Thank you for another masterfully-written, thought-provoking column. My attention strategy of late has been to be more intentional about my sources of information: more carefully-chosen Substacks and news sites, very little cable TV news (almost none at this point); and to be more judicious about engaging with social media. I didn't watch the inauguration, and will avoid hearing and seeing DT as much as I can, especially by avoiding the kind of "Trump Show" reporting skewered in that SNL sketch.
That said, I'm not one to bury my head in the sand. After the election I allowed myself a break from thinking too much about what's to come. In that way I could almost pretend it wasn't happening. That was also a strategy, a temporary one. Tonight I have to face the fact that Donald Trump is again president of the United States. It's a bitter pill.
Here's a poem I keep coming back to; it contains it all: information strategy, brutal reality, optimism...
Good Bones
By Maggie Smith
Life is short, though I keep this from my children.
Intentional consumption, yes--key words for this new Trump era. I'm a fan of Maggie's poem as well. Do you follow her Substack? https://maggiesmith.substack.com/
It is more than ironic that this Inauguration takes place on Dr. King's birthday but the real world ignores irony. Many of my friends have "checked out" since Election Day 2024. I remind them that, despite the new administration's belief that the world centers around them and their policies, best that they (my friends) stick closer to home, to making their communities stronger, more caring, and forward focussed. The sun came out this morning and chances are very good, it will tomorrow, the day after that, and for many years more. We move on! Thank you, Michelle, as always!
For sure. The local is a good place to direct energy just now. I'm returning to hosting regular dinners at home, among other efforts. The sun also rises.
"And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
Thanks for sharing, Wynn. As has been noted, what a shame that the inauguration fell on his holiday. Important to celebrate Dr. King and his moving oratory anyway.
Thank you for another masterfully-written, thought-provoking column. My attention strategy of late has been to be more intentional about my sources of information: more carefully-chosen Substacks and news sites, very little cable TV news (almost none at this point); and to be more judicious about engaging with social media. I didn't watch the inauguration, and will avoid hearing and seeing DT as much as I can, especially by avoiding the kind of "Trump Show" reporting skewered in that SNL sketch.
That said, I'm not one to bury my head in the sand. After the election I allowed myself a break from thinking too much about what's to come. In that way I could almost pretend it wasn't happening. That was also a strategy, a temporary one. Tonight I have to face the fact that Donald Trump is again president of the United States. It's a bitter pill.
Here's a poem I keep coming back to; it contains it all: information strategy, brutal reality, optimism...
Good Bones
By Maggie Smith
Life is short, though I keep this from my children.
Life is short, and I’ve shortened mine
in a thousand delicious, ill-advised ways,
a thousand deliciously ill-advised ways
I’ll keep from my children. The world is at least
fifty percent terrible, and that’s a conservative
estimate, though I keep this from my children.
For every bird there is a stone thrown at a bird.
For every loved child, a child broken, bagged,
sunk in a lake. Life is short and the world
is at least half terrible, and for every kind
stranger, there is one who would break you,
though I keep this from my children. I am trying
to sell them the world. Any decent realtor,
walking you through a real shithole, chirps on
about good bones: This place could be beautiful,
right? You could make this place beautiful.
Intentional consumption, yes--key words for this new Trump era. I'm a fan of Maggie's poem as well. Do you follow her Substack? https://maggiesmith.substack.com/
I didn't know she had one; thank you for letting me know.
Thank you for this.
Thanks for sharing. I'm so glad you found it helpful, Monica!
It is more than ironic that this Inauguration takes place on Dr. King's birthday but the real world ignores irony. Many of my friends have "checked out" since Election Day 2024. I remind them that, despite the new administration's belief that the world centers around them and their policies, best that they (my friends) stick closer to home, to making their communities stronger, more caring, and forward focussed. The sun came out this morning and chances are very good, it will tomorrow, the day after that, and for many years more. We move on! Thank you, Michelle, as always!
For sure. The local is a good place to direct energy just now. I'm returning to hosting regular dinners at home, among other efforts. The sun also rises.
"And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
MLK Jr.
28 August 1963
Thanks for sharing, Wynn. As has been noted, what a shame that the inauguration fell on his holiday. Important to celebrate Dr. King and his moving oratory anyway.