Things I Wrote While Trying to Write about the Protest

I’ve been trying all morning to articulate my thoughts and feelings around protesting, the news, and everything else. Nothing is coming out right. So, here are some bullet points from my drafts that I want to share, because I think they don’t need a bunch of fluff around them to be understood:

• You can have feelings and opinions about the state of things in this country, and let your feelings be known and protest peacefully, without endangering yourself or others.

• The news isn’t the truth anymore. It is hyperbole, it is fast food for the mind, and if you don’t think so, I would like to encourage you to follow the money.

• No matter which news network you follow, find out who funds it. Pay attention to the advertising that pops up throughout the broadcast. Ask yourself if you are being distracted or educated. Do you feel more knowledgeable after watching the news, or do you feel rage, fear, or depression?

• Read widely—read works by people who do not look like you, think like you, talk like you, worship like you, shop like you, eat like you, walk like you, etc.

• We need more talking, less shouting; more consideration, less waiting for our turn to speak. Most of all, we need quiet time with ourselves to examine where our opinions originated and whether they are truly ours.

Be excellent to each other.