To say that I am afraid is an understatement. My system has been overwhelmed with concern, fear, doubt, anger, outrage, basically name a negative emotion. Donald Trump, ontologically, is the most dangerous thing that has happened to the USA in a while. I know that for most of us who are just trying to buy groceries, send kids off to school, pay bills, enjoy a little bit of life, etc… the larger concepts of democracy seems like a waste of time. But for me it is deeper than a threat against democracy – it is the fact that we no longer argue in the land of truth. Our respect for the humanity of other people erodes in this context. The lies and lack of decorum, decency and respect for the belovedness of all people is the problem of our moment. And while we can’t change everything, we can center ourselves in the reality and truth that God loves us and that God got us.
As an Anglican, we often are known as the via media people, the both/and. We believe that two things can be true and maybe that means that God is pointing us to a large truth. It can be quite stressful for some and yet it is the theology that I have found the most liberating. Here is the problem, in the church we have started to talk about the both/and in ways that are dangerous. When the Trump camp says that immigrants are eating people’s pets, we equate that to progressive movements that believe in more expansive immigration policies: THEY ARE NOT EQUIVALENT!!!!! One of these is a lie – Trump’s statements. One of these things caused multiple schools to close down and for an entire town to stop functioning for weeks because of bomb threats. And trust me – it wasn’t the progressive movements that caused community harm. You can’t both/and with a lie. There is no via media with hate.
I’m voting for Harris-Walz! I have voted for them because I believe that the ontological is real. Do I want an immediate cease fire in Gaza? YES. Do I want more radical steps to addressing climate change? YES. Do I want a more equitable world where we teach the truth about our history as a country? YES. Do I think that the two party system is broken and both parties have blood on their hands? YES. But at this point one of these candidates I can argue with and find ground for us to move forward, the other is an ASS who represents the worse of America. He is a narcissistic leader and his VP is even worse!
And I am excited to have a Black/Indian woman running this country! I miss the days when my President was a strong representative of love and joy and care to the world. For we US citizens are not the only ones afraid. The world is looking at us like fools They have no idea how this is not a blow out contest. Why would anyone vote for a Trump-Vance ticket? The world is sooooooo confused! And they are laughing at us.
Now I am in rant mode and that wasn’t the original point of this post. Here is what I realized while watching nature do its beautiful dance from autumn to winter. Each morning the sun rises and the sets, the moon does its thing, the stars sparkle, the animals hunt for what they need to survive. We are just one part God’s creation and while we hold a lot of power in the care of this place, it can exist without us. So I have accepted that regardless of what happens on Tuesday, the world will continue to spin and we will still have work to do.
In the meantime, lets relax. Let’s take the night off from fighting and pushing against lies as if they are worth our attention. Maybe don’t glue yourself to the TV and the polls, make a meal with friends and family. For it might be our last supper with some of our neighbors. Treat this cycle like its 1999. If you were there, do you remember the epic dance parties, the connections and joy we found despite the fear that all would fall apart? We can do it again and maybe it won’t all fall apart.
As for me, I am going to a virtual meditation and ballet class with my friend Rev. Julie who runs Faith on Pointe. I voted early and have left the country for the week. And I am trying to take care of myself by limiting my energy to what matters most, caring for my body, those I love and God’s creation. The rest, fuck it!
Pursuing Call 