“What are the stories one tells in dark times” Saidiyah Hartman
Yesterday the US bombed Iran based on nothing more than lies and conjecture. The same lies and conjecture that keep people blind to the truth of Israel and Palestine. So this will not be a history lesson because my hope is that you will run to read and research the truth that has been a reality since the end of WWII. This is about what happens when something is completely destroyed. What’s next?
In apocalyptic stories, the survivors are always left to rebuild, but since these stories are often written by humans, very few of them imagine a completely original way of being. In fact, only a few writers or projects come to mind, Octavia Butler, Tananarive Due, NK Jemison, Twilight Zone, and Sinners. America is very close to deciding who she wants to be and who she could be. And it must be imagined devoid of nostalgia. Because nostalgia is false and filled with memories of what never was or what only worked for certain people.
So what could be next when everything is destroyed? What will survive? What should survive?
The foundation of America has been slowly rotting away. This is to be expected when its creation story is mired in violence, murder, broken promises, and hatred. On the other hand, there is also love, hope, resilience, revolt, and joy. We are told that the light has more power than the dark. But sometimes, the dark is necessary in order for the light to actually exist and breathe. The dark and destruction comes because it needs to clean the slate. It needs to come so that those who have undeserved power are forced to let go. Let go and be forced to stand in the mirror and face their truth, lies, and BS.
What is possible once the darkness subsides and we are simply left with ourselves?
We can imagine what has never been possible.
Schools that center joy and light. No child or family existing without a clean and thriving home, food to eat, and no longer going without. Art available and accessible to all. Travel between states and countries so that we can all begin to build bridges and communities together. No capitalism, simply trading and bartering with each other. No bars or alarms because no one needs to take in order to have. No police and no prisons because communities develop strategies to restore and heal. Books are no longer contraband because reading is no longer a luxury but an everyday practice for all people. Creative spaces are open and accessible. And on and on…
This is the time to dream, prepare, hope. This is also the time to fear, dread, avoid.
Your choice. Because things are being chosen for us every day and every hour. We are in the thick of it. We can choose to simply imagine for things to return to “normal.” A normal that included children and families being murdered overseas and right here at home. A normal that includes oversized classrooms, teachers being physically attacked, students not feeling safe or love, hospitals being overwhelmed, mental health services closing, poverty and simply a half life for many and a stolen life for few.
I choose what I never believed to be possible. I choose to believe the truth. I choose to stay vigilant but not exhausted.
What story will you choose to tell during the dark times?
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