Jess, thank you for being human, thank you for all you do. We have to acknowledge the collective grief we're all feeling, and still nurture a sense of purpose. If we try to do good in some way every day we are continuing to live as compassionate people despite our grief.
This is beautifully written. You touched my heart. Thank you from a frequently discouraged little old lady in West Virginia. You gave me some hope for today!
This is beautiful. Of course you deserve to be in the Obama Museum. Keep speaking your truth in your rural part of the country. There are many like-minded people who need to hear you. Keep finding them, Jess.
We should never be complacent. I was, during Obama's terms. Meanwhile, those triggered by a black man as President kept on their persistent plotting against all things diverse and equal in our nation. Now they're not even subtle about it.
Thanks for sharing. We are living in the darkest timeline. Honestly, the world shifted when Trump was elected for the first time, and I have never felt right since. Like life was snatched away. There are times I feel like giving up and others I feel like fighting like hell. But ultimately, we always get what we deserve as a country.
It’s felt like a black cloud all over the world ever since 2015, yes. And waking up to the news that the same obviously evil people had gained the presidency in the US again, despite revealing their true colours in 2020, was the worse moment either my husband and I had ever felt. A Brit and an Australian living in Belgium…
There’s a deep underlying slimy sickness that just keeps coming at us all in waves, and not just in the US. It seems to be composed of equal parts racism (well, actually hatred of ‘others’, however that is defined), and the love of money and power above all else. Tiny glimmers of hope in Ukraine and now Hungary, almost swamped… 😿
Can we hold on? We must. Eventually there will come a dawn, but I think the world will need to change pretty radically, everywhere, if it’s going to hold.
Jess, you are everything that is good about the US, and I can’t think of anyone more fit to be in a museum dedicated to hope.
unfortunately, we don't all get the country we deserve since it's a hugely collective endeavor. There are, however, opportunities for learning and growth. We can learn to fight. We can learn to decide how to engage with the people in our lives without contending with those critical issues.
Most importantly, we who claim to embrace the humanity of every human have to stretch to do so, even if you want to shake the stupid and the hate out of them.
Things actually could be worse. They may be if we don't stop the madness. There has already been irrepreperal harm done that we will not see remideed in our lifetimes or maybe ever.
Oh, Jess, now I'm crying! I'm so proud to know and support you! And for sure you are the perfect hero to be part of President Obama's museum.
As an 80 year old Italian American, I can tell you that crying, allowing tears to come, is a very strong, brave thing to do. And it's possible to let the tears come and still hold our presence in public. Not required...but allowed.
May I email or message you with a question and an idea?
We can cry for a short time...bur then we must rise up because WE are the hope of this country. We are canvassing, writing postcards, calling our representatives, marching in the streets...YES WE CAN AGAIN! Congrats Jess! I am from Chicago originally so I plan to see Obama's library soon!❣️
You are just the bomb. I am just that much older than you and a huge promoter of Obama. I loved his words of inspiration. They resonated to this "flower child" of the Vietnam Era. That was the time when we banded together and and felt we could make things happen. Music, art, marching, politics we had a voice. Obama time reminded me of that- he started as a neighborhood organizer and was smart! And in addition, his wonderful wife said those famous words, "When they go low, we go high!"
Damn right, Cynthia. Trumpy makes Nixon look like a lightweight. And we hated Nixon's guts. That alone tells you what "our generation" thinks of Trumpy.
Jess, thank you for your touching article. You are such a great writer. You definitely deserve to be in the Obama museum as you want to find the good in people. You put into words so well what we are feeling.
You deserve to be in the Obama museum! Congratulations!
Ditto!
You are going to have us all crying, Jess.
Yes. And I had chills through the entire article which is always my sign that it is something of deep spiritual importance.
We can be Jess’s surrogate weepers! That poem brought the waterfall for me.
Yep I am crying!
Jess, thank you for being human, thank you for all you do. We have to acknowledge the collective grief we're all feeling, and still nurture a sense of purpose. If we try to do good in some way every day we are continuing to live as compassionate people despite our grief.
This is beautifully written. You touched my heart. Thank you from a frequently discouraged little old lady in West Virginia. You gave me some hope for today!
