Finding Inspiration Where I Can

I’m finding it challenging to keep up a writing routine this summer, and I think I know why. It’s partly because I am busy working with two fabulous Vassar College interns who are creating curricula and programs for the Peace Education Center. It’s also because, in between this work, I am trying to read and garden and take walks and rest and prep courses as I gear up for another year of teaching. But mostly, I think it’s because I am not sure what to share since each successive day reminds me of just how horrible the world can be. Our government, which allegedly works for us, is run by Fascists who are doing everything in their power to cause harm to folks in the US and abroad. The GOP, newly renamed the American Fascist Party, has demonstrated that they are the worst people on Earth. The Democrats are weaklings, still clinging to their neo-lib mindset as we continue to let Israel starve Palestinians to death, allow masked “ICE” agents to disappear people, and….well, the list goes on. I don’t need to rehash it here, since I hope that you are paying attention. Although I never wanted to run for public office, I am strongly considering unseating the monumentally ineffective Gillibrand or Schumer, so stay tuned.

I am particularly horrified by the fact that we have just “celebrated” a horrific milestone on July 24th: we’ve consumed more resources than the Earth is able to regenerate. Yay humans! We suck!

The title I chose today is my personal reminder, and a suggestion for all of you, to find things that inspire you to keep going amidst this shitshow. Not just to find joy and connection - I love doing that and have been and will continue to do so! But, we also need inspiration to work towards the systemic dismantling of this fascist regime, this system of exploitation, waste, and greed, this mindset of “as long as I get mine, who cares about anyone else or the planet”, this abject cruelty, etc.

So, just this morning, I finished Kim Stanley Robinson’s “Ministry for the Future” and I cannot recommend it enough! Go! Read it! It is long, but it is amazing! While it is called “fiction”, the book is filled with REAL climate information, and it is chock full of ideas for how to turn this ship to certain suffering and death around.

The scientific solutions he shares are fascinating (and grounded in work I’ve heard from colleagues), and his economic ideas are revolutionary. I also like that there are “unofficial” things to be carried out (no spoilers from me, but let your mind wander), and perhaps the most beautiful concept is that the changes the book envisions not only change the course of global warming to an incredible degree (no pun intended) but also make animals and habitats a priority, proposes a solution for climate refugees, and offers new ways to travel, and live in community.

If you’ve read the book, please reach out to me because I want to talk about it!

If you haven’t yet read it, reach out anyway, and I’ll tell you about it. (But, really, go read or listen to it.)