Like Cathy, I've shared your thoughts, so beautifully expressed here. In fact, I've been aware since I was an adolescent and first read "The Diary of Anne Frank" and her reference to Miet and Kraler "risking their lives for us every day," that I wouldn't be so brave as to risk my own life or that of my family. In line at a store, I wouldn't be complacent either, and I might take a video to document how ICE was treating the undocumented person. But I'm afraid I do know what I would do in a real-life situation. Fortunately, there's action we can take that doesn't risk our lives--less heroic but still of some value. By the way, we should all take out our new 2025 calendars and mark December 10th noon to 1:00 pm for The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Day, which our SF supervisors voted on in 2014. (The document itself was adopted on December 10, 1948.) I was astonished by the small turnout this past December 10th when we took turns reading aloud the 30 articles on the steps of City Hall--not risking our lives but speaking out for the lives of those threatened by the election results. I hope there will be a huge turn out this December.
I’ve been having the same thoughts in my 76 year old head when I wake up at 3:30, plotting revenge and hoping for the worst things to happen to the worst people. This does me no good and them no harm. In a real life situation, what would I do?
Thank you, Leah. All of this, well said. The Orange Failure will fail, if he is not already in that process. His plan to send away children born in this country is a clear violation of the 14th Amendment, which he was elected to protect and defend, and therefore makes him worthy of arrest and trial. Keep writing, please. And I hope you'll look at mine at terenceclarke.substack.com.
Thank you, Leah. Many, myself included, are grappling with these issues and choices. I’m planning on applying for a ‘passport card’ to carry with me, proving my citizenship in case of an arrest (at a protest rally?) We must continue to fight.
Wonderful post. Just like many of us have recently thought through “if there’s a fire, what things do I take when I flee?” perhaps we should think through “if I witness an Ice arrest/police brutality, what do I do?” I suspect there are organizations that offer training for such situations or at least an FAQ. You have prompted me to look for them.
We're in uncharted territory. Since the 1960s, our generation has (often) babbled about fascism, with little expectation that it would assume full power. Now -- in our seventies and eighties -- we're confronted with the real thing, in all of its brutal, violent extremism and willful ignorance. And it's very difficult to know what to say, much less what to do -- all the more so because half of the American electorate shares Trump's hideous views and supports his efforts to destroy anything and everything that might suggest the slightest nod to justice or humane reasoning. It's a cop-out to say (or think) that we need only sit out the next four years, because there's every reason to fear that Trumpism will outlive Trump. As Dante wrote in the darkest hours of his own life more than seven centuries ago, ""mi ritrovai per una selva oscura, ché la diritta via era smarrita". Each of us is now in a dark forest, where the path ahead is obliterated..
Could not agree more. If we can’t realize how dark these times are, we won’t ever turn on the lights. Jerry, in next room, has radio on. I just heard the term “mass deportations”
Thank you for giving voice to what I have been contemplating as well. I think a lot about what is the thing/occasion/moment that will make me put someone else's needs ahead of my own self-preservation, and there really isn't any way to know. I do think the more we wrestle with this, the easier, or maybe clearer it may be, if/when the moment comes. Or maybe not. These are times that each of us gets to find out who we are, and we may not always like what we find. :-( So, we have to have a lot of humility, grace, compassion for ourselves and others, but also support each other in digging deep and finding bravery when the time arrives. Thank you.
"I've been Mick Jaggered and Barry Sadlered too" are lyrics that suddenly flood my mind as I read these wonderful responses. I'm 78 and joked "my goal is to out live Donald Trump but after the first week of his 2nd term, I'm losing the will to live". I recently contacted a fellow Vietnam Vet who served with me as a Green Beret 67-68 and is as disturbed with the results of this election as we (why no demand for a verified recount?) who even in failing eyesight and is a national award winning marksman said, "let a Proud Boy knock on my door". I guess until I leave the country the best I can do is use words for bullets and lament my Cassandra status.