Yes! I am so glad you have been recognized, even a little! This is a very warm-hearted post and my own tears welled. I join you in hope.
❤️
This is beautiful. Of course you deserve to be in the Obama Museum. Keep speaking your truth in your rural part of the country. There are many like-minded people who need to hear you. Keep finding them, Jess.
We should never be complacent. I was, during Obama's terms. Meanwhile, those triggered by a black man as President kept on their persistent plotting against all things diverse and equal in our nation. Now they're not even subtle about it.
Truth
Exactly.
Thanks for sharing. We are living in the darkest timeline. Honestly, the world shifted when Trump was elected for the first time, and I have never felt right since. Like life was snatched away. There are times I feel like giving up and others I feel like fighting like hell. But ultimately, we always get what we deserve as a country.
It’s felt like a black cloud all over the world ever since 2015, yes. And waking up to the news that the same obviously evil people had gained the presidency in the US again, despite revealing their true colours in 2020, was the worse moment either my husband and I had ever felt. A Brit and an Australian living in Belgium…
There’s a deep underlying slimy sickness that just keeps coming at us all in waves, and not just in the US. It seems to be composed of equal parts racism (well, actually hatred of ‘others’, however that is defined), and the love of money and power above all else. Tiny glimmers of hope in Ukraine and now Hungary, almost swamped… 😿
Can we hold on? We must. Eventually there will come a dawn, but I think the world will need to change pretty radically, everywhere, if it’s going to hold.
Jess, you are everything that is good about the US, and I can’t think of anyone more fit to be in a museum dedicated to hope.
See Dr. Glaude's book mentioned above.
unfortunately, we don't all get the country we deserve since it's a hugely collective endeavor. There are, however, opportunities for learning and growth. We can learn to fight. We can learn to decide how to engage with the people in our lives without contending with those critical issues.
Most importantly, we who claim to embrace the humanity of every human have to stretch to do so, even if you want to shake the stupid and the hate out of them.
Things actually could be worse. They may be if we don't stop the madness. There has already been irrepreperal harm done that we will not see remideed in our lifetimes or maybe ever.
Thanks for sharing your museum experience...and congratulations!!
Hope. Yes we can. <3
OMG. You might not be crying...but I am.
We ARE in hell. I fight everyday to stay calm and it's a struggle.
For all you have done and all you do, you absolutely deserve to be in the Obama
Museum. A well earned tribute to your goodness and tenacity. Thank you.
❤️
Oh, Jess, now I'm crying! I'm so proud to know and support you! And for sure you are the perfect hero to be part of President Obama's museum.
As an 80 year old Italian American, I can tell you that crying, allowing tears to come, is a very strong, brave thing to do. And it's possible to let the tears come and still hold our presence in public. Not required...but allowed.
May I email or message you with a question and an idea?
Yes!
Ok here's where my techno-ignorance shows up. Where can I, please! Can I use substack message of some kind? Or is there an email I should use?
Thanks for your answer in the other post!
We can cry for a short time...bur then we must rise up because WE are the hope of this country. We are canvassing, writing postcards, calling our representatives, marching in the streets...YES WE CAN AGAIN! Congrats Jess! I am from Chicago originally so I plan to see Obama's library soon!❣️
You are just the bomb. I am just that much older than you and a huge promoter of Obama. I loved his words of inspiration. They resonated to this "flower child" of the Vietnam Era. That was the time when we banded together and and felt we could make things happen. Music, art, marching, politics we had a voice. Obama time reminded me of that- he started as a neighborhood organizer and was smart! And in addition, his wonderful wife said those famous words, "When they go low, we go high!"
Damn right, Cynthia. Trumpy makes Nixon look like a lightweight. And we hated Nixon's guts. That alone tells you what "our generation" thinks of Trumpy.
Jess, that is fantastic! That is certainly something to be proud of.
Jess, thank you for your touching article. You are such a great writer. You definitely deserve to be in the Obama museum as you want to find the good in people. You put into words so well what we are feeling.
I always enjoy reading your articles, thank you🙏
Thank you Jess. And I’m glad you are in the museum.