I’ve struggled to write about anything political in this space for a long time, mostly because I’m disillusioned. As much as I want to satisfy all my Tea Party stalkers by regretting my support of Obama, I don’t. I actually think he’s doing a damn fine job considering the craptastic hand that was dealt to him by the Bush Administration and a Congress full of people who ironically don’t believe in government’s ability to function so they completely hinder government’s ability to function as a kind of “I told you so”. That’s what’s disillusioning. I don’t 100% support everything our president has done thus far, and I’m certainly frustrated with what he hasn’t done. But my anger is directed elsewhere. → continue reading
Howard Zinn died. He was an author, historian, teacher, and tireless activist for peace and civil rights.
I first read his most famous book, A People’s History of the United States, in college. This book was pivotal to my own radicalization; it was the first major work I read that questioned history as it was presented to me in school. I learned from Zinn that there are multiple sides to every story, and the story is told most often is probably the story of the oppressors. I learned from Zinn to question institutions and authority. He will continue to be one of my intellectual heroes.
We were not born critical of existing society. There was a moment in our lives (or a month, or a year) when certain facts appeared before us, startled us, and then caused us to question beliefs that were strongly fixed in our consciousness – embedded there by years of family prejudices, orthodox schooling, imbibing of newspapers, radio, and television.
– Howard Zinn, “Changing Minds, One at a Time”, in: The Progressive magazine, March 2005
I have disengaged somewhat from politics since the end of the election season because I was both burned out and just wanted to sit back and see what happened post-election. As predicted, the GOP, particularly the far right, has collectively lost its shit and *gone rogue* in the most hilarious, yet frightening, way possible. This makes me sad, because, while I love schadenfreude with my all of heart and soul, I also love intelligent discourse, and that seems to have gone out the window. This is what happens when people’s entire rhetorical strategy is to talk the loudest. I can imagine how frustrating it might be to be a conservative who actually wants to talk about policy and issues, not hyperbole and misconceptions. → continue reading