I left my beloved San Francisco 20 years ago for Mexico before the huge onslaught of USA escapees fleeing south as is the case today. I am watching out of the corner of my eye what they are going up north as looking directly into the chaos will burn my soul to ashes. As I peek at headlines from the sweetness of this country, I am aware of the sister of, the nephew of, the grandparents of, the friends of some of my staff and acquaintances here. The ppl are helpless, as they were during the Spanish, French, Russian and North American invasions. Their fatalistic approach to life saves them suffering on one level for there is little they can do but watch and wait and go about their daily lives. You too ponder and find there is little you can do. Now we see how the Germans did nothing. What can anyone do but anguish really? Street demonstrations in Trump's Era? Imagine how the NRA would love that!
The Rebellion is not dead as long as there are those courageous enough to speak up and be heard in whatever forum is most comfortable. I'd like to think that if I was in that hypothetical checkout line and ICE came for the person behind me that I would at least make an attempt to say loudly "WTH" and see if the agents were simply robots carrying out orders or did they believe they were in the "right". Every small act will have a reaction, like that tiny stone thrown into a pond. Eventually the ripples will join up and become big waves. Keep us the "good fight.
Leah, I think that's why I opened with "whatever forum is most comfortable". My "doing something" is more along the lines of commenting on the writings of Heather Cox Richardson and Jay Kuo as they are the most intelligent and forthright (and nationally recognized) commentors today. I consider you to be one of my "down home super smart people" and someone eminently more relatable. The more we can do or say to get people THINKING instead of simply accepting the "inevitable", the better off we will be.
Like Cathy, I've shared your thoughts, so beautifully expressed here. In fact, I've been aware since I was an adolescent and first read "The Diary of Anne Frank" and her reference to Miet and Kraler "risking their lives for us every day," that I wouldn't be so brave as to risk my own life or that of my family. In line at a store, I wouldn't be complacent either, and I might take a video to document how ICE was treating the undocumented person. But I'm afraid I do know what I would do in a real-life situation. Fortunately, there's action we can take that doesn't risk our lives--less heroic but still of some value. By the way, we should all take out our new 2025 calendars and mark December 10th noon to 1:00 pm for The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Day, which our SF supervisors voted on in 2014. (The document itself was adopted on December 10, 1948.) I was astonished by the small turnout this past December 10th when we took turns reading aloud the 30 articles on the steps of City Hall--not risking our lives but speaking out for the lives of those threatened by the election results. I hope there will be a huge turn out this December.
Yes!
I’ve been having the same thoughts in my 76 year old head when I wake up at 3:30, plotting revenge and hoping for the worst things to happen to the worst people. This does me no good and them no harm. In a real life situation, what would I do?
Thank you, Leah. All of this, well said. The Orange Failure will fail, if he is not already in that process. His plan to send away children born in this country is a clear violation of the 14th Amendment, which he was elected to protect and defend, and therefore makes him worthy of arrest and trial. Keep writing, please. And I hope you'll look at mine at terenceclarke.substack.com.
Thank you, Leah. Many, myself included, are grappling with these issues and choices. I’m planning on applying for a ‘passport card’ to carry with me, proving my citizenship in case of an arrest (at a protest rally?) We must continue to fight.
Every small act matters. The small acts build momentum so we are more likely to act if a bigger act is required.
Ah, but to figure out what the small act will be
Wonderful post. Just like many of us have recently thought through “if there’s a fire, what things do I take when I flee?” perhaps we should think through “if I witness an Ice arrest/police brutality, what do I do?” I suspect there are organizations that offer training for such situations or at least an FAQ. You have prompted me to look for them.
We're in uncharted territory. Since the 1960s, our generation has (often) babbled about fascism, with little expectation that it would assume full power. Now -- in our seventies and eighties -- we're confronted with the real thing, in all of its brutal, violent extremism and willful ignorance. And it's very difficult to know what to say, much less what to do -- all the more so because half of the American electorate shares Trump's hideous views and supports his efforts to destroy anything and everything that might suggest the slightest nod to justice or humane reasoning. It's a cop-out to say (or think) that we need only sit out the next four years, because there's every reason to fear that Trumpism will outlive Trump. As Dante wrote in the darkest hours of his own life more than seven centuries ago, ""mi ritrovai per una selva oscura, ché la diritta via era smarrita". Each of us is now in a dark forest, where the path ahead is obliterated..
