Proud to Be an American?

For most of my life, the American people I don’t know have often disappointed me, especially on Election Years. Though there have been some inspiring upswings— first the Clintons and then (especially!) the Obamas— my general sense of trust in the common sense, decency and intelligence of the voters has often felt like Lucy snatching away the football. Against my wish to do so, I couldn’t help but agree with whoever said, “Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people.” Time and again, they proved that right and none more astonishing than the re-election of not only the worst President in our history, but one of the most sub-standard human beings to ever walk the face of the earth. The kind of person—and the people he’s gathered around him and enabled him and voted for him—that makes me ashamed to be in the same species as him. This could be perceived as arrogance, but when you know the facts, it’s an understatement. 

 

So why the above title? As he keeps lowering the bar below the 7 regions of Hell, recklessly and carelessly throwing his weight around because nobody seems able to stop him, there are so many signs that he has finally stepped over the line and people who sacrificed their integrity and sense of decency are finally having second thoughts. (My gosh! Marjorie Taylor Greene?!!!!) Those perfectly comfortable to stay silent and watch their favorite shows knowing no masked Gestapo-like ICE agents will come knocking at their door are suddenly showing up at rallies— in sub-zero temperatures! Even as its clear that that the party atmosphere of the gatherings has turned deadly serious and the consequence could be death. 

 

The artists have refused to perform in Kennedy Center and now it’s closing down for “renovations.” The film reviewers are laughing at the Melania movie. 

Jon Stewart/ Stephen Colbert/ Jimmy Kimmel/ Seth Myers etc. are managing to stay afloat. And then the extraordinary (ie, decent) people of Minnesota, now nominated by a newspaper for a collective Nobel Peace Prize and deservedly so and another movement surfacing in the icy terrain of Maine. A recent General Strike in San Francisco with high school kids out dancing and singing and teaching us the lesson the schools have failed to teach them. No Kings Rallies with over 7 million people in every state and now another one coming that will most certainly surpass that. Music teachers on Facebook whom I know that have mostly asked for a good lesson plan now using that venue to report on the atrocities. 

 

In short, finally it feels like a groundswell of long overdue resistance and people who have never been involved this way suddenly stepping out and speaking out. And what are they saying? Well, the group Twisted Sister wrote the song for them back in 1984:

 

We're not gonna take it
No, we ain't gonna take it
We're not gonna take it anymore

[Verse 1]
We’ve got the right to choose, and 

There ain’t no way we’ll lose it. 

This is our life, this is our song
We'll fight the powers that be, just
Don't pick our destiny, 'cause
You don't know us, you don't belong

[Chorus]

[Verse 2]
Oh, you're so condescending
Your gall is never ending
We don't want nothing, not a thing from you
Your life is trite and jaded
Boring and confiscated
If that's your best, your best won't do

 

We're right (Yeah)
We're free (Yeah)
We'll fight (Yeah)
You'll see, woah-woah (Yeah).

 

My fellow Americans, keep standing up and speaking out and let’s turn this thing around! And for all of you who do, and have, and will, I’m proud to know you!