Today I had some of the members of the Joy is an Act of Resistance group over for a potluck lunch. Smaller group this time, but we had just as much fun and joy and terrific food. These lunches just do a world of good for my heart. However, today one episode has stayed with me. We naturally veered into the world of the insane one and the word "hate" come up. I have been trying very hard not to "hate" those involved in the chaos of their own making, but I was also surprised by the person who expressed this hate. Not someone I would normally associate with the word. So tonight after a failed attempt to attend a social function only to find no parking at all within a reasonable distance, I came home and picked up a book I have picked up and put down too many times to count. But tonight it seemed like the right book for the right time. And just reading the introduction I knew this is a book that I will indeed finish this time, but first I need to share with others. The reason being that I really believe our chaos is caused by people who hate too much. And when I read, "Actions rooted in love and compassion are the only way to solve the crises of the world" I decided it was important to share this book with others.
I originally picked this book up after reading Martin Luther King, Jr.'s book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? MLK was influenced by Howard Thurman and his focus on nonviolence and Thurman was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. And if you aren't familiar with the writings by Howard Thurman, take some time to track down his works also. They are important because their focus on nonviolence for the Civil Rights movement has also influenced the response in Minnesota to ICE. I have had several conversations with others about the choice made in the Twin Cities to focus on nonviolence in the face of the extreme cruelty of ICE in Minnesota this winter. And we did have the eyes of the nation on us as a result. Two beautiful people were killed as a result of the actions by ICE individuals and we still hope justice will eventually be served. But in the meantime, I think we need to continue to promote the fact that love will win over hate. Which brings me to the book I think more people need to read.
So I will come back in a bit of time and add more to this topic, but for now, putting this book out there and would love to hear from others who take the time to find a copy and read it.
I knew it had been a while since I last wrote, but I didn't realize I missed the entire month of March. Granted, there has been a lot going on, and nothing good really. However, I should have at least posted after the outstanding NoKings Rally we had in Saint Paul on March 28. And I got a lot of joy from attending the Bruce Springsteen Concert on March 31 in Minneapolis. But between the war, ongoing ICE detentions, and of course the ongoing outrageous threats that apparently don't even cause a ripple of outrage from anyone anymore, it has been hard to sit down and find something to write about that provides hope, much less joy. Although, attending the NoKings rally in Saint Paul with Bruce Springsteen leading off, and speakers like Jane Fonda and Bernie, and Joan Baez did give me some hope. Turnout was huge. And that gave me joy. People were joyful and there were no incidents. So that was good. And the kickoff of Bruce Springsteen's latest tour started in Minneapolis and from the very beginning, we knew this was going to be a great concert. Three hours. Nonstop. No breaks. Just great political commentary and wonderful music. You can listen to to his opening remarks and the first two songs on this YouTube clip.
This isn't the recommended reading though. I just wanted to preserve the best opening to a Springsteen concert, ever. Sorry, if you aren't a Springsteen fan, for these times and for someone who is poking the tiger and doing a really good job of it too, you really should embrace him. Besides, he wrote the Streets of Minneapolis and it is truly a song that not only will help keep Renee and Alex in people's minds, it is a heartfelt tribute and a song that captures what 2026 will mean for Minnesota forever. So, sorry for the digression, but staging a concert tour as a protest against the current regime is just something that gives me hope and joy.
So here's the recommended reading: The Beginning Comes After the End; Notes on a World of Change by Rebecca Solnit. And the reason I am recommending it is because in a calm manner she demonstrates why we should have hope in this crazy chaos we are currently going through. Or as I am fond of saying, the current "shitstorm." If you are a Heather Cox Richardson fan, you will find a new person to follow in Rebecca Solnit. In her very first chapter she discusses the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to butterfly. "A butterfly is the end of a caterpillar. The beginning--the next era--comes after the end of the last one, and in between comes a lot of falling apart." [p.4]. And so begins her analysis of all the social change we have been through and as you follow along she explains the backlash we are experiencing, alternative perspectives that are starting to take hold, and what and why we have to hold onto in terms of hope. it is a short book. 130 pages. If you pick it up and read it, you have to come back and leave a comment. And of course there is a YouTube video of her discussing her book if you want to take a look. It is an hour long.
