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Sunday thought: On being a warrior - Robert Reich
Friends,
With the national and international news bringing anguish almost every day, I think it’s important to keep a tally of what is still good and beautiful in our lives and in the world, lest we succumb to despair.
A major part of not submitting to Trump’s tyranny is living our lives to the fullest — hopefully and cheerfully, in the face of him and his regime.
I had breakfast recently with a friend who defends immigrants.
I expected her to be overcome with anger and sadness. Instead, she was as happy as I’ve ever seen her.
“What gives?” I asked her. “You seem almost, well, joyful.”
“Not exactly joyful,” she laughed. “But I’m in a good place.”
“How can you be when you’re surrounded every day by people whose lives are being ruined by the orange menace?”
She gave me a long, intense look.
“Because,” she said slowly, “I’m fighting on the front line.”
“And that puts you in a good place?”
“The very best place.” She smiled.
I was beginning to understand. “You’re a warrior!” I said.
“Yes. And I’m so thankful to be doing this now, at this moment in history.” Her smile broadened.
Exactly.
Those of us who have the time, energy, stamina, and courage to stand up against this regime’s brutality are among the most fortunate of people.
I think about the joy I felt in demonstrating with thousands of others on June 14. Maybe you felt it, too. The connections to others. The feeling of doing something. Of having agency. Of exercising our power.
With the national and international news bringing anguish almost every day, I think it’s important to keep a tally of what is still good and beautiful in our lives and in the world, lest we succumb to despair.
A major part of not submitting to Trump’s tyranny is living our lives to the fullest — hopefully and cheerfully, in the face of him and his regime.
I had breakfast recently with a friend who defends immigrants.
I expected her to be overcome with anger and sadness. Instead, she was as happy as I’ve ever seen her.
“What gives?” I asked her. “You seem almost, well, joyful.”
“Not exactly joyful,” she laughed. “But I’m in a good place.”
“How can you be when you’re surrounded every day by people whose lives are being ruined by the orange menace?”
She gave me a long, intense look.
“Because,” she said slowly, “I’m fighting on the front line.”
“And that puts you in a good place?”
“The very best place.” She smiled.
I was beginning to understand. “You’re a warrior!” I said.
“Yes. And I’m so thankful to be doing this now, at this moment in history.” Her smile broadened.
Exactly.
Those of us who have the time, energy, stamina, and courage to stand up against this regime’s brutality are among the most fortunate of people.
I think about the joy I felt in demonstrating with thousands of others on June 14. Maybe you felt it, too. The connections to others. The feeling of doing something. Of having agency. Of exercising our power.
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/sunday-thought-7e8