By Luck of Being in Service of What I Do, I Had the Privileges of Being in a Cave for the Entire Day Yesterday. Another One Today. Perhaps I am Thankful.

What a tricky period of history to be a participant. In my viewpoint of the world, all of this was 100% predictable. I've watched it build, probably through my entire existence, and have made predictions about what it might look like. 

It is disgusting. I knew it would be bad. It's worse than my imagination. 

Those who stood behind it, defended it, advocated for it, and upheld it...well, I stay apolitical as much as I can. That's not how I operate, what I hope for, what I stand for, what I work to advocate. I've shrugged my shoulders and thought, "hmmm. What can I possibly do to keep you from adding to the evil of humanity? The work is deep. The personal pursuit of knowledge is complex, and the journey to question EVERYTHING in your life is immense. Still, I watched. I saw. And I was curious. How are you doing/advocating/thinking what you are? That's how I've tried to roll.

You either do it. Or you don't. You are either on the side of equity, justice, democracy, and hope, or you're not. At this point, there's no in-between. We see it rawly. We watch it. We observe it. We know it. You are who you are. Period. And, I'm a pile of absolute donkey doo-doo. I get this. Like so many others, I'm sure I'm quick to become the enemy. Truth is, I will die, too. I will be the same piece of shit as you.

Still, there are certain things I stand for. 

I stand for democracy. I stand for story-telling. I stand for the military of the United States that has made my life possible (including grandparents all the way to nephews), I believe in a rule of law, court systems, the media to hold us in check, and academia, who peer-review ideas and complexities, only to make sure the most accurate truth goes forward. I stand for honesty, truth, the Statue of Liberty, justice, hard work, possibility, and the beauty of super-diversity. I stand for immigration, refugees, hope. I stand for grace, respect, dialogue, and anti-righteousness.

We are a nation of brilliant people, yet there are many who think they are brilliant, only because they have never, ever, put themselves in the company of those who have subjected themselves to a tradition of truth, integrity, promise, and commitment to what it means to truly be American. They hide behind mediocrity, criminality, racism, insecurity, depression, misery, misguided belief systems, and false religions. In their hearts, they know who they are. They advocate for everything we've seen these past four years. They think they are advocating for America. They are not. They do not. 

I am not religious, but I pray. I pray for the souls of everyone and anyone who claims to know that they are superior and right, when they see...SEE...what occurred in the greatest nation EVER on their watch. I've seen it all go down and stayed out of it. This is a manipulated, intentional, deliberate plot against America. The nimble-minded were persuaded.

I am pro-teacher....pro-kid....pro-military...pro-police...pro-unrepresented voices...pro-Black Lives Matter...pro-school...pro-Democracy...pro-critical thinking...and pro-excellence. I'm pro-America...the United States. There is no counterpoint. At this period, you are either on the side of beauty and possibility or against it.

I am OFFICIALLY anti-the bullshit. It's enough. You see what you see, you support what you support, you live as you live, and you reap the results that you believe in. Shame. Shame. Shame. We allowed this to happen.

I always wondered what would become of a Jerry Springer, WWE culture in the United States, and then we had history reveal EXACTLY what it would become.

Truth: I have been hidden away for 24 hours in a cave reading the awesomeness of great minds, great thinkers, wonderful writers, and pro-American advocates. I come out of it - a 14-hour commitment without technology - and see the world as it is. 

Shame. Shame on all of it. People knew better and I really want everyone, including me, to revisit EVERYTHING WE BELIEVE.

This is us. 

I, too, am a cause for this. It's bulllshit. I should have called it out more (even those I love most and who supported it). Get a library card and read. Better yet, get a history degree, learn your shit, and put your racist bulllshit behind you. I'm done. This is ludicrous. And if you think you know better, go ahead and write the book to prove me wrong. When I read it, I will listen to you. 

Otherwise just shut up.

It is all too obvious now.