The power of your opening line, "We have no right to give up on democracy or our fellow Americans," is spot on. We are duty bound to defend -- and expand -- our democracy. Even if every other aspect of my privilege were not enough to require my action (and it surely is) my father's combat service in WWII alone is enough to obligate me to do my part. I will be in the streets today, with the spirit of John Lewis beside me.
To add, we need heros and Jen, like Mr. Lewis, is one. Professor HCR is another. It's been a onesided onslaught but we seem to have found a turning poit in Epstein's file.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of all that John Lewis faced in his lifetime, yet never gave up. Just after the election, George Takei, whose family endured living in Japanese concentration camps during WWII wrote this: "A lot of folks are giving up in advance. Capitulating before a single skirmish. Well, not this old warrior. I’ve seen much worse from the U.S. government in my day. I’m concerned for our country, but not a bit scared of these miscreants. I’m ready to do my part. Who’s with me?"
I don't know what our country did to deserve such patriots, but I'm grateful for them and their inspiration. Let's make some Good Trouble today in their honor.
Note the courage of my friend and former colleague Moe Davis, who was the Chief Prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay, who resigned in protest rather than use evidence obtained under torture.
Vultures are perhaps the most important birds you mention, since they are nature's clean-up crew. I got a somewhat negative vibe from your mention of vultures, but they are not parasitic or evil, even if we who use the English language use their name that way. Vultures are never looking for a free handout.
Thank you for this message of activism & hope. It reminded me of Gandhi’s message about tyrants…for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall-think of it, ALWAYS.
I'm here for the good trouble. After work today i will join my brothers and sisters on the street to protest peacefully our good trouble. We are in this together. No Kings. Good Trouble. Peace. Christopher and family.
Thank you so much. Cary Indivisible has put together a Rally and two Vigils today in Cary, North Carolina. We will honor the memory and strength of John Lewis. Thank you, Jennifer, for saying what America meant to him. Well written.
Thank you, Jen, for this eloquent reminder of John Lewis's courage and endurance, and for the encouragement to all of us to get out there today and everyday to protest, resist and recognize our common humanity at every opportunity. Mutual aid is another way to resist and can be engaged in every day in every community.
And walk we must. We can walk in protests against Trump and his regime, especially his private army the ICE SS or we can walk through the gates of his concentration camps. History lays the roadmap before us.
Thank you for this piece! And, yet, I wonder…..how do we reach those standing on the sidelines ? The ones who did not / do not vote because they think their vote is meaningless? The ones who don’t believe that speaking up will actually accomplish anything? The apathetic? The cynical? If that population could only be mobilized.
Right now, I'm lucky to be able to move from one room to another, but I have written, called, talked, and donated everywhere I could, and for those who are able to make Good Trouble today, I will be with you in spirit, and cheering you on!
Your essay today is so inspirational, Jen, thank you for helping to make “We the People” stronger. We will be getting off our recliners in Los Angeles to partake in Good Trouble not only to honor John Lewis but to show the world that Silence isn’t Golden, Silence is being Complacent.
The power of your opening line, "We have no right to give up on democracy or our fellow Americans," is spot on. We are duty bound to defend -- and expand -- our democracy. Even if every other aspect of my privilege were not enough to require my action (and it surely is) my father's combat service in WWII alone is enough to obligate me to do my part. I will be in the streets today, with the spirit of John Lewis beside me.
Beautifully written, Jen, and may we all be inspired to get out there this afternoon. I will be there.
To add, we need heros and Jen, like Mr. Lewis, is one. Professor HCR is another. It's been a onesided onslaught but we seem to have found a turning poit in Epstein's file.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of all that John Lewis faced in his lifetime, yet never gave up. Just after the election, George Takei, whose family endured living in Japanese concentration camps during WWII wrote this: "A lot of folks are giving up in advance. Capitulating before a single skirmish. Well, not this old warrior. I’ve seen much worse from the U.S. government in my day. I’m concerned for our country, but not a bit scared of these miscreants. I’m ready to do my part. Who’s with me?"
I don't know what our country did to deserve such patriots, but I'm grateful for them and their inspiration. Let's make some Good Trouble today in their honor.
Note the courage of my friend and former colleague Moe Davis, who was the Chief Prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay, who resigned in protest rather than use evidence obtained under torture.
Please support his campaign for Congress. https://moedavis.com/
Thank you for the link, Daniel. I hope like hell he wins his election. Western NC deserves better representation!
what the country did was hold up for all to see the promise of liberty
We must remember the Indian saying: The right wing and the left wing belong to the same bird.
May I add people are like birds, you have your eagles,doves, wrens, robins, bluejays, cat birds, and vultures
Vultures are perhaps the most important birds you mention, since they are nature's clean-up crew. I got a somewhat negative vibe from your mention of vultures, but they are not parasitic or evil, even if we who use the English language use their name that way. Vultures are never looking for a free handout.
Susan, you are truly a nice person !
Thank you, patricia!!
Great post Susan! I would add that vultures do not attack living things. They consume carrion.
Thank you Barbara. It's nice to encounter someone who understands who vultures are.
Thanks for the pep talk. Keep it up, we all need it.
Thank you for this message of activism & hope. It reminded me of Gandhi’s message about tyrants…for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall-think of it, ALWAYS.
WE THE PEOPLE. TOGETHER. THANK YOU, JENNIFER RUBIN AND ALL YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO'VE COMMENTED. YES, I'M SHOUTING. ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️
Amen!
Jen,
I'm here for the good trouble. After work today i will join my brothers and sisters on the street to protest peacefully our good trouble. We are in this together. No Kings. Good Trouble. Peace. Christopher and family.
Thank you so much. Cary Indivisible has put together a Rally and two Vigils today in Cary, North Carolina. We will honor the memory and strength of John Lewis. Thank you, Jennifer, for saying what America meant to him. Well written.
Support Moe Davis. https://moedavis.com/
I will protest in Catskill.
Thank you, Jen, for this eloquent reminder of John Lewis's courage and endurance, and for the encouragement to all of us to get out there today and everyday to protest, resist and recognize our common humanity at every opportunity. Mutual aid is another way to resist and can be engaged in every day in every community.
And walk we must. We can walk in protests against Trump and his regime, especially his private army the ICE SS or we can walk through the gates of his concentration camps. History lays the roadmap before us.
Thank you for this piece! And, yet, I wonder…..how do we reach those standing on the sidelines ? The ones who did not / do not vote because they think their vote is meaningless? The ones who don’t believe that speaking up will actually accomplish anything? The apathetic? The cynical? If that population could only be mobilized.
Right now, I'm lucky to be able to move from one room to another, but I have written, called, talked, and donated everywhere I could, and for those who are able to make Good Trouble today, I will be with you in spirit, and cheering you on!
And thanks for this inspiring article!
Your essay today is so inspirational, Jen, thank you for helping to make “We the People” stronger. We will be getting off our recliners in Los Angeles to partake in Good Trouble not only to honor John Lewis but to show the world that Silence isn’t Golden, Silence is being Complacent.