Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Michael Lloyd Gregory's avatar

It took me a long time to get ready for a new battle. Crawling out from under the covers where I'd retreated the morning after the election was not easy. In some ways, being an older person helped me, I think. I am of the vintage where we learned about patriotism in school, saluted the flag every day, sang the songs of our country, and had a dad who fought fascism in Europe during WWII.

One aspect of the current battle made it exponentially more difficult for me to gird my loins and take to the streets because, as a gay person, I thought the battle had been fought and won. I underestimated the hatred for my kind by people who seem to think it's any of their business.

In the new world where the term "patriot" has a negative connotation in many cases, I'm still one. I'm not ashamed of the feelings I have for my country. I'm ashamed right now of many people in this country, but I still see the light of hope rising in those who see the need to fight. There are still countless individuals who remain proud and hopeful about setting our nation back on course, no matter what it takes in the way of personal commitment. I listened to you, John, when you told us we needed to pick a hill on which we were willing to die.

I recently published an essay on Substack about joining a movement to fight fascism. I took the next step the other day and got an ANTIFA tattoo on my right arm. I'll be sure it's visible the next time I'm holding a protest sign. I'm ready to find my people and rise up together to make a difference. I firmly believe there are enough of us left to do that.

Expand full comment
Sandra Tuttle's avatar

I have seen a 19 y.o. young person ask three old people "why are all of you out here protesting" and actually listen and engage in a 30 min convo. That gives me lots of hope. Embrace the young, folks.

Expand full comment
57 more comments...

No posts