I'm doing 42 things
So, I’ve been really depressed lately about some issues, and got into the whole ranting-but-doing-nothing method of dealing with them:
-Roman Polanski’s kowtowing celebrity pals, (of which Salman Rushdie, SALMAN RUSHDIE!! is one),
and
-Al Franken’s amendment http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/19/defense-department-oppose_n_326569.html meeting with opposition that does not even try very hard to hide its motives of putting profits above women’s safety.
I’m chastened in a way, which is good: (Why would I just believe that Salman Rushdie would be a decent person? Because he had a fatwa against him and might know what it’s like to be a victim?)
But I’ve felt powerless lately. I post and post about these things like everyone else, but it doesn’t lessen the frustration that these people will keep getting away with it.
BUT- I’ve felt some grit in my spit lately, so maybe this is all having a beneficial effect on me. I’ve been inspired to little actions: putting my foot down to a bullying coworker. I’ve spoken up a LOT more lately. And I’ve found that my voice really is pretty effective. I regret that I have not used it very much… the reason being that I just wanted to get by with as little commotion as possible.
But commotion is part of life. It feels good to accept that and be willing to take it on.
If I can just start with these small things, I can work my way up the chain to the bigger things. It’s worth the effort, tiring and frustrating as it may be sometimes.
