I’m not conflict adverse. I think conflict is constructive. I think whenever we tell the truth to each other—the absolute truth—we might get into conflicts because we are different; our experiences, ideas, yearnings, hopes, disappointments and dreams make us different. When we speak the truth to each other, even if conflict results, I believe something good can happen. There can be clarification. There can be learning. There can be distancing, and there can be coming together. James Baldwin said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
We must face the place we are. Intractable differences. Demonizing each other. Lies masquerading as truth. Inept leaders leading us to hell.
Makes me want to holler.
But not throw up my hands.
I’m not surrendering because things are hard. I am not giving up on us, because there is enmity and conflict.
I’m going to stand up and fight back. Not with fists but with conversation. Not with guns, but with curiosity. Not with violent words but with words that express the truth I believe to be true. Fierce love demands that kind of engagement.
Complicated Thoughts on Harris and Trump
I can’t and won’t tell you who to vote for. But I am going to vote Blue. I agree with Vice President Harris ‘views on reproductive justice—choice. Affording abortion care is important. I agree with what I’ve heard from her on the economy. Quite frankly, I’ve disagreed vehemently with the current administrations’ views on Gaza, and to whatever degree she is party to that, I disagree with her. We’ve been funding a horrific sacrifice of innocent life—war crimes that are genocidal. I think it’s unethical, and I’ve been loud about it.
I admit it is difficult to tell exactly where Presidential Candidate Harris is on Gaza. I think she has spoken both “ceasefire, now” and “continue to support Israel.” Can both of those be true? I don’t know, but I want to. I need to hear and see ceasefire, peace, the end of the violence. No more bombs. That’s my truth. I’ve auditioned her, and I’m praying she is the one who I can work with—who we can work with—to make the nation we want. To make a greater good. Who can stop the reckless wars. Who can, when out of the shadow of Biden, fiercely take us to peace. My prayer. My thoughts. My truth.
I could never vote for someone like Trump, who traffics in lies. His election-denying lie led to the January 6 insurrection, destruction, and death. Lying to cheat on his wives, lying about simple things like the size of crowds and more complicated things like how bleach could cure COVID. He is a sexual predator, and one of his wives has accused him of rape. Trump is a convicted felon who promises to dismantle our democracy. His plan, out of his mouth. My thoughts; my truth.
There is talk of picking the lesser of two evils. Are these people evil? I don’t think so, not really. There is evil in the world. The killing is evil. The lying is evil. The violence is evil. The people? I’m not sure.
But I know this: If we reduce our analysis to who is the lesser evil, we will miss important nuances as we decide our future. What if instead of speculating about “the lesser evil” we ask ourselves, “Who can help us achieve the greater good?” We must each ask, “What is right? What is just? How can there be the greatest good in our communities, in our nation, and in our global neighborhood? Which candidate will partner with our humanity to get us there?”
Those are the choices we make at the polls.
Our team is trying to teach, to open conversations, to write postcards, to canvass, to express what we think love calls us to do in this moment. Follow us to find out. And let us know what you think.
Love you
Jacqui
I agree with "the greater good" perspective aot "the lesser of two evils".
I don't know where that takes us.
What I do know is that the bombings are unconscionable. Full stop.
I totally agree with every word!