The Choir

 

So, my routine in the mornings is to wake up, grab a cup of coffee and scroll TikTok until I am conscious enough to form words. Until recently I wouldn’t say that this habit was good or bad, it was innocuous at best. But this morning, and every morning as I scroll lately I see evidence of what is happening to our country. Violence against people of different races of various citizenship status and violence against Americans for defending them. It’s become a bad habit because it puts me a terrible headspace for the day.

America what are we doing about this? Why isn’t everyone who believes this is wrong standing up in defense of our fellow human beings? Is it a feeling of helplessness? Do you feel like your voice doesn’t make a difference? But it does! I’m a musician so let me lay it out to you in a way that makes sense to me. We have spent decades walking through this world as solo artists. We’ve built our own reputations, vibes and personalities and rightfully so. But today’s political happenings and human rights violations in our own country demand that we become a choir.

We as Americans must raise our voice as one and let them know that this is not okay. There are safe ways that we can do that without putting ourselves in danger or adding to the pandemonium of protests that may or may not be legal, safe or peaceful. Firstly, write a letter to your representatives to let them know that this is unacceptable. Call them to the carpet! Representing your interests is their job. Secondly, and if you are so inclined, pray for our country. We are so far off the mark right now it’s not even funny. This is not what God wants for us. Finally, pay attention to what’s happening around you. Don’t bury your head in the sand like I’ve done for so long thinking your voice can’t make a difference. Make noise, be loud about your dissatisfaction with the war the government is starting against both legal and illegal immigrants.

We must pull together. We must walk this walk as one and depend on one another for strength and support. We are divided as a nation; we’ve allowed so many political disagreements to define each other as good or bad people that we’ve put up walls to divide us. Human rights should be bipartisan, even if we disagree as to what the final answer is. We may not have the answer as to what the final process should be to become an American citizen, but we al know this is wrong and cruel to our non-white brothers and sisters. Stand up America! 

 

 

My Current Heart

 

If you would have asked me during Trump’s first term, what political party I considered myself I would have told you I was a Republican. I was never Trump’s biggest fan even then, but I had been a Republican all of my life. I believed then and still do in fiscal responsibility, I am conservative on the issue of abortion and I believed welfare shouldn’t be a career choice, so my values then aligned closest with the Republicans.

However, ever since Trump 2024 (whom I did NOT vote for) I have been asking myself the question “Am I still a Republican?” Looking around me at the hate that my supposed party has flung all over the world, I cannot stand with them. Videos of people dying simply for protesting the injustices in our world today, watching as people who’s skin color is different than mine face real danger for no good reason. Worrying for my husband, who’s family has been here a couple of generations longer than mine but he appears Mexican.

Don’t misunderstand me, I believe that anyone living in the US should be a citizen or an alien resident or whatever you want to call them because I strongly believe that everyone should pay taxes. We’re in this together! But I also believe that becoming an American Citizen should not cost $12,000 and the process be so complicated that you have to have an attorney to do it.

I still believe that abortion as a form of birth control, or a convenience is incredibly wrong. I don’t wat to hear “My body, my choice” ever again because I still believe that life begins at conception and that baby should have the right to live. But I also believe that people that have abortions are not bad people or evil or whatever the right-wing spin on it is. We’re people, and none of us are perfect, not one.

I can no longer stand silent. I have seen and heard too much these last few months and my heart is hurting for those in Minnesota and other states as well as Greenland and Venezuela. I’m struggling with watching as our country dissolves into civil war. This morning, I saw a video where ICE agents were marching towards people peacefully protesting, and they were deploying flash bangs, tear gas and pepper spray pellets. These agents were in gas masks, and body armor and these protestors in jeans and t-shirts. Never did I think I would see the day where Americans were attacked by their own government.  

Pray for our country and for our world. Pray that Trump’s dictatorship ends sooner rather than later. Pray for peace! Immigrants are not evil, they are God’s children just like the rest of us. This racist regime must end before our country dissolves into civil war.