2 Doors
By: Melissa Shaw
Tags: 2016 Election, Advice, Leadership, 2020, Life

At this moment it is becoming quite clear that emerging are Two Doors to “what’s next from here.” (Feel free to argue the other doors that might exist that I’m not articulating. Dissent is always encouraged.)

We are on the thresholds of both of these doors both promising a “new normal.” (I’m already seeing a dire need for a new term. “Normal” has got to go. Tell me if you got something in mind.)

I’m staring at their doorknobs. We will have to touch these doorknobs.

One Door seems like it might hold an opportunity for something that looks like a future that I know will hold long term benefit for all: parts of a Green New Deal, an evolution to universal healthcare (I mean after this, what else could make it more legitimate) as well as a variety of now emerging ways to build a society, economy, etc. that’s one door. What is needed to make this choice a reality is to seize on this moment together. It’s going to require that we push, we don’t stay