Hey, Soos! #12

What words can I even use at this point?

Can I even construct a sentence that can adequately describe all that has happened today and how I feel about it?

I don’t know, but I’ll try my fucking best.

I can’t say if this country is on the verge of another Civil War. In fact, I don’t believe the last one ever really ended. Sure, the southern states rejoined the union and men were sent back home, but the damage was never dealt with. Healing never occurred. To this day, people are still hurting and dying because of the practices of that time.

Nothing is new under the sun. Especially in the United States of America.

My relationship with this country has been a difficult one to say the least. At times I have even declared that I hated it. And that thought crossed my mind many times today. But I know that this country and the world beyond can be so much better. So much better.

That’s why it hurts so much to see all that has happened. Not just today, but since this country began.

This country was built on the beaten backs of slaves. Native Americans were exterminated and forced off of their lands. Japanese Americans were sent to concentration camps. Members of the LGBTQ community were killed for the simple fact of who they were. Immigrants were treated as vermin. Muslims were seen as the enemy.

And that’s barely scratching the surface of this country’s sins. In fact, many of those things are still happening today.

We cannot forget the sins of the past. There is no way to move forward if we choose to ignore what has happened. You can’t learn if you don’t remember.

I know that we are supposed to pray for our enemies and forgive those who have done wrong. But I don’t think I can do that Soos. Not today.

But I want to assure you that by no means will I give up. These people who seek to divide and destroy will not take away my voice or my joy. It will take some time, and it certainly won’t be easy. But I’ll never fucking give up.

I know that the world can be better—that hope and love can live in every person.

So I’ll keep going Soos.

I know that’s what you want me to do.