Do you ever fantasize about where you’ll be when the Trumpist nightmare is over? Sometimes I see myself dancing amongst my trees like a madwoman. Other times I envision dancing in Washington Square Park with the other revelers of NYC on such a happy occasion. I even dreamt of walking down a street in Paris, say, where everyone smiles knowingly when Americans suddenly dance, hug each other, and shout for joy. The point is, I fervently want to see this cruel and utterly corrupt Christian Nationalist experiment end. My goal is to live long enough to witness truth and reconciliation assemblies, to see the criminals running this administration punished, the enablers shamed. I want to be alive for the rebuilding. And I’m ready for the party.
Meanwhile, we slog through it. Each day we have choices, and the sane among us focus on balance, truth, and opposition. Because we have to. How can anyone with a conscience act like everything is normal? We often choose to tune out the news for a time, to find joy in gardening, or sing to our dogs –but even merciful gladness is a conscious effort. The toxic overload of lies, the degenerate ramblings of the current occupant of the White House, and the psychological manipulation of social media –these things are poison. To take a step back from the continual madness is self-preservation. But checking out completely, or mumbling “I’m not political,” or pretending democracy with magically stand against the winds of authoritarian destruction –no. Unacceptable. This is the moment to show some American spirit and bravery. The men who fought and died bringing down the dictatorship of Hitler in the 1940’s deserve better. They didn’t sacrifice so Americans could acquiesce to the current incarnation of fascism.
Here’s what’s important. Know the difference between lies and truth, and talk about it. Shout about it. Avoid the dissonant speculations of spin artists online looking to make us crazy for profit. Boycott the media compliant with regime censorship –Fox, CBS, Newsman, and ONN are a few. Work on the balance between joy in daily life and opposition activities, and know that pleasure and delight is part of the resistance. Cook delicious healthy food. Appreciate friends and family while they live. Draw strength from a spiritual path –or a philosophy of life that encourages thoughtful reflection on wrong and right actions. Move your body –dance, run, walk. Create –poems, theater, essays, sculpture, paintings. Read books. Hope is never lost. We will each forge a path through this rolling horror show. And we will dance together in the end.
And on this Memorial Day weekend let’s keep those young soldiers from the 1940’s in our mind’s eye. Frightened out of their minds, they fought for an idea. Not for a particular race of people, nor for a certain religion. They fought for the idea that we are all created equal, and that humans can choose to be free to shape their societies to benefit all. They fought for democracy, against tyranny. Let’s honor them by doing the same. The non-violent pro-democracy movement against Christian Nationalist Kakistocracy is the fight of our time. We all have a place in that fight, a responsibility to the outcome, and choices to make. Every day.
Laurel Owen, May 25th, 2026
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