I don’t want to write this article. I’d rather curl up in the fetal position in front of my electric fireplace and listen to my compilation records from Vinyl Moon while the world burns, but here we are. As an English teacher, I taught many, many books about dystopian hellscapes (both real and fictional) and the students always asked, “why can’t we read something happier? This is all so depressing.” 

I can’t disagree. Reading about the worst parts of our nature and the seemingly infinite ways humanity inevitability fucks it all up doesn’t exactly warm the heart. It does, however, bring awareness of our history and our potential futures. It calls on us to evaluate how we would react and what we would do differently. The second question students always asked without fail, “how could people just sit back and let this happen? Why didn’t they speak up or fight?”

Over the years, I mediated hundreds of these discussions in my classroom. Watched as students threw up their hands in exasperation as one real or fictional tragedy after another unfolded before their eyes. It’s easy to decide the right thing to do from the comfort of your living room curled up safely in your jammies with a paper back book; it is entirely another thing to actually be living it. 

I’ve been out of the classroom for nearly 7 years now, but I’m plagued by the memories of these discussions as of late. You can’t scroll social media these days without an overwhelming sense of foreboding and doom - as a matter of fact, it’s actually called “doom scrolling”. Friendships, relationships, and families are being ripped apart by vitriol and divisive rhetoric. People are literally threatening one another with violence, roaming the streets ripping up peoples yard signs and calling for back alley justice. Shock and dismay doesn’t quite cover it. 

I’m not going to candy coat it or beat around the bush, I’ve read Night by Elie Wiesel, The Diary of A Young Girl by Anne Frank, The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer (not once, but many times). I’ve read history and fiction, been to museums, and watched countless documentaries. I have done my damn research, and I can say with certainty that history is repeating itself right before our eyes. 

You know that famous quote by Martin Niemöller that everyone mass shares on social media? 

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

How many times have you thought silently or aloud, I would speak up! I would fight! But dealing with hypotheticals and history in retrospect is immeasurably easier than present tense action. Risking your own relationships, reputation, safety and community standing is scary and deeply uncomfortable. I get it - reality is so much heavier than hypotheticals. 

I think it’s high time we lean into a team lift. Even when you’re tired and afraid, remember: Your courage is louder than their hate. Stand tall, you are not alone in this fight. Your vote is your voice. Period. Full stop. We are in a fight for the fate of our democracy. I don’t care how reactionary that sounds, because it’s the truth. 

I have watched Donald Trump and MAGA twist the narrative through hate and fear. I have watched his speeches, read his tweets, listened to the words coming out of his mouth. He talks about our country with disdain, sings the praises of tyrants and dictators, asks us to look upon our fellow man with distrust and hatred in our hearts. The Republican party has openly expressed that they are coming for the immigrants, the liberals, the LGBTQIA+ community, women’s rights, and anyone who opposes Donald Trump. I will not be silent. 

In person early voting starts in Kansas on October 21, 2024. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that your vote doesn’t count. Even if you are a little blue dot in an overwhelming sea of red, even if you are scared, even if the people you love are spreading lies and hate - you are not alone. This is our chance to amplify our voices, to stand up for the marginalized, to be on the right side of history. In the words of one of my very favorite contestants on Drag Race Bianca Del Rio, “Not today Satan, not today”. 

Thanks for reading! If this post speaks to you, I’d be honored if you to pass it on.

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