Fierce and Radical Hope
Today I, like many others, feel the crushing defeat of a Tory victory weighing me down.
I feel the despair of a nation of minorities and marginalised groups, terrified for what lies ahead. I feel it in my bones. I feel tidal waves of grief wash over me because even though I know rationally that I should have expected this outcome there’s still a small part of me that hoped people would step up and care. I can't quite get my head around hoards of people ignoring all of the red flags and voting for a government who holds such thinly veiled fascistic beliefs. Their poisonous ideology feels infectious, killing off hope and rendering me numb and useless.
It's hard to know what to do now. The future of our country seems foggier than ever, and it's easy to get lost in the anxiety of the unknown. But if I can offer one piece of advice, it's this: get angry. Rage because you know we could have done better. Been better. Because you know there was always the chance that this election could turn us away from politics of hate. Be enraged because you know people are capable of so much better. Use that fury as fuel, and fight harder than ever before for a better world.
This is a defeat, yes, but the war is far from over. And, make no mistake, it is a war. The Tories have waged war on human rights and human dignity, and it is imperative that we fight back. You are absolutely allowed to grieve over these results; but be prepared to pick your sword and shield right back up, because this is not the end. Much as I wish I did, I don’t have all the answers. But I know that hope is not lost. If you're angry, it means you had even just a sliver of hope that things could have turned out better. Use that.
Join unions, volunteer for local organisations, participate in rallies and protests, join and form political groups and alliances, engage people in conversations about politics, educate people on how to discern right-wing political propaganda, learn about socialist and communist theory. Do whatever you can to fight against a system that doesn't care.
I know the feeling of defeat today is depressing, disappointing, and oh-so bitter. But please, be brave enough to have fierce and radical hope in the face of fascism and bigotry.
All my love,
Isabel xo
I feel the despair of a nation of minorities and marginalised groups, terrified for what lies ahead. I feel it in my bones. I feel tidal waves of grief wash over me because even though I know rationally that I should have expected this outcome there’s still a small part of me that hoped people would step up and care. I can't quite get my head around hoards of people ignoring all of the red flags and voting for a government who holds such thinly veiled fascistic beliefs. Their poisonous ideology feels infectious, killing off hope and rendering me numb and useless.
It's hard to know what to do now. The future of our country seems foggier than ever, and it's easy to get lost in the anxiety of the unknown. But if I can offer one piece of advice, it's this: get angry. Rage because you know we could have done better. Been better. Because you know there was always the chance that this election could turn us away from politics of hate. Be enraged because you know people are capable of so much better. Use that fury as fuel, and fight harder than ever before for a better world.
This is a defeat, yes, but the war is far from over. And, make no mistake, it is a war. The Tories have waged war on human rights and human dignity, and it is imperative that we fight back. You are absolutely allowed to grieve over these results; but be prepared to pick your sword and shield right back up, because this is not the end. Much as I wish I did, I don’t have all the answers. But I know that hope is not lost. If you're angry, it means you had even just a sliver of hope that things could have turned out better. Use that.
Join unions, volunteer for local organisations, participate in rallies and protests, join and form political groups and alliances, engage people in conversations about politics, educate people on how to discern right-wing political propaganda, learn about socialist and communist theory. Do whatever you can to fight against a system that doesn't care.
I know the feeling of defeat today is depressing, disappointing, and oh-so bitter. But please, be brave enough to have fierce and radical hope in the face of fascism and bigotry.
All my love,
Isabel xo
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