I have been trying to find words, or a combination of words, to account for where we are in this country. I have turned to writers that I love and to history that haunts all with an eye for some fragment or prior event(s) that can help make sense of the nonsense of these current days. And the archive is full. Trumpism is America, U.S.A. That we can be sure of.
This sounds Baldwin-esque, riding along a parallel track to his observations about American innocence. Which, by the way, is required for sleepwalking. Sigh. 50 years from now, our grandchildren and great- grandchildren will be studying the dissolution-- whether temporary or permanent-- of the country that tried and perhaps ultimately failed to become a multi- racial democracy. Right now, like you, I'm trying to explain to myself and others the difference between realism and despair. I'm hoping for realism, so keep going Eddie.
For some reason equality became a negative idea, I think the majority do not want to live in the same neighborhood or have our children go to school together, definitely not worship together there's a need to be superior or "better"
Thank you so much for this sentiment. I have really been struggling with the current narrative for the very same reasons you've outlined. It reminds me of Baldwin's views on the intolerable unexamined life and it's consequences. America will continue to suffer the degradations of Trumpism, and all it embodies, for as long as we are unwilling to live in and learn from our darkest moments as a nation.
Beautifully perceived and written. Your explanation for what "woke" really conveys is spot on. What really worries me is that this is an essence of Americana, and I don't see it changing or ending.
“ Race and racism is a reality that so many of us just learn to deal with. But, if we ever hope to move past it , it can’t be just up to people of color to deal with it. It’s up to all of us - Black, white, everyone , no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest , uncomfortable work of rooting it out!”
- Michelle Obama
Let’s continue to extend lifelines to those who are thinking of giving up!
Wake to the freedom to be who we are. Raise up the voices of those who struggle to be heard. Offer support to those who need more strength to stand. Be a light when even a flicker diminishes the darkness.
"The overreach of Democrats to accommodate the 'far left' of the party." Lol. I felt particularly pandered to when she hung out with the Cheneys. Only the Democrats could take away from this election that they swung too far to the radical left and now needed to move further to the right. They've already overtaken Nixon and Bush I, and soon Reagan. I know this wasn't your entire point but since I'm feeling gaslit by both Dems and Republicans, it is particularly sticking in my craw.
This is such a vivid image for me. If I were a cartoonist, I’d draw railway ties bursting from the rails, representing Immigrants, Muslims, Jews, Black and Brown people—and some of us white folks, too. I long for that day. It will come, I believe that.
A link from threads brought me here and I am grateful for it. Thank you for sharing this writing with us.
My dearest wish is that, in our lifetimes, we get to live in a world that works for everyone. I hold on to that wish, even as I realize that a lot of people who refuse to let go of their hate and ignorance, must be willing to open their minds and hearts and let a little light shine in places that likely haven't seen the light of day since they were born. I know it's possible. But damn, I sure wish we could speed the process up a little bit.
Another great composition, Professor! You know, whenever I read something that was about being 'woke', I thought it sounded wrong. I would discard it from my mind because it didn't make any sense! Woke is where it's at!! To be 'awake' is to have all your senses connected for what is seen, said or done. But, the opposite of 'woke' is 'DUMB'!! Yup head in sand is where it's supposedly at, I guess...
While I wholeheartedly agree that Trump being elected is a catastrophe on so many different levels, I don't agree that "Trumpism is USA" since close to 90 million people chose not to vote, more people than voted for either candidate. I also find it odd that you don't address, don't even mention, the fact that like Biden, Harris is a war criminal who not only enabled and facilitated a genocide, but stated that she would continue to support the the said genocide if she was elected. Is it not possible that many people who completely detested Trump, could not in good conscience vote for a "lesser evil" that burns alive mothers and sons in their hospital beds. As you well know, this is not hyperbole. The genocide in Gaza, now spilling over into Lebanon, has slaughtered many thousands of civilians with no end of the carnage in sight. I blame Trump's win totally on the democratic party who put up someone whose only real position was the fact that she was not Trump---true---but obviously not enough. There was no primary---she was anointed by a war criminal and was unelectable now as she was in 2020 when she didn't get one vote in her favor. Her past record as the self proclaimed, "top cop" was vile in the extreme---laughing at the poor mothers put in jail because of truant children, for example. Anti-wokeism aside, some people draw a red line on things like apartheid and genocide. Despite pro-Palestine virtual signaling, the logical fact remains: you can't be against genocide when you vote for someone who actively enables a genocide. The government storm troopers that bashed the heads of college protesters across the country most likely kept away the younger generation from voting in droves. Is it not possible that Trump won because Harris was truly a terrible candidate?
