What Kind of World Do We Want?

I have been trying for weeks to assemble my thoughts into something worthy of writing here, in this space. I have found it difficult for so many reasons. My imposter syndrome has often gotten the better of me, by forcing my brain to think that I had nothing of value to share, that I am not enough. However, my heart is at a breaking point, beyond anything I thought possible before, and I’d like to share this with you today. This will be a departure from my typical writing, so please forgive me for derailing from the usual track. That track just doesn’t feel as important as it was before.

For those of you who are newer to the blog, I have lived in the Southwestern United States for about half my life. The other half, has been spent in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. My house is near downtown Minneapolis. To say that I am scared for my family- my husband and kids- would be an understatement. But I am so proud of my community. Regardless of political affiliation or views, I deeply believe that we can all agree that what is happening at the hands of the US government is not ok. It’s not normal, moral, just, legal in most cases, or humane. They are attacking us. Minneapolis is no exception. They are conducting raids, violent suppression, and worse, all over the country as I type these words.

I have been digging deep into my fragile psyche to find some spiritual balm for the hurt, and I seem to be coming up empty. There is no salve that will quiet this burning inside my chest. I am so angry and deeply saddened by the tragedies that are unfolding this very minute across the country. Families torn apart, communities rallying together to protect their vulnerable neighbors, citizens being gunned down in front of onlookers, the federal government vilifying the helpers. It is a world I have never known in my lifetime. Many of us have not experienced this. 

As Americans, we are generally safe from this type of tyranny. I acknowledge this privilege. I am equally aware that many of my neighbors and community members have not had that luxury. Many of my classmates growing up were refugees from Cambodia and Laos, of the Hmong ethnic group, where they fled their homelands to relocate in the frozen state of Minnesota. Many of our neighbors are from various African countries: Somalia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria- who again fled war and famine, to be welcomed by the true melting pot of Minnesota. This area of the nation was settled first by the Native Peoples: Dakota (Sioux) & Anishinaabe (Chippewa, Ojibwe), and then by French fur trappers, as well as immigrants from Scandinavia- the same that called Canada home. 

Minnesota is a melting pot, where all the people bring their heritage and their ingredients, to take care of the larger community. It has not always been peaceful, nor has it always been just. It has been complicated, messy, and ever-changing. We have seen the damage to humanity when lives are snuffed out too soon. When the light of our collective conscience has been dimmed. 

I am proud of the community. I am proud of Minnesota. I am proud of the resistance I’ve seen from all corners of the US. I sincerely hope that we do not lose it, lose the momentum, to building a better place for us all. Our systems are broken. It’s so clear to see. It is up to us to fight for the world we want to inhabit. For what all our ancestors fought for throughout the ages. What do we want to leave our descendants? Do we want to leave them a world where people who disagree can be harmed with impunity? Do we want to leave them a planet choked with poisonous air and water? Where do we draw the line? Where do we go from here?

I will leave this rambling message with one final question: When is enough, enough?

Thank you for reading.