine lives you deserve!

Joyce