Finding purpose in America: Be decent. Be earnest. Don't lose your capacity for shock and sorrow.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

Great op-ed in my local newspaper:

...In some ways, I think the only thing surprising about recent events is our capacity to remain surprised. Decent people still feel grief and outrage at the sight of human suffering. I find this simple, communal fact oddly comforting. We are not alone. You are not alone in your sorrow.

...

The gleefully cruel do not own American patriotism. They don’t own the flag. The flag is mine, too. It belongs to my family, and to the families of brand-new immigrants, and to our children, who have to inherit this mess.

Hold on to your earnestness. Hold on to your empathy. Hold on to your sorrow. Call your legislators. Donate to organizations that are holding corruption and evil to account. Actually talk to your family and your neighbors — in person. Don’t retreat to partisan echo chambers. Speak the truth.

Earnestness hurts. Engagement hurts. Sorrow hurts. But it’s necessary, if we are going to reclaim our democracy from this degradation. Don’t let your heart grow hard. We are in this together.

http://www.startribune.com/finding-purpose-in-america-be-decent-be-earnest-don-t-lose-your-capacity-for-shock-and-sorrow/512277192/

[brer cat]

1. Encouragement in these dark days.

Thanks for sharing.

[teach1st]

2. Excellent

An excellent piece of writing, and something we all need to hear. Thanks for posting.