Wednesday, July 09, 2025

here's an idea...

Pic: Here it is in all its gritty glory: "the reason you should care... is not that it could happen to you but that it is already happening to others." This is from Marsha Gessen's crucial piece in the NYT from earlier this year. I can't understand why countries seem to be constantly at war with their poorest and most marginalized citizens here and everywhere.

My India fam is visiting with friends until Friday morning. Another friend may come to us from Friday to Sunday (when they will leave). Yesterday's lunch choice was IHOP ( a solid choice) but I slipped up and got into a debate about politics (bad choice). 

I wonder if this is why I live so far away? I don't know that I could take people I love so much saying stuff all the time like, "But if you give the poor things for free they'll become lazy and won't work." When I heard that, I went hot and my voice got very quavery. I know how precarious the day-to-day is for so many people and how hard they work at all sorts of things so they can stay alive. 

And then I heard it, the constant chorus from my childhood: "Don't be so idealistic."

But why the heck not?

7 comments:

Nicole said...

Sometimes it's hard not to get into those kinds of debates with loved ones - I get it, but it is rarely, if ever, satisfying. I have come to a point where I just don't. It's hard when you have opposing views with people who you love.

StephLove said...

My mom's family is politically divided with a lot of them far right and it's hard for her. (Less so for me, because I'm not close to most of them.) Maybe the visit was just long enough for what you need from each other.

Gillian said...

Take care.

Jeanie said...

Yes, why the heck not? Of course there will be some who won't work for it, but that number pales exponentially to those who either cannot work or who are working jobs that barely make rent, food or child expenses. It's only by holding our ground that we can hope to (if not change) modify thought of those who think otherwise. I think there is always at least one person in every extended family where the political division is great. In Rick's, two of the five brothers are out there protesting (Rick and Randy) and three on the "other side." Very far right. Sometimes you just can't have the discussions -- it gets too stressful. And that's so very sad.

Anonymous said...

Sending big love!

I can relate to a variation of what you wrote & understand the struggle between loving those close to you and speaking up for what you believe. It’s hard and often there isn’t a fully “correct” way to go about it. Sending a Subway sandwich hug your way! ❤️

-Steph

Lisa's Yarns said...

I can so relate as my parents and most of my siblings have very different political views. I try to avoid talking about politics as much as possible but the more Trump supporters around me, the more lightly they will talk about politics and I just shut down.

I hate that view about helping the poor. It assumes they never want to rise above their socioeconomic level. I think most want a better life and more stability for themselves and their family.

Nance said...

Then why did language have to come up with the term "the working poor"? Honestly, that mindset is so incredibly frustrating.

And moreso coming from people in your own family. Sigh.

I read M Gessen's piece when it came out. It was frightening in its calm reasoning.

here's an idea...

Pic: Here it is in all its gritty glory: "the reason you should care... is not that it could happen to you but that it is already happe...