Levity is always my instinct, even in the face of true horrors. Finding respite from the horrors is important, so we can draw breath and continue fighting.
But at some point our yells need to pause for us to breathe, so we can continue to yell and make ourselves heard. That's where the levity usually comes in.
Like many of you, I've been finding comfort from reality (for awhile now) by indulging in romantasy and fantasy books. Good always triumphs over evil, the tyrant is overthrown, and women are believed and respected?!
Shouldn't those things exist beyond fantasy books?!
Did the explosion of romantasy/fantasy books actually come at a really fortuitous time? So many of these books involve banding together to overthrow an evil ruler! Bringing diverse people together to help each other and the cause!
Yes, sometimes there's spice and interestingly-shaped cocks, but at the end of the day [most of] these books are about good overcoming evil.
There's so many awesome characters to be inspired by! They may have different methods, but they have the same goals*. We've literally been prepped for this through all our books! It's time to embrace our inner Aelin!
Small actions DO make a difference (just ask Frodo!) and whether it's calling your local representative, boycotting companies who support this administration, or just keeping your head on a swivel when you're out and about; it helps.
It's easy to get consumed by your own little world sometimes but now more than ever we need to keep our eyes peeled and be ready to protect and help each other.
Anything is better than nothing, and I refuse to be part of their manipulations to divide us.
I had to take a test to become an American (side note: I'm not sure everyone in the administration would actually be able to pass this relatively simple test, which says it all?) and these weren't the ideals and promises that I learned about.
This is tyranny.
I don't usually like bringing reality into my little fantasy world here, but I want to be clear where I stand and how this will continue to be a safe space.
Silly business as usual will resume.
*Sure, a lot of these books end with some kind of benevolent monarchy or Bryce's Political Science 101 democracy but that's not the point. I wish there was a clear leader we could all rally around because it feels so scattered or weak right now. Where's Aragorn when you need him?! (Probably busy working on his tax policies for GRRM. Sorry. I warned you about my levity habit)
