A Utah Boy Goes Global

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” he said. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand."—The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

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Social Media Submission: The Salt Lake City Resistance

Utah has long been considered a conservative and Republican stronghold -- and for good reason.  Aside from voting for FDR four consecutive times (1932-1944) and his successor Harry Truman, Utah has only cast its collective voice for a Democrat twice.  The last time was in 1964, when the Beatles held the top five slots in the Billboard Top 40 and gas was 30 cents a gallon.

But the winds of change are starting to blow.

Located in the heart of Utah is Salt Lake City, a liberal, democratic nucleus with an energy and a passion that would surprise even the most ardent social activists.  Salt Lake has a population that is young, urban, and well-educated.

Currently, they also have a population that is taking to the streets to make their voices heard:

Photo Credit: M. Prestgard-Duke

President Trump’s most recent executive action banning the entry of Refugees into the country did more than just offend people -- it mobilized them.  Thousands of people marched to the Utah State Capital on February 4, 2017 to let the state legislature and the national government know that they would not let this happen without a fight.

Utah has an incredibly large refugee population, one that greatly enhances our community character, and brings strength and diversity to our great city. Refugees are our neighbors, our teachers, our classmates, our friends.

Photo Credit: M. Prestgard-Duke

To deny refugees sanctuary from the violence, aggression, and fear they are facing is not only cruel, it is also hypocritical.  The United States is a nation built by immigrants, and based on the ideal that everyone is welcome and anyone is capable of achieving greatness.

I have spent most of my life in Utah, and that has meant that I often have been disillusioned with the national presence of Utah.  However, I am continuously impressed by the people of Salt Lake City.  I am empowered by them. I am beyond proud that so many citizens of this great city are willing to show up and speak for the voiceless.  We will fight for equality, we will fight for justice, we will fight for freedom, and we will fight for those that need our help.

We will not go quietly into the night.

Photo Credit: A. Scheinok

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University of Utah Football games are best from the nosebleeds :) Living it up with the fam: @hold_the_bunz @optic_x16 @andy_tee_s @jjdoane @0410warner @jyosharm Photo Credit: M. Prestgard-Duke #universityofutah #uofufootball #nosebleeds #muss #football #saltlakecity #801 (at Rice-Eccles Stadium)

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Children playing with bubbles in Kuantan, Malaysia. Many thanks to @afandi1991 for showing us his beautiful country! Photo Credit: M. Prestgard-Duke #Kuantan #malaysia #travel #adventure #wanderlust #utahboygoesglobal (at Kuantan)

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"Sticky Waterfall" in Chaing Mai, Thailand. Mineral deposits give the rock underlying this waterfall a porous texture that also resists algae growth, so you can just cruise on up! Photo Credit: A. Bennion #stickywaterfall #BuaTong #chaingmai #thailand #travel #adventure #wanderlust #utahboygoesglobal (at Sticky Waterfall)

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Got to spend the day with these magnificent and gentle creatures. Many thanks to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary for providing an ethical environment for the experience. It was amazing to feed, romp in the mud, and bathe with happy and healthy elephants! 🐘 Photo Credit: A. Bennion #elephantjunglesanctuary #chiangmai #thailand #travel #adventure #wanderlust #elephants #🐘 #utahboygoesglobal

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Architecture and colors of Bangkok. Many thanks to Canale Hostel for providing the excellent view in addition to good company. Photo Credit: M. Prestgard-Duke #Bangkok #thailand #canalehostel #travel #adventure #wanderlust #utahboygoesglobal (at Bangkok, Thailand)