it's me. hi.
March 17th, 2024
Oh, man, I can't believe I'm about to do this but I'm going to solve all of the division in our truly divided country, right now.
Are you ready for the secret? I honestly should charge for this kind of history-defining information, but I'm kind of a socialist Jesus-type, so here it is, for free.
The next time you watch the news, or scroll the internet, or look outside your window and ask yourself, "What has happened to America? Why are we so divided?", I need you to ask yourself just one more tiny little question. The question is:
"Am I fucking doing that?"
That's it.
And then answer it: yes or no.
Look at your own social media feed right now. Is it who you are? Is it kind? Is it hopeful? Is it inclusive? Is it the kind of words and action that work to unite and create positive change in this world?
Are you getting sweaty reading this?
What are your real life conversations like? With neighbors? With friends? With people who share your beliefs and, more importantly, with people who do not? Are you respectful? Do you listen? Do you learn?
Is any of this creating a pit in your stomach yet?
Instead of screaming into the void about the totally unexplainable way our country is torn on just about everything, scream into your own mouth and ask:
Am I fucking doing that?
Because holy shit it is so hard to be around some of you right now, especially on the internet.
Because you are.
You are fucking doing that.
And I sometimes do, too, and I swear on my dear mother's beautiful life that I am trying to represent who I am better and better every day; I fail, and then I try again, but most days I can turn to myself and say:
I am not fucking doing that.
I love people (even the ones who make that difficult), and I try to be respectful, and understanding, and a safe space regardless of how little some think of safe spaces and their importance in this world.
And if this piece makes you uncomfortable, good. If it makes you mad, great. Be passionate about being good instead of being passionate about what apparent bad you can pass judgement upon, or about fanning flames created by people who just want to watch us burn.
When someone says you've been helpful, or you're a good friend, or you've brightened their day, or you've given them hope, or you've changed their life for the better, you get to ask yourself the question again. And you'll find that the same answer is also the best answer: yes.
I fucking did that.