Pardon the somewhat low res pic with grayed-out avatars. Kat was doing double duty as a simultaneous rock photographer and political reporter. Photo by Kat.
Waking up the following morning when I'd intended to write this post, my tone was to have been ebullient. I was going to be barely able to contain myself at the happiness of the USA having elected its first woman President, a lady of immense qualifications and the ability, I thought at the time, to unite the country in ways I hadn't seen in many years.
But as the horribly depressing Burns poem goes, "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry." It was already nerve-racking to have to do a live music show right as the first returns were coming in for the 2024 general election in the USA. I'd prepared a set (more on that below) with a theme that I curated just for that very special event. I was trying to manifest an unforgettable evening that culminated in great news.
That Did Not Happen
No, it didn't. I'm not going to recap the whole thing -- or really, anything -- here. I believe my sense of optimism was misguided, along with my beliefs in terms of who we are as Americans. By the time I went to bed, it was already becoming very obvious that Harris was losing at a pace that gave her a very small chance to come back in several essential swing states. By the time I awoke from a fitful sleep a couple of hours later and got up to use the bathroom, Kat (who was awake the whole time and glued to the returns) let me know that the election had been called for Trump.
I wasn't surprised in the slightest, so I nodded and shuffled back to bed. People react to bad news in various ways. Many of those reactions are typical psychological defense mechanisms. I've seen every one of them multiple time during the days following the election.
I know you don't want to hear this, but the sooner you acknowledge what happened, the sooner you move on from it and start refocusing your energies in a positive direction. Some of you aren't ready to hear that. I can't change the way you feel, nor do I want to. But this is, like it or not, what it is.
Denial - "They have to recount the votes! It was rigged! There's no way this could have happened!"
Anger - "I am blocking every person who gloats about Trump, including family members. Fuck them all. They'll see what's going to happen to them."
Depression - "I can't stop crying. Every time I think I'm done it starts up again."
Sublimation - "You know, I'm just gonna focus on working hard and being super productive, and that will help turn this negative moment into a positive." P.S. That was me the rest of last week.
Intellectualization - "Logically, this actually makes sense, given the lack of strong male role models in much of society, impacting the emotional development of younger men who are more susceptible to the pseudo-alpha male messaging of a demagogue. Me? No, of course I'm not happy but I'll be fine." P.S. Also me.
Refusing Blame/Scapegoating - "I did my part, but if the [insert demographic group] had bothered voting, we wouldn't be dealing with this now."
Of course, in the classic stages of grief, the last step is acceptance. One thing I can tell you is that a good number of people haven't reached that stage as of yet, and many may never get there. And for good reason; I have myriad friends with transgender and non-binary children, people in same-sex and interracial relationships, people who live here as immigrants and fear deportation, people who rely on government-based social services that will likely vanish soon after Trump's term starts.
Those people -- and many more -- have tangible and immediate reasons to make plans in terms of how this next term will affect them and their families and loved ones. That doesn't mean that the rest of us won't be severely impacted over the short and long term. Climate change running rampant and unchecked. An emboldened Russia running roughshod over Europe. Government agencies like the FDA, EPA, DOE and many more being severely limited or shut down entirely. Out-of-control high prices due to tariff-based economic plans. Massive unemployment when the public can't afford the high cost of consumer goods as a result, and stops buying.
If this goes the way that Trump has promised his base, America will go through a radical change over the next number of years, and we've already been warned that we will be expected to experience "hardship" as part of the process.
So That's Where We Are Now
Obviously, it's much more detailed and nuanced than just that. There have been many flashes of hope on the otherwise dark days following, and for better or worse, I'm one of those people who gravitates toward positivity.
As a Californian since 1975 -- my second grade in elementary school -- I have always loved my state, but I'm not sure I've been more proud of my state's leadership (and happy I live here) than on Wednesday, when Governor Gavin Newsom posted this message...
"Kamala Harris set out to fight to defend our fundamental freedoms and build a country that works for everyone. She stood up for working families, decency, and opportunity.
Though this is not the outcome we wanted, our fight for freedom and opportunity endures.
California will seek to work with the incoming president -- but let there be no mistake, we intend to stand with states across our nation to defend our Constitution and uphold the rule of law.
Federalism is the cornerstone of our democracy. It's the United STATES of America."
If nothing else, Newsom managed to get Trump's panties twisted with his shot across the bow. Always happy to be a Californian for myriad reasons.
And then, of course, the outstanding and inspirational concession speech from Kamala Harris herself is something every person -- in their various stages of grief -- should take to heart...
"I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case. But here's the thing, America: If it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service. And may that work guide us, even in the face of setbacks, toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America."
