I often avoid P&E because I’m know going to see something depressing. So rather than curse the darkness, I’m going to light a little candle (to coin a phrase).
I just came across this quote from author Rebecca Solnit, and it was too good not to share here:
Hope does not mean saying this is not bad, and it does not mean saying that we can defeat it. It just means saying we will keep showing up. That we will not give up… we do not know how it will unfold, and neither do those we oppose.
In other threads in P&E, I’ve tried to urge people who are feeling hopeless or discouraged to take some form of action – attend a rally, join a political group, even just donate some money. Because the authoritarians want you to believe that it is useless to resist. And if you do, they’ve won. Pessimism is self-fulfilling.
Solnit encapsulates the opposite view beautifully.
Another quote I saw recently:
Don’t do nothing just because you can’t do everything.
I’ll add that fighting back feels good, and puts you in touch with others who feel the same, which is itself reassuring. And you won’t have to be ashamed when your grandchildren ask you what you did to stop Trump.
So this thread can be your place to share positive news from the world of politics, to share what thoughts and ideas have encouraged you, and to tell us how you have decided to do your part to save the world.
As Rick said, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful thread.” Or something like that.
