The Times

Published on by Susi Bocks

We woke up to a strange landscape in 2020. We should have known it would be odd considering we had to witness the impeachment trial of Trump early on. Why would we dare to think it would get any better after that? Especially after he dodged that bullet by being acquitted by the Senate on February 5, 2020.

Even though I was feeling defeated, that event empowered me, even more, to become politically active in the 2020 elections that mattered. I looked forward to the involvement and progress which was needed. It was something to prepare for. I could think positively because so many people in this country felt enough was enough, there would be changes made – finally. Then Covid-19 added a whole ‘nother level of required overcoming to my day-to-day.

I realize that it’s difficult being held hostage by something out of our control. Large swaths of the US population are being walloped by the current situation, feeling even more desolate and in despair than those who have security and stability in their lives. For those suffering, it’s hard to ignore that their way of life is totally in shambles. And the solutions are not easily accessible.

Living in a rural area of Kansas, I understand I’m very fortunate. Social distancing practices are much easier to do in this small town when there aren’t many people to come in contact with. That is a huge plus during these times. The likelihood that something terrible would happen to me here as long I continue safe practices means it probably won’t. Residing here is a good thing since I’m in three risk categories. Considering my past rants of living in a small town, being grateful is not something I had anticipated feeling.

Maybe it will teach me to be looking out for the positives more so than be pissed off about the negatives? Let’s hope.

But what about those people who are selfishly demanding their liberty, saying it’s a hoax, spreading misinformation, and wanting to open businesses recklessly without safety practices? Don’t they understand this is an opportunity to change how functioning in life, in this society, and doing it together could change things for the better? I’m cynical because I don’t think we will learn from this.

Adding to the shit show known as 2020, the horrific, unjust deaths of more of our black community members – George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery – one more layer of indecency added to twist all our lives in knots. The ensuing riots, protests, and violence which is escalating; when will this anguish end?!?!?

It is a struggle, to be sure, but I’ll keep hoping that the takeaway from all this will be an understanding that we are a world community – everyone is being affected by these events! The enormous loss of life we have been a witness to is excruciatingly awful. It could, and should have been less.

Let us see the positive in coming together in a way that suggests we care about one another.

Please.

15 thoughts on “The Times”

  1. There must be an accounting starting from the top. November will, I hope and pray, be the end of this madness with a better president and a more civil discourse WITHOUT THE TWEETS from a twit…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. I’m also intensely impressed with how far Harry Styles has come in a very short span of years. He is really opening up his talents into developed abilities. “Sign of the Times” is solid in both the video cinematography and lyrics. Great song!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Excellent work, Susi. I have a cynical eye towards the current times changing people as well, as throughout history… Pet and Re-Pete were sitting on a fence, and Pete fell off. Who’s left. Re-Pete. Ok, Pete and Re…. etc etc, cycles of repetition throughout history. Though, the systems are at least being splayed open and getting examined more directly now. Where we work. How we work. Maybe that will open further to new ways of thinking. Maybe not.

    Dr. Eric Perry has a wonderful post about Collective Narcissism this morning you might be interested in as it speaks to this from a different perspective, though in ways that feed right back in to nourish what you are expressing: https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/49689215/posts/2735789644

    THe most recent with George Floyd dials Racism in firmly as the real plague of our society.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes, may all this upheaval continue to bring about beneficial change. Thanks for the link. Dr. Perry does put some good stuff out there. Definitely, racism is one of the plagues but I think nationalism is another piece of it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. This year has indeed been a strange one. What lessons we will learn and what will be the outcome of this crisis, we’re yet to see. But caring for each other, being kind is always possible and should always be a priority.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Please share your thoughts...