Could not agree more. If we can’t realize how dark these times are, we won’t ever turn on the lights. Jerry, in next room, has radio on. I just heard the term “mass deportations”
Thank you for giving voice to what I have been contemplating as well. I think a lot about what is the thing/occasion/moment that will make me put someone else's needs ahead of my own self-preservation, and there really isn't any way to know. I do think the more we wrestle with this, the easier, or maybe clearer it may be, if/when the moment comes. Or maybe not. These are times that each of us gets to find out who we are, and we may not always like what we find. :-( So, we have to have a lot of humility, grace, compassion for ourselves and others, but also support each other in digging deep and finding bravery when the time arrives. Thank you.
What a wise comment. Thank you so much
Thank you, Leah. You captured universal agony in magnificently simple words. ♥
So good to be in touch
"I've been Mick Jaggered and Barry Sadlered too" are lyrics that suddenly flood my mind as I read these wonderful responses. I'm 78 and joked "my goal is to out live Donald Trump but after the first week of his 2nd term, I'm losing the will to live". I recently contacted a fellow Vietnam Vet who served with me as a Green Beret 67-68 and is as disturbed with the results of this election as we (why no demand for a verified recount?) who even in failing eyesight and is a national award winning marksman said, "let a Proud Boy knock on my door". I guess until I leave the country the best I can do is use words for bullets and lament my Cassandra status.
Well THAT sure is a wonderful response. Thank you
If confronted by a scene you described, I hope I would act.
All sworn officers do what they must: follow orders.
Did the SS officers know those they arrested would be slaughtered? Of course.
In 2025, this fact remains.
So, how can we NOT act? Get arrested. Maybe lose a home. Or worse.
It’s so easy to sit here, comfortably in 2025 and say, “Oh, of course, I would have acted in the 40s.”
Hoping I will now.
I share your hopes. Thanks for responding
I left my beloved San Francisco 20 years ago for Mexico before the huge onslaught of USA escapees fleeing south as is the case today. I am watching out of the corner of my eye what they are going up north as looking directly into the chaos will burn my soul to ashes. As I peek at headlines from the sweetness of this country, I am aware of the sister of, the nephew of, the grandparents of, the friends of some of my staff and acquaintances here. The ppl are helpless, as they were during the Spanish, French, Russian and North American invasions. Their fatalistic approach to life saves them suffering on one level for there is little they can do but watch and wait and go about their daily lives. You too ponder and find there is little you can do. Now we see how the Germans did nothing. What can anyone do but anguish really? Street demonstrations in Trump's Era? Imagine how the NRA would love that!
What an amazing response. I don’t think there is nothing we can do. I just hope I am brave enough to do it
Tell me. What can one really do? We didn’t stop the election results. That in itself was proof. I’m curious and hope there are answers.
My family was hidden by brave Europeans in the 1940's. It is the sole reason I am alive. Whom will I hide? How will I manage this?
Exactly my questions. Your story is one of my
Motivators
Thank you for saying that. You are still one of the top benefits of getting up in the morning, you know.
I know you won't stand by and do nothing, Leah. I'll come and bail you out.
If it turns out I have the guts to do something arrest-worthy, I will be insufferably puffed up with myself upon release
The Rebellion is not dead as long as there are those courageous enough to speak up and be heard in whatever forum is most comfortable. I'd like to think that if I was in that hypothetical checkout line and ICE came for the person behind me that I would at least make an attempt to say loudly "WTH" and see if the agents were simply robots carrying out orders or did they believe they were in the "right". Every small act will have a reaction, like that tiny stone thrown into a pond. Eventually the ripples will join up and become big waves. Keep us the "good fight.
Thanks for thoughtful comment. Can’t predict how far I would go, and it’s making me miserable. Easy to say; what’s hard is actually doing something
Leah, I think that's why I opened with "whatever forum is most comfortable". My "doing something" is more along the lines of commenting on the writings of Heather Cox Richardson and Jay Kuo as they are the most intelligent and forthright (and nationally recognized) commentors today. I consider you to be one of my "down home super smart people" and someone eminently more relatable. The more we can do or say to get people THINKING instead of simply accepting the "inevitable", the better off we will be.
Brava!