Beautifully written, thoughtful piece, Patricia. I was in my teens when the civil rights era took hold in Boston and environs. For the first time, many of us white kids became aware our the injustices heaped upon those who weren't like us. What troubles me to this day is how little has changed in the minds of millions of Americans who by now should know better.
I have been more and more troubled as this slow-rolling fiasco becomes reality. The Great Leap Forward was Democracy, universal education and land ownership. Now what i see is plutocracy, poor education, a roof over your head unattainable for many who work more than one job in order to live in their car (or worse), and the very concept of truth rolled in the mud. All this and a virtual reality available to anyone with the ability to buy it.
Another part of the tragedy already underway is how his diehard followers among the masses have nothing to gain. Trump and his wealthy enablers only understand transactional relationships, i.e., quid pro quo, as we've witnessed repeatedly since 2016. Those people who are angry and feel disenfranchised have nothing to offer him, save their votes. Once he enacts his tariffs and whatever insanity he and his enablers think up, they will suffer like everyone else.
I know that history only rhymes, but i keep thinking about the history of the brown shirts. Once their job of disruption was over they were summarily executed, i think of “final solutions” and try NOT to see an almost predictable outcome here, thank you for your thoughts today.
When I lived in Germany, I spent much time reading and thinking about how the Nazis came to power in 1933. Project 2025 echoes eerily the overall strategy, tactics, and rhetoric from Trump and co. from the get go. It's not a coincidence, it's their plan.
Thank you for your insights. We are all witnesses, aren’t we? Too bad the word “witness” has so much baggage now that we miss the point of why we bear witness.
Hi Pat. I missed this on my first go around, but am feeling very close to you right now. I too remember those day. I had to have my day cosign my apartment and my car after my divorce. It was really hard to find meaningful work for women too. You could be a nurse, a teacher, or a secretary without rocking the societal boat, but other careers were available to women who were fighters and far braver than I was. I became a teacher. What worries me is that women are still being shafted even today, especially in sports. Keep writing. Love ya!
It’s amazing isn’t it. More so that there are those who want to return to those days. I see a certain similarity now to the days after WWII. The women worked at everything because the men were all overseas, and so were glad to go home and “give the jobs back to the men.” This current round may be fueled simply by exhaustion. It has been common for a while for lower income people to have to work two and sometimes three jobs due to housing costs, etc. The “Trad wife” position may look very attractive right now, but it is shocking to have to go though such a thing again when I’M ALMOST EIGHTY!
Beautifully written, thoughtful piece, Patricia. I was in my teens when the civil rights era took hold in Boston and environs. For the first time, many of us white kids became aware our the injustices heaped upon those who weren't like us. What troubles me to this day is how little has changed in the minds of millions of Americans who by now should know better.
I have been more and more troubled as this slow-rolling fiasco becomes reality. The Great Leap Forward was Democracy, universal education and land ownership. Now what i see is plutocracy, poor education, a roof over your head unattainable for many who work more than one job in order to live in their car (or worse), and the very concept of truth rolled in the mud. All this and a virtual reality available to anyone with the ability to buy it.
Another part of the tragedy already underway is how his diehard followers among the masses have nothing to gain. Trump and his wealthy enablers only understand transactional relationships, i.e., quid pro quo, as we've witnessed repeatedly since 2016. Those people who are angry and feel disenfranchised have nothing to offer him, save their votes. Once he enacts his tariffs and whatever insanity he and his enablers think up, they will suffer like everyone else.
I know that history only rhymes, but i keep thinking about the history of the brown shirts. Once their job of disruption was over they were summarily executed, i think of “final solutions” and try NOT to see an almost predictable outcome here, thank you for your thoughts today.
When I lived in Germany, I spent much time reading and thinking about how the Nazis came to power in 1933. Project 2025 echoes eerily the overall strategy, tactics, and rhetoric from Trump and co. from the get go. It's not a coincidence, it's their plan.
Pat, I am so glad you are writing. I hear your voice and your insightful choice of words, phrasing, and history. Thank you.
Thank you for your insights. We are all witnesses, aren’t we? Too bad the word “witness” has so much baggage now that we miss the point of why we bear witness.
Hi Pat. I missed this on my first go around, but am feeling very close to you right now. I too remember those day. I had to have my day cosign my apartment and my car after my divorce. It was really hard to find meaningful work for women too. You could be a nurse, a teacher, or a secretary without rocking the societal boat, but other careers were available to women who were fighters and far braver than I was. I became a teacher. What worries me is that women are still being shafted even today, especially in sports. Keep writing. Love ya!
It’s amazing isn’t it. More so that there are those who want to return to those days. I see a certain similarity now to the days after WWII. The women worked at everything because the men were all overseas, and so were glad to go home and “give the jobs back to the men.” This current round may be fueled simply by exhaustion. It has been common for a while for lower income people to have to work two and sometimes three jobs due to housing costs, etc. The “Trad wife” position may look very attractive right now, but it is shocking to have to go though such a thing again when I’M ALMOST EIGHTY!
Pat, I am lucky to have you in my Substack community. Your contribution is cogent and informed. Thank you.