In my Sophomore year of college Pink Floyd’s, The Wall, came out and if memory serves correct, I received that album as a gift. By the time my roommate and I started playing the album over and over, we were both professional stoners and like one of the songs almost always comfortably numb.
Even though Washington State legalized marijuana, since I am still technically working for my old hospital on a per diem basis, I haven’t chosen to numb myself with weed. However, that does not mean I haven’t felt numb lately. The difference is that I believe I am uncomfortably numb this time around. Most of us are.
Every single time this administration does something outrageous, we may take to the streets, yell at the television, post a rant on Facebook or twitter, write a blog, hell, write a book sometimes, and in some cases donate money to the political opponents in the hope of removing that uncomfortable despair we feel. The problem is that we are doing this so often, we’ve become uncomfortably numb to the atrocities.
Some of you may say atrocities is a very strong word, but what other word would you use when Trump says something like this:
- “He got hit on the knee with a canister of tear gas, and he went down, he was down, my knee, my knee, nobody cared, these guys didn’t care, they moved him aside (laughter from the crowd), just walked right through it, it was the most beautiful thing (crowd cheers and laughs)….” The reporter was actually hit by a rubber bullet.
- “You have good genes, you know that right? You have good genes. A lot of it is about the genes, isn’t it, don’t you believe? The racehorse theory. You think we’re so different? You have good genes in Minnesota.” This was said to a mostly white, non-mask wearing crowd. The next step of course is to declare Trump followers, the “master race”.
- “I don’t know that she said that, or was that written out by Adam Schiff, and Schumer and Pelosi. I would be more inclined to the second, okay? That sounds like a Schumer deal or maybe a Pelosi or shifty Schiff. So that came out of the wind. I mean, maybe she did and maybe she didn’t.” This said in reference to RGB’s last wishes before she was even buried.
- Naming only democratic cities “anarchist” and threatening to withhold federal funding (remember the threat to sanctuary cities), the Trump Administration once again tries to do unspeakable things.
- Let’s not forget the famous, ” I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters, okay? It’s like incredible…” The sad truth is that it probably an accurate statement.
- In answer to a question about a peaceful transfer of power, his stock phrase of, “Well, we’re going to have to see what happens,” came out.
All the above quotes have created over 1/2 a nation of uncomfortably numb individuals. This is our new normal. We don’t like it, but other than momentary bouts of activism where we speak out, protest, give money, write blogs or books, we are left with no tangible change.
The sad truth is that we cannot remain uncomfortably numb forever. At some point the pain will be too great and we won’t get to the numb phase after our rants. We might even go straight to despair and then inaction will lead to disastrous consequences. “The price of apathy toward public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” – Plato The form of apathy working it’s magic today is intelligent indifference. Resist that indifference.
I urge everyone to push through the discomfort and not allow yourselves to go uncomfortably numb. Keep writing those blogs, tweeting and posting on Facebook taking to the streets in protest, donating money if you can, helping others get to the polls or registering to vote, and by God, vote, please vote.
Every time I hear the advice to remain apolitical because it may affect book sales, I want to scream in frustration because the stakes right now are simply too high to give a shit about that (not that I ever really cared much beyond making sure my publisher doesn’t lose money on my books). I have to do everything I can to fight for our rights…how can I not? Recently, I posted that all of my royalties for One Shot at Love will go to candidates that will help flip the Senate and put Biden/Harris in office. I am pushing myself every day to stay fired up. If you can help and get a great book in the process, I hope you will consider buying One Shot at Love. Every little bit helps.
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Annette Mori 
Annette, as I read your blog today I cheered (inwardly) at many of your points. I am so fearful that 45 will find a way to steal this election, just as he did in 2016. Every time I get a text asking for a donation I donate. I post articles on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks1
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Excellent! We all need to do whatever we can! Thank you for not letting apathy take hold!
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