I considered not blogging today.
Does posting Day 7 of a Vegan Month come off incredibly tone-deaf given yesterday’s appalling riot in and outside the US Capitol Building? Maybe. But might people also be looking for a break from yet another emotional blow in a brutal 11 months? Maybe.
A theme for me that has come up again and again since the beginning of COVID is: What can one person do against so much hatred? Hatred of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), hatred of the democratic process and the news media, and a hatred towards mask wearing, an action which saves lives. No amount of statistics I provide to support these assertions will sway anyone who already has made up their mind, who has chosen white supremacy or mob rule or casual super-spreading over human life.
My answer to this question – what can one person do against so much hatred – continues to evolve.
What have I done against this most recent iteration of hate? Pitifully little. Well, I wrote about it. I posted my outrage on Instagram (which I realize isn’t enough). I reached out to friends to offer my support and love. While I had lined up a fresh arugula salad for dinner, my numb soul craved comfort, so I made pumpkin mac and cheese (hey! Vegan!). After a certain point in time I left my phone in the other room, turned on Netflix, and delved into multiple episodes of the Great British Baking Show.
It’s not much, but it’s a start.
What are you doing to support your community and yourselves today?
Leave a Reply