Did you know that in 1865, when black enslaved people realized that they were free, that announcement had originally happened in 1863? It was almost two and a half years later that all states acknowledged that fact. It was Union General Gordon Granger who enlightened the people in Galveston, Texas. Can you imagine how happy and celebratory everyone was when they finally heard that news? I pictured a straight-down hootenanny on June 19 of that year. 

My Op-Ed began with Juneteenth, yet so many things to discuss have happened since then. For instance, why did America bomb Iran? Be mindful that Iran has a significant stake in oil, so don’t be surprised when gas prices rise and inflation increases. Why are people blaming women for the removal of David Hogg, the expelled Co-Vice Chair of the DNC (Democratic National Committee)? Isn’t David a grown man who can handle himself? Why did Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) get arrested for asking questions to Krisi Noem of Homeland Security? Why did the Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, get arrested for protesting at the ICE facility? Why is there a call to protest against a King? Why is this administration arresting judges? Why isn’t this administration listening to the SCOTUS when it makes a ruling that involves this administration? Are Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid safe? Why are citizens getting deported to foreign countries? Don’t answer. But, why, why, why, why, all this chaos, and it’s only five months in with this administration? It makes the Kansas City Royals’ repeated efforts to move their stadium seem trite, but manageable.

The moral of this story is that America hasn’t learned the lesson. Enslaving people is what this administration aims to do. They want to keep the nation divided so we can go to war. It seems like a replica of 1933 and beyond all over again; fascism, oligarchs, greed, trickled down to nobodies, is a thing. The only difference is the color of the people they target.

I want to point fingers. I want to blame others who didn’t do their due diligence in 2024, yet that doesn’t help anyone and will only give temporary satisfaction. I can be frustrated and disappointed like I am, but I cannot rest on my laurels. Last week, I attended the demonstration on the plaza for “No Kings Day.” I carried a sign poking the bear, but I was still there. I have called and written senators and representatives for my area. Does it do any good? I know it helps me, so that is a success. The thing I have to hold onto is the hope that tomorrow will be better; hold on, the pain will end.

What if Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr didn’t stand up and speak out? What if Rosa Parks didn’t stay seated because she was tired? What if Malcolm X didn’t inform us of his thoughts? What if Fannie Lou Hamer didn’t speak out? Sure, I know these people took on some of the most tremendous sacrifices, like death, but what if we hadn’t heard what they were saying? We wouldn’t be able to see clearly how history is repeating itself.

 I am frustrated and tired. I don’t even want to write, but I keep pushing myself despite my aggravation. I understand that this, too, will pass; the desire to quit also passes. I have to hold on and trust the process. Yet, I cannot sit back and allow others to do all the heavy lifting because everyone is needed upfront and center.

I’m not sure about you, but the lack of accountability for criminals in this administration is disturbing to me. The only way that I know how to deal with the state of our world is to quiet the storm within me. I have mentioned this so many times before, and that is why I turned off the television. I deleted social media, except #Spoutible. I read informative articles from Scott Dworkin on Substack. Also, NPR and The Guardian, which is why the felon wants to rid us of these journalists, because he does not own them. I am an avid walker. I check on my neighbors. I drink plenty of water, and most days, I eat a healthy diet. I even check my blood pressure regularly. I try not to gossip, and I journal frequently.

I prefer comfort and joy, but that isn’t always possible. But I can strive for that as the goal. I think back to my mom when she was alive, raising seven children with very little money to do much. She would sew patches of cloth. I still have a quilt that she pieced together. My family did a ton of fishing, too. During the evening hours, we would sit outside, telling stories and burning rags to smoke out the mosquitoes. I can smell it now.

Life isn’t always easy or fair. Regardless, if it’s an emancipation proclamation or a revolution, I have to find ways to pacify my nervous system. Sometimes, I will play an album while sitting with my eyes closed, and usually, that’s enough for the moment. Too much can make me melancholy, so I limit the type of music and the amount of time spent, and so far, one record is sufficient.

I wish you peace, and in return, may you be able to share it with others. We can create a ripple effect, giving us joy and serenity in a sea of noise—peace out.