“Corruption has put our planet at risk. Corruption has broken our economy. And corruption is breaking our democracy… I know what’s broken, I’ve got a plan to fix it, and that’s why I’m running for president of the United States.” - What Elizabeth Warren's Loss Says About Us
I still trust Elizabeth Warren, and her choices. I still believe that she was the only one in the race with a clear-eyed view of our country/world and how to effectively, collaboratively change it for good. I still believe her unique combination of qualities could transform this country/world in ways so beautiful that we are apparently still too scared to imagine it. I hope that someone somehow lets her charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent reach its full potential.
I dream of a day when we trust badass, brilliant women to do and be things that men are either unwilling or unable to do and be. I especially hope we start entrusting Black & Brown women with real power. They’ve been in the crossfire of systemic racism & sexism, the twin towers of oppression, for centuries. They see it the way no one else can. Because of that, I think they can see a way out that the rest of us can’t.
I hope that Bernie Sanders’ heart is healthy, and that he learns to work more effectively with his peers in our flawed, sprawling system. Anything less, and all the dreamy revolution talk will die the way it has forever, and only bring more mistrust and bitterness.
I hope that Joe Biden’s mind is healthy, and that he moves beyond the rhetoric too many politicians have rendered hollow too many times, breaking hearts and taking lives. I hope he listens to the systemically oppressed people he claims to champion, and actually does something. Anything less will keep us stuck in sickening circles, and only bring more mistrust and bitterness.
I hope they don’t run their campaigns with self-righteous entitlement, based in the past, based in fear & anger, propped up by a life of being treated like powerful White men.
I hope that we are able to look past our differences, get together, and dethrone this divisive, dishonest maniac who embodies the very worst of our American and human qualities. I hope we uproot his ugliness and take a good, long look at how it overtook our ecosystem, how we planted and nourished it, and how we might get healthy.
I hope we make it through this. Don’t give up.