celebrate today, but remember the fight for true progress continues
I pulled The Tower card again this morning. Typically, it signifies total destruction followed by a fresh start. Other interpretations say the card represents liberation. I spent so much of today, Inauguration Day, oscillating between cynicism and baby tremors of excitement. Mostly I feel totally numb and totally exhausted. The last four years have contained so much unnecessary grief, loss, trauma, fear and pain. Much has been lost, is still being lost, and it’s all present. One of my determinations these days is around practicing patience. For me, one of the side effects of participating in social media is feeling overwhelmed by so many other people’s ideas, emotions and impressions it becomes hard to find my own footing. Space to process is a newfound priority. I did feel compelled, however, to collect the reactions, thoughts, laughs and moments that moved me the most, will stay with me the longest.
“But what if he said ‘I cannot be a president for all. I will not serve white supremacy. I will not serve hatred. I will not serve fascism. The unity I speak of has no room for enabling such political abuse.’ just dreaming.” — adrienne maree brown
“Even as we grieved, we grew.” — Amanda Gorman
“Is it an award show or are an important transition of power? Do we need the spectacle of famous people’s guest appearances at the inauguration? What part of democracy is bolstered by these optics? What is so essential about their presence at a time where the rest of the world is asked to stay home to save lives?” — Aminatou Sow
“When people say ‘we have made it through worse before,’ all I hear is the wind slapping against the gravestones of those who did not make it.” — Clint Smith (via Eve’s Instagram)
“The mascot is gone, but their team intact. Please believe.” — Kiese Laymon
“They’re asking for their money, Joe” — the wellspring that is the Internet
“Farewell to the first and hopefully last frictionless President. May we never forget the real consequences of the design choices we’ve made.” - Adam Conner
“It is still deeply challenging for so many people to accept the reality of what has happened.” - Ta-Nehisi Coates
“Celebrate today, but remember the fight for true progress continues.” — Raquel Willis
Take good care, everyone. Onward.