“The most vulnerable of us are in danger and need our help. We need to fill this place with hope, as we are at a deficit. Hope building, making, resisting, amplifying good, singing, walking outside, meeting people, trading things instead of using money, fixing our own stuff, petting dogs, saying “hi,” holding doors for strangers, donating, reveling in little successes, watching it snow out the windows, gleefully claiming what is ours. This is not toxic positivity, I’m just not a good enough writer to explain what I’m going through. When the election results were announced my soul just quietly said “no.” I wasn’t crazy about the democrats either (genocide money) and I wasn’t surprised by the outcome, though I had so badly wished for a different one; one with an adversary that could possibly be reasoned with? I had to hope for something. It’s human nature even when you know they are all corrupt and in bed with each other to some extent, you still wanna try to do your best to steer the oil tanker in a direction that will hurt less people. I was not afraid. But I was not afraid in a way that I could not even take the loss seriously. “You cannot have my life, my fear or even my hatred. You have no power over me.” But I keep voting every day with my dollar, and with kindness and with deeds. Some deeds are favors I accept, some I give. This is the currency I am leaning on. ”
–Neko Case, Entering the Lung, 2-17-2025
