Last night I was scrolling through Twitter and saw pictures of Syrian refugees. Babies with frostbite. Terrified people. HUMAN FUCKING BEINGS. And I just wept for a really long time.
It's not fair. It's not fair that some of us have so much and others have so little. It's not fair that I get to sit here in my warm house with a full belly while there are so many people that are literally fighting for their lives.
I just feel like I need to tell you... I know all this fluffy stuff I post is meaningless. When I think about all the struggles people face, writing a stupid blog seems so shallow. This isn't the first time I thought this, but I guess it's the first time I am straight up telling you my feelings.
I really just wanted to to know that. I know things aren't good. I know this blog is frivolous. And I know we all need frivolous things in our lives.
How lucky we are that we have time for frivolous things.
In our current times, maybe this poem needs to be readjusted:
ReplyDeleteFirst they came for the Climate Scientists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Climate Scientists.
Then they came for the Women, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Woman.
Then they came for the Muslims, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Muslims.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
I spend so much time being so sad over what is happening right now in our country. I stay up at night thinking about Syrian children and wondering if they are getting enough food or a warm bed. I've looked up if it's possible to adopt a refugee child (I would in a second if I could), but it's not. I've always wondered if I had been in Nazi Germany (as a German), would I have been Schindler, or would I have been too afraid? Well, I am not afraid, but I don't know what to do. Sending money and protesting doesn't seem like enough. I wish there was more that I could do and I don't know what it is. It does feel like frivolous stuff is such a privilege, but I think in this time in the world, I need some frivolity to stay sane.
lol I left trade, so it says trade woman. Lol. That made me laugh very hard.
DeleteMegan, I know how you feel because I feel it too. It's sadly normal to feel this way because I've spoken with so many other people who feel the same. I feel like it's my second job to stay abreast of the news as much as I want to tune it out because it makes me so sad or angry several times a day. I wake up, make my coffee and immediately check to see what news broke while I was asleep. During then day at work I compile a list of articles that I need to read in the evening when I get home. It's seriously like a second job and just like a job it has to get done.
ReplyDeleteI'm honestly getting to the point where I wonder if I'm more upset at the people who are "waiting to see" or the people who are seeking inaccurate information in all the wrong places. I mean at least if they read FOX they are in their own way trying to be informed.
The comment Kerry posted is just so spot on. Being part of the conversation is so important .... and donating is important ... and calling our reps is important ... but what's next thing we can do?
My friend Brittany, who has lived in Africa and Egypt and has worked with refugees for over a decade, watches the Kardashians. People sometimes judge her for that, but her response is always that she needs something completely frivolous and silly at the end of her days because she spends so much time hearing about rape, death, torn families, etc.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with having a frivolous outlet. I know I get to see another side of you, being your FB friend, but I'd hope all our readers understand that we are more than workouts.
Like I said last night, you're not alone. There are millions of us in this together. And it's going to keep getting bad, and it's going to take a long time to make a difference and be heard, but every little bit counts and we are not going to stop fighting or standing up for what's right.
I read a post about some small, practical things we can do...there are 7 countries being blocked; Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Go to restaurants of the 7 countries, support the owners, thank the staff and owners for being there. Send a card to a local mosque, and let them know that they are welcome in your community, donate money to resettlement agencies, volunteer at the agencies, help to tutor English at a school, gently correct Islamophobia when you see it...
ReplyDeleteIt is a start, and some ideas are simple--like the sending the card idea, even here we have a local Syrian restaurant...
I'm sorry that you're feeling like this Meg. Life in general can be overwhelming, and depressing - friends who are sick, family in trouble, people in our own house or community struggling. However, I am thankful every day that I do live in our country. Even though people think it is going to hell, there are so many things to be thankful for. Even if a blog is just fluff, you have to think of how many people take time out to read your blog and have thought "wow, if Meg can do that, maybe I can too". You are motivating people to make their lives better. Maybe we can't all solve the world's problems, we can focus on making the lives of those around us better.
ReplyDeleteI feel it, too. I felt that same way right after the election... I felt silly just running my errands, grocery shopping... when the world should have stopped. I feel it now. We can't put our lives on hold but yes, we can be aware and make others aware and do what's in our power... even when it feels like there is so little we can do right now (although calling our senators and marching and donating will have an impact, I am sure).
ReplyDeleteYes. This is exactly how I feel. Like, people are suffering and dying and living in constant fear, and things keep going the way they shouldn't, and I'm over here like, "My hamstring hurts and I can only run 4 miles. Woe is me." And then I don't know what to do. I don't even know what to write here, I guess, except that I hear you, and you're right, we are so, so lucky to have the luxury of frivolity.
ReplyDelete