For the Least of These: Defending the Defenseless in Trying Times

Welcome back to another week, Writer’s Block Partiers.

Can I just admit that I’ve been raging lately? Never has James Baldwin’s quote, “To be a negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time,” felt more resonant and real to me.

I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of this new piece of art for my home office.

And as a critical thinker and a modern-day philosopher (okay, maybe not quite, but I did study it in college), I find myself overtaken by a sense of rage that feels intense. Unsustainable. And different.

And I’m overwhelmed. By the continued protest in Los Angeles and elsewhere that mainstream media refuses or feels cripped in covering. By the growing list of law firms, news outlets, universities, and public institutions that have cowered to his will. By the growing conversational norm of comparing notes on exit strategies from America. And, most recently, by the harrowing images of the National Guard who has, at the direction of this administration, taken control of DC’s police force, attacking minorities, immigrants, and the unhoused, under the guise of addressing a mostly manufactured crime emergency.

Several city officials, including the Mayor, have characterized this as overreach and an abusive exercise of presidential power, which seems more than fair since violent crime rates in DC were down prior to this insane intervention.

Attacks on the Vulnerable Amount to Cowardice

If the measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable, the current state of affairs amounts to a true low. Between racially targeted ICE abductions, inhumane treatment at detention facilities, blatant efforts to undermine democratic elections, and overly aggressive handling of homelessness (and so much more), America is on the wrong side of everything.

Continued Escalation is Consistent & Clear

The current efforts matter not just because they in and of themselves are horrible, but because they indicate a relentless commitment to continuing to escalate fascist efforts. With his mention of similar actions in other cities who “oppose” him, this president has made clear that his administration is consumed with punitive attacks, pettiness, and prosecution of anyone who dares to stand in opposition to his oppression.

The Revolution Will NOT be Televised

And in addition, the integrity of our primary news sources is a special source of concern as mainstream media continually exhibits an unwillingness and inability to keep us informed about the truth of the matter, contributing to the growing sense that what’s going on is more acceptable and accepted than it actually is.

Newsom Identifies New Ways Forward

California Govenor Gavin Newsom with his vocal leadership, clever online trolling of trump, and his plans to respond to discriminatory redistricting is attempting to meet the demands of this moment. If you haven’t already, I’d encourage you to research redistricting, including the situation in Texas and similar planned actions in other states.

But just as I explained to my daughter who was recently cast in a musical, we are an ensemble and it will require the efforts of us all to see the other side of this.

The enemy is irrational and fights in dirty and despicable ways. And their darkness makes it easy to feel hopeless, distracted, and drained.

But just as stories take shape one word at a time, wars are won one battle at a time.

So, today’s message is simple: Use your platform. Use your voice. Use your power to defend those in need. As repetitive as it may feel, it is absolutely imperative in these trying times.

So, one issue, one moment, one battle at a time, we persist.

In the words of poets Edgar Guests and John Greenleaf Whittier, “rest if you must, but don’t you quit.”

“Who Needs You Now?” (working title)

By Malaika R. Simmons

Try humanity.

Try to stop killing people. Try to stop ripping apart families. Try to have a heart that sees other human beings as worthy of love and affection and opportunity, rather than as threats.

Try being honest with yourself.

Try admitting you feel insecure, inferior, inadequate and that you’ve never felt good enough despite the years of privilege and the doors that opened because of who your family knew, who your dad was, or from the familiarity of the color of your skin.

Try a reality check.

The reality is that outright attacks on society’s most vulnerable, that erasure of history, that unqualified leadership, and outright lies won’t ever quiet the whispering voices or loud screams of mediocrity that haunt you when you sleep at night. No church service or bible verse will protect you from the final judgment your actions have earned.

Nothing will save you from the karma you’ve created. Nothing will undo the ills you’ve claimed were inspired by God. Nothing will clean the blood on your hands. Nothing will give you peace.

Try truth.

Here it is: America was safer, kinder, smarter, healthier, happier, more diverse, more interesting, more powerful, more promising, more dynamic, more productive, more profitable, stronger, more serious, more special. And not to mention, greater…without you at its helm.

History will not remember this moment with kindness.

So, we’ll try speaking up.

Knowing our voice carries more weight than we realize. We’re an inspiration to people we’ll never meet. And our message, our methods, our resolve, our resistance is all that’s left. The war is won by continued action when hope weighs heavy, fear feels fated, and success seems senseless.

We’ll try something. Anything. Everything.

No matter the weight of the world. The state of society. The intensity of the attacks.

We’ll keep trying.

Not because we should but because we must.

A final word of inspiration.

Until next week…

If you’re in need of some extra credit reading on how to slow down and find more joy, you may enjoy The Monster’s Worst Nightmare, Slow Down, Savor More, or Happiness in the Hallway.

Mentally centering for the battle and need a piece that packs a punch? Got you. Take a look at Dear Columbia Law School or Still Short of Breath: On George Floyd, Memorial Day & Continued Dream Seeking.

And if you’re new to The Writer’s Block Party, Welcome to the Party, I (Still) Have a Brain Injury & An Unforgiving Minute give great context on who I am and what we’re building.

I’m so glad you’re here!