I ration the amount of news I consume these days, though I’m intentional about ensuring the balance and veracity of my sources (veracity being of fierce, nonnegotiable importance to me).
And we are, undeniably, in a very precarious time in American history. I wish we weren’t. I wish all my convos with you boys could be about art, and food, and Oakie pics and ridiculous cat memes.
But, like my parents and their parents, ad infinitum, my responsibility is also to model the values and beliefs and behaviors I hope to impart to you two, the greatest treasures I will ever know. Ever.
So I will be honest and open, and yes, active, when I see injustice - large and small. When I see power go corrupt. When I see leadership turn petty, vicious and stupid.
Saying that a plane crashed because the pilot was a DEI hire is stupid. Posting a video of people in handcuffs and chains being loaded into a cargo plane for deportation and calling it ASMR, is, purely, a dick move. Giving an unelected civilian unfettered access to deep, private information is insane. Posting your picture on social media with the caption, “Long live the King,” is a threat to our democracy. This is our President, and his White House. These are the facts.
So! Governor Pritzker of Illinois' State of the State 2025 speech both speaks to my real aspiration for our country and the reality that we do, in fact, have to choose which side of history to be on. And we do, always, have to be moral and just. We must stand in the way of fear and division. We must be accountable and truthful. And we must be of service to anyone, and I mean ANYONE, who is in need. With my one wild and precious life, I choose love. I choose hope. I choose grace and justice.
I hope you will take the 4 minutes to watch him advise us to be aware and accountable to what is happening in our Democracy. It’s inspiring and motivating and real.
I love you sweet wingnuts more than you could possibly fathom.
Mama.
