“I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.” ― Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
NYC grafitti always reminds me that there is an underground world of humanity, art, love, and purpose…
When Hubby and I last went to New York City to visit family, I left behind my laptop (which I can’t use right now anyway due to a broken screen). I also left behind an I-Pad, which had gotten so old that it can no longer be updated. Consequently, none of the apps work. Instead, I traveled with my physical journal and stayed off my phone to save battery life. It was refreshing not having my eyes plastered to blue lights, engaged endlessly with godforsaken news about the next terrible thing my country (USA) has done. We had visited New York around the same time we bombed Iran preemptively. I remember it clearly; we were at a rooftop bar reconnecting with old friends when the news fell, darkening all of us, but not surprising us as every minute here just adds to the mountain of terrible human rights violations our regime inflicts.
Not being connected, however, didn’t make me less engaged per se. It just allowed me a chance to connect to the disasters, process them, and prepare for the implications. I finally had the opportunity to refocus on human priorities. Our regime in the United States is bombarding us with so many destructive policies that we cannot possibly give our attention to every single one. Their goal is to paralyze us with indecision. However, the important thing for us to do is to engage with action in small, meaningful ways—whether that is protesting, campaigning, or refusing to participate in the broader economy. We also engage by building community: help a fried; volunteer at a soup kitchen; drive an elderly neighbor to their doctor’s appointment.
“I tell you, love, sister
It’s just a kiss away…” ― Mick Jagger and Merry Clayton
In the US, we truly need a cultural refocus on our prioties. Despite this blog remaining on the internet, it is outside of the algorithmic machine. I find it satisfying to be bored of most social media, which has become an ouroboros of narcissism and violence. Unplugging and slowing consumption is more important right now. And, now that we’re at war, should we truly carry on with business as usual?
The internet used to be a way for us to escape reality. Now we need reality to escape from the internet. We need to escape the endless blue light.
“… People killin’ people dyin’
Children hurtin’, I hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preachin’?
Would you turn the other cheek again?
Mama, mama, mama, tell us what the hell is goin’ on
Can’t we all just get along?
Father, father, father help us
Send some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questioning
(Where’s the love?)” ― Black Eyed Peas
Folkcrafts, Art, and Thoughts 
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