At daybreak in early spring, the first songs of cardinals and sparrows offer a deep sense of contentment. Here in the US we have survived a long night —that is, all of 2025 and the first few months of 2026. The cruelty and corruption of the trumpist regime, the endless lying and criminal cover-ups, the kidnappings and shootings on the streets of blue cities —we’re living a nightmare. As the birds began their trills and warbles this morning, though, I realized we have a few reasons to hold out hope. When a dictatorship loses the artists and athletes, and the low information voters start to see the truth, it’s only a matter of time. The nightmare can’t last.

Bad Bunny was NFL’s brilliant choice for half-time at this year’s superbowl. Tall, graceful, and captivating, Bad Bunny took us on a musical journey, a story of Puerto Rico and beyond. From the sugar plantations to a bodega in Brooklyn, from faulty electrical poles to families with dreams, Bad Bunny sang a loving song of survival and history. At the end he opened up the story to include all the Americas. A billboard behind him read: “The only thing stronger than hate is love,” as he named every country in North and South America. An attractive American international pop star gave us the cultural inclusiveness and joyful celebration we needed, and he and his dancers were sensual in the delivery.

Bad Bunny’s brown skin and Spanish language were not the only reasons for the shrill outrage from maga. At the Grammy Awards, Bad Bunny said, “Ice Out.” That’s not all. Self-described as sexually fluid, Bad Bunny is an ally of the LGBTQ community. The halftime performance crossed straight lines, men dancing with men, women with men. Pan-sexuals, bisexuals, and trans people explore gender and sexuality in ways the white Christian nationalist mind can not control or comprehend. The nationalists came across prudish and small minded in their reaction, to the point of threatening to open up an inquiry into Bad Bunny and the NFL. Oh yes, that hip grinding got to them! Bad Bunny, love his heart, stepped with flare outside every maga box —cultural, historical, and sexual. He delighted us. Our side is, after all, more talented, and includes the peoples of many lands. We have more fun, too. The white Christian nationalists seem like dour extremists next to us.

Bad Bunny is not alone. After the trump take over and re-naming of the Kennedy Center, classical musicians cancelled their appearances en masse as a protest. Finally trump had to save face by closing the place down for two years —for renovations, they said. Right. A rock concert in South Carolina cancelled because no band wanted to share a stage with the drunken misogynist trump-cultist Kid Rock.

The other encouraging bright light was the polite and rational young Olympians at the winter games in Milan. In interviews, many expressed heartbreak and disagreement with what’s happening in the US. A figure skater talked about how hard it was to be queer back home. Another participant cited the Minneapolis killings and upheaval caused by federal goons in the streets and said, “It’s wrong.”

These developments are significant. Artists are the antenna of society, and athletes the heart. Artists tend to not be fascist by their very natures —they cross national boundaries in pursuit of their visions and process. Athletes compete in international arenas with individuals from all countries. Like Bad Bunny, they share a worldly perspective. By sharing stories, songs, talents, and honest thoughts, without fear, artists and athletes have gifted the opposition with depth and beauty.

In a recent poll, Americans thought Bad Bunny represented the US better than trump. Except for the shrinking cult membership, at about 25-30% of the population, even clueless voters are beginning to identify trump as a liar and a fraud, and his regime as ugly and unlawful. 

Alas, things will still get bad before they get better. Trump is facing defeat, and he will be dangerous in his fall. The maga media will continue to spew propaganda. The government will try to re-write history, beginning with the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol in 2021. The federal Ice and Border Patrol forces will intimidate citizens and non-citizens alike. The trump department of justice will try to throw anyone in the political opposition in jail. The compliant tech oligarchs have already developed spy equipment to crack down on dissent. The administration will try to steal elections. The trumpist government needs to hold on to power to stay out of prison. They are criminals. 

But it won’t work in the end. I believe the birds. There is hope, and contentment in quiet moments. It’s comforting to know we have the best people in the opposition —the talented among us, the hearts and minds of the true culture of these United States in the Americas. May our love win out over hate.

Laurel Owen, February 2026

—I never use AI in the creation of essays, or in any writing.

—I don’t capitalize trump’s name because I can’t find the respect.

—I believe in non-violent resistance. Piglet and Pooh are speaking metaphorically.