Click. Read. Love. 7.6.24
On not feeling patriotic, and what we can do about it...plus lots of great links from the week (some fun stuff too, promise!)
Not gonna lie, Independence Day in America was feeling anything but celebratory. I don’t want to be a downer, but also (waves arms around) the vibes aren’t great right now. The Supreme Court just issued a series of absolutely horrendous decisions, including making homelessness illegal, reversing the Chevron doctrine (basically a win for corporate interests), an abortion ruling that is in fact “not a victory for pregnant patients in Idaho,” and last but certainly not least, giving the president the ability to act as a king, with Justice Sotomayor writing in a dissenting opinion:
Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.
And then there’s the whole Project 2025 thing which is essentially a well funded MAGA takeover of government “to achieve its goal of exerting Christian nationalist control over the Federal government’s Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.” FUN TIMES!
It’s never been an easier time to throw up your hands and say “this is all hopeless.” But it’s never been a more important time to remind ourselves that we are actually the only ones who can change this, so we can’t check out.
I like to have my little freak outs and rage texts, like the one with my Mom where we just write “we’re so f-cked” back and forth, or I send screenshots of this in group texts. But then I pull it together, touch some grass (go for a hike), and remember what’s worth fighting for.
I think about where I live now in Vermont. This state is far from perfect, but there are aspects that represent the potential of America. A place where community is valued over rugged individualism. A place where people with opposing views can still engage in meaningful conversation. A place for example, that enshrined abortion into it’s state constitution.
We can be angry, dismayed, and horrified by what’s happening in America, and we can be hopeful about it’s potential too. As my friend
wrote:We CANNOT just hand over power to the people who want to exploit our labor, our environment, our attention spans to make cash and fulfill some freaky religious fantasy.
As Emily said, “We hold the power.” If you need hope, you can choose how you want to get involved. I can tell you from experience, taking action (big or small) will change your outlook and your attitude.
I’m not going to be blindly patriotic, but I’m not ready to give up on America either.
-Jess
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In this week’s edition of Click. Read. Love.
Should we be gassing up our co-parents?
How social media is increasing cosmetic procedures
Is our use of data harming the planet?
A yummy, summery kale salad recipe
40% off my favorite paint (for interiors and exteriors)
Bug spray that works
My absolute favorite pants on sale
…and much more!
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