Say What You Wanna Say

I’ve had a lot of songs speak to me lately. I’ll be working out and something my Brave Enough playlist will come on and I find myself dancing around the garage between every set. I love music, but I don’t really have a favorite band or artist. I listen for the lyrics and the melody. I appreciate a catchy tune but I also appreciate a well composed song with no lyrics at all. There’s a lot going on in our world today, and its easy to see how songwriters can seem like fortune tellers. They can also seem to transcend time when they describe their  breakup that somehow applies to leaving a job, ridding ourselves of toxic relationships, or even just continuing to fight another day. Seeing as how we have 5 days until election day, I figure I’ll share some of that with you to keep my spirits up too.

I’m done being hushed. I’m done “not talking politics” to make sure other people are comfortable–and it’s becoming increasingly obvious over on Facebook (and even here). Politics are not something we can avoid. Politics affects each and every one of us, whether its tax policy, foreign policy, health policy, infrastructure, any of it. Politics are why we are actually free and able to vote. Without politics, that would not be possible. It affects how we do our jobs and how well we get paid for doing those jobs. It affects how well we can meet our family’s needs every day–literally, every day. To avoid politics is to cover your ears and hide in a hole. You can only wish it away.

This year is likely to be the largest voter turnout in history. Young people are voting more than ever. There’s a significant difference between the candidates, their platforms, and their supporters. If one person gets to wear a MAGA hat but doesn’t want to discuss politics, you are actually just attempting to nullify any argument against your side before it is even made. That does not teach our children how to think critically or debate respectfully. It does not show them that we can indeed disagree but still love each other. If I’m obviously in support of RBG, then I’m inviting your political conversation–I just ask that it be grounded in facts–not “beliefs”. Our children are affected by politics–their education, their health, and especially their futures. It seems odd to me to leave them out of the conversation by saying “we shouldn’t talk about politics”.

Honestly, if you fly a flag saying “F*** your feelings”, I know you’re not willing to listen–that’s shamefully obvious. But saying “I don’t want to talk about it because we’re family” is basically saying the same thing in a more polite way. 

So, say what you wanna say. I wanna see you be brave.