What can I say to that, other than to want to roll up my sleeves and continue the job that's been started? Look, I don't want to sound like some fucking naive cheerleader over here -- that's not my gig in life. But I will say, the idea of giving up and surrendering to evil doesn't come naturally to me. I tend to fight, and believe that we can accomplish what we need to do. Is my optimism pointless and perhaps just yet another sign of my mind's defense mechanisms at work? Sure, yeah, probably. But knowing that doesn't stop me from enacting whatever will I can sum up to keep fighting.
Not just for me, but for everyone who will suffer as a result of what happened in the election. Some times it's the small things that count. I'll do what I can. That's all I can do.
Organize, Mobilize, Resist
You want to fight the powers of evil? The one thing I can tell you is that you can't do it effectively by yourself. In the days following the election, I've already started poking around for groups of people who have similar goals. To that end, I've signed up for some upcoming events, virtual and in-person.
During the first Trump administration, I was involved with a number of groups for rallies, protests, marches, and more. Each and every time I took part in one of those events, I felt better than had I sat here in silence. And no offense to those people who can't be as directly involved -- I know it's more dangerous for many people than it is for me, in a variety of ways -- but just posting my complaints on social media doesn't result in any tangible action.
Wherever you are in the USA, I promise that a visit to a web site like Mobilize.us will allow you to find some group that are coordinating events that may strike your interest, if you want to feel like you're doing something now and not waiting for a time when it may be too late.
If you're looking for people who share your goals in protecting your rights from the overreach of a far-right federal government, look for info and events from the Democracy Action Network. A search on Mobilize.us should be easy.
And yeah, let me be clear: being involved takes courage. Does my enrollment and participation with these groups run the risk of getting placed on some list, somewhere? Yes, 100% absolutely. But everyone has to make their own decision on whether they want to live in fear or be a person who helps protect those who can't protect themselves. My advice: the fear is the worst part, and taking action is the first step to recognizing your true strength. Take it or leave it.
How About That Show?
It honestly feels weird to talk about the show now. Yes, it was just five days ago, but mentally it was a thousand years back, in some ancient age of yore. I wasn't expecting much of a crowd, since, as I said, my 5pm PT show coincided with the earlier poll closings and the first returns being announced.
We had it set up so that Kat would be attending my show but also tuned into the latest info coming in via AP and other sources. As each state's results were announced, I'd read them to the crowd, which had started small but then grew significantly over the course of the hour. It didn't hurt that Max Kleene was following me, so his loyal fanbase was packing the room well before the end of my set.
Rocking my music at Hotel Chelsea during a more optimistic moment in life. Photo by Kat.
Me being me. Photo by Kat.
I'm very glad that during my show itself, there was no real indication of anything that was tilting the scale in any one direction. I'd put together a set list that sort of encompassed several themes of election night. I was able to end on a happy note -- improvising a song for Max as I vacated the stage -- before settling in to watch the rest of the returns.
By about 11pm PT, it became obvious to me that at least two of the swing states weren't going to be able to make up the vote deficit that would have allowed Kamala Harris to win. I think it's normal for people to hope for a miracle in those situations, and even as I fell into an uneasy sleep, I was telling myself that they'd get another vote dump from an urban area that would swing it back in Harris's direction.
And, per above, that did not happen. But I'm not going to dwell on it. I'm going to figure out what I can do to help... and as I said, I already have plenty of ideas. And the thought of powering up the resistance machine, going once again into the fray, isn't making me happy. But it's a fuck-tonne better than sitting here like a helpless lump. That's not me. That's never been me. Instead, I'm going to be one of those sources of light, fending off the darkness in the ways I know how to do, and am pretty damn good at doing.
Hotel Chelsea set list...
Crime (Real Estate)
Northern Sky (Nick Drake)
Perfectly Calm (They Stole My Crayon)
California (Joni Mitchell)
All You Fascists (Woody Guthrie)
*I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
Allentown (Billy Joel)
Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)
America (Simon & Garfunkel)
Either Way (Wilco)
*The Star-Spangled Banner (Francis Scott Key)
Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young)
Loser (Beck)
*Max Is Getting Onstage (Zak Claxton)
*Indicates the first time I've performed this song in SL.
Big thanks to all who came out to my special election night show, with extra thanks to the following who helped support it!
Buck Dezno, Klannex Northmead, Maximillion Kleene, Buddyden Resident, Richy Nervous, bundy Xue, Kat Claxton, my terrific manager Maali Beck, Hotel Chelsea manager Shyla the Super Gecko, and Chelsea's great staff!
No comments:
Post a Comment