If 2020 has been the longest year ever (and it certainly feels like it), then the last week has been the longest week ever. Everyone’s been used to elections being called within hours of the polls closing, so it figured that 2020 would change things up and make us learn once again the values of patience and persistence.
At 11:25AM on Saturday, the AP declared Pennsylvania for Biden/Harris and suddenly, everything changed. I cried. I smiled, too, but mostly I cried, releasing a depth of tension I hadn’t let myself truly admit over the last four years. I felt hope that America has decided on a new direction.
Instead of divisive rhetoric, chants of “lock them up” and dog whistles of racism, last night I listened to a man and a woman with specific goals, with energy to tackle our biggest problems in American, and hope that we can do those things. But most of all, what I heard was that we’re not perfect by any means, but we ARE stronger together than we are divided.
So as we move forward into this new morning, let us figure out how to talk to each other again. Let’s figure out how to dismantle structural racism, provide decent health care for everyone, and truly make America the shining light of liberty and hope we all want it to be.
Sit down with friends, with neighbors, with people you don’t really know. Let’s talk AND listen and figure out how to fix things. Some of it is spending time, some of it is donating to causes that work for social justice and changes, and some of it is listening to others speak their truths.
It won’t be easy. It won’t be fast. And it definitely won’t be perfect. I don’t know how we’ll do all of it. What I do know is that I’m ready to begin.
Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.
Mary Oliver
Donna Drury says
Congratulations from Canada. I have avoided traveling to the USA in my camper van for the last 4 years and am looking forward to crossing the border in the future with the knowledge that half of the population, at least, want a civil, just and safer society. You are an excellent example ! Thank you for your ongoing sharing of your art and your life, even in the really difficult times.
Annie says
Hi, Donna. I hope you feel welcome to come to the US next year (once the new leadership gets things under control). I’ve enjoyed my Canada travels and hope to get back over the border in 2022.
Annie says
Ingrid, that book looks very good so I bought it to read myself. Thanks for the recommendation.
chapter3travels says
You described yesterday perfectly. Such a sense of relief, and the tiniest bit of hope – an emotion many of us haven’t felt in far too long. My inner cynic is pessimistic about how much will actually be accomplished with the cast of characters populating the senate these days, but at this point, just getting that toxic menace out of the White House is good enough for me.
Annie says
That last sentence, so much yes. Just getting someone in who uses science to make plans, and communicates without tweets will be a vast improvement. I remain slightly optimistic that some wrongs will be righted, but it will take work. I’m thinking how I can help effect change while being on the road and not part of a physical community (town, neighborhood, etc.).
Constance says
You shared all of the feelings so many here and around the world of us have endured…and then felt. Thank you or the beauty of your words. Yes, I am ready too!
Cindy Buhner says
Ah, Annie! You found the nail and hit it right on the head. I, too, am ready. Let the work (together) and the changes (together) begin!
Much love, my friend!
Cindy
Jennifer Salem says
Thank you! “Purple” conversations are so important these days.
Nita Sweeney, Author says
Thank you so much. I love your thoughtful commentary here. I feel the same. So tired of the fighting. So ready to breathe again. And the images you chose—perfect, especially that top purple one. I keep looking at the purple map. It helps me realize we are not so different. https://purplestatesofamerica.org/