its just tired scaremongering that the "left" is always to blame....is it "woke" to ask a government to comeup with policies that benefit the american people, and help their lifes? i always thought that was what a government was for? Seems to me, when FDR was doing such things, it seemed to go overwell for him[and the american people]..but no..its wokism or the left, which to mean just is cover up the meanness that pervades the american culture.
I once saw a comedy program where the black comedian joked[on samatha bee] that the reason there is no "heatchcare for all" was that although the white americans want it , they are prepared to go without,just to make sure that the black folk dont get it as well....and that seems to ring more and more true, the more i see of america :(
You keep me going. Thank you. The recent baiting of men to feel threatened by women- and a woman of color to boot has contributed to this moment. I canvassed for Harris in Indiantown, Florida this fall. It is a little town w/ a Haitian, African American and Latino population. I was struck by one local
business owner who explained to us that he was voting R because his local R representatives were supportive when he had concerns. Several Latino men, landscapers, factory workers ( Amazon) shared that the guys they worked for liked Trump. It sure seemed like a macho thing. I spoke to a blue collar relative on Long Island, NY who shared all his clients ( he installs security systems) were Trumpers & figured he was too ( as he's just like them in their eyes). So, I wonder if this is a " Low T" kind of moment in time & Trump is channeling a bizarro He man archetype? He is like Humpty Dumpty. After the fall & the shake up, let's have a plan to institute prep school level education- emphasizing critical thinking skills. Keep hope alive!
Prof. Glaude: Good appearance this morning.
This sounds Baldwin-esque, riding along a parallel track to his observations about American innocence. Which, by the way, is required for sleepwalking. Sigh. 50 years from now, our grandchildren and great- grandchildren will be studying the dissolution-- whether temporary or permanent-- of the country that tried and perhaps ultimately failed to become a multi- racial democracy. Right now, like you, I'm trying to explain to myself and others the difference between realism and despair. I'm hoping for realism, so keep going Eddie.
For some reason equality became a negative idea, I think the majority do not want to live in the same neighborhood or have our children go to school together, definitely not worship together there's a need to be superior or "better"
Wake to the freedom to be who we are.
Raise up the voices of those who struggle to be heard.
Offer support to those who need more strength to stand.
Be a light when even a flicker diminishes the darkness.
Thank you so much for this sentiment. I have really been struggling with the current narrative for the very same reasons you've outlined. It reminds me of Baldwin's views on the intolerable unexamined life and it's consequences. America will continue to suffer the degradations of Trumpism, and all it embodies, for as long as we are unwilling to live in and learn from our darkest moments as a nation.
Beautifully perceived and written. Your explanation for what "woke" really conveys is spot on. What really worries me is that this is an essence of Americana, and I don't see it changing or ending.
“ Race and racism is a reality that so many of us just learn to deal with. But, if we ever hope to move past it , it can’t be just up to people of color to deal with it. It’s up to all of us - Black, white, everyone , no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest , uncomfortable work of rooting it out!”
- Michelle Obama
Let’s continue to extend lifelines to those who are thinking of giving up!
Wake to the freedom to be who we are. Raise up the voices of those who struggle to be heard. Offer support to those who need more strength to stand. Be a light when even a flicker diminishes the darkness.
"The overreach of Democrats to accommodate the 'far left' of the party." Lol. I felt particularly pandered to when she hung out with the Cheneys. Only the Democrats could take away from this election that they swung too far to the radical left and now needed to move further to the right. They've already overtaken Nixon and Bush I, and soon Reagan. I know this wasn't your entire point but since I'm feeling gaslit by both Dems and Republicans, it is particularly sticking in my craw.
And yes, to be woke is to see the world and our histories for what they are. As you said so succinctly, This is us.
This is such a vivid image for me. If I were a cartoonist, I’d draw railway ties bursting from the rails, representing Immigrants, Muslims, Jews, Black and Brown people—and some of us white folks, too. I long for that day. It will come, I believe that.
A link from threads brought me here and I am grateful for it. Thank you for sharing this writing with us.
My dearest wish is that, in our lifetimes, we get to live in a world that works for everyone. I hold on to that wish, even as I realize that a lot of people who refuse to let go of their hate and ignorance, must be willing to open their minds and hearts and let a little light shine in places that likely haven't seen the light of day since they were born. I know it's possible. But damn, I sure wish we could speed the process up a little bit.
Another great composition, Professor! You know, whenever I read something that was about being 'woke', I thought it sounded wrong. I would discard it from my mind because it didn't make any sense! Woke is where it's at!! To be 'awake' is to have all your senses connected for what is seen, said or done. But, the opposite of 'woke' is 'DUMB'!! Yup head in sand is where it's supposedly at, I guess...
While I wholeheartedly agree that Trump being elected is a catastrophe on so many different levels, I don't agree that "Trumpism is USA" since close to 90 million people chose not to vote, more people than voted for either candidate. I also find it odd that you don't address, don't even mention, the fact that like Biden, Harris is a war criminal who not only enabled and facilitated a genocide, but stated that she would continue to support the the said genocide if she was elected. Is it not possible that many people who completely detested Trump, could not in good conscience vote for a "lesser evil" that burns alive mothers and sons in their hospital beds. As you well know, this is not hyperbole. The genocide in Gaza, now spilling over into Lebanon, has slaughtered many thousands of civilians with no end of the carnage in sight. I blame Trump's win totally on the democratic party who put up someone whose only real position was the fact that she was not Trump---true---but obviously not enough. There was no primary---she was anointed by a war criminal and was unelectable now as she was in 2020 when she didn't get one vote in her favor. Her past record as the self proclaimed, "top cop" was vile in the extreme---laughing at the poor mothers put in jail because of truant children, for example. Anti-wokeism aside, some people draw a red line on things like apartheid and genocide. Despite pro-Palestine virtual signaling, the logical fact remains: you can't be against genocide when you vote for someone who actively enables a genocide. The government storm troopers that bashed the heads of college protesters across the country most likely kept away the younger generation from voting in droves. Is it not possible that Trump won because Harris was truly a terrible candidate?
its just tired scaremongering that the "left" is always to blame....is it "woke" to ask a government to comeup with policies that benefit the american people, and help their lifes? i always thought that was what a government was for? Seems to me, when FDR was doing such things, it seemed to go overwell for him[and the american people]..but no..its wokism or the left, which to mean just is cover up the meanness that pervades the american culture.
I once saw a comedy program where the black comedian joked[on samatha bee] that the reason there is no "heatchcare for all" was that although the white americans want it , they are prepared to go without,just to make sure that the black folk dont get it as well....and that seems to ring more and more true, the more i see of america :(
Ah [after some searching] found it - starts at 4:18- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqx9AiNMgSo
You keep me going. Thank you. The recent baiting of men to feel threatened by women- and a woman of color to boot has contributed to this moment. I canvassed for Harris in Indiantown, Florida this fall. It is a little town w/ a Haitian, African American and Latino population. I was struck by one local
business owner who explained to us that he was voting R because his local R representatives were supportive when he had concerns. Several Latino men, landscapers, factory workers ( Amazon) shared that the guys they worked for liked Trump. It sure seemed like a macho thing. I spoke to a blue collar relative on Long Island, NY who shared all his clients ( he installs security systems) were Trumpers & figured he was too ( as he's just like them in their eyes). So, I wonder if this is a " Low T" kind of moment in time & Trump is channeling a bizarro He man archetype? He is like Humpty Dumpty. After the fall & the shake up, let's have a plan to institute prep school level education- emphasizing critical thinking skills. Keep hope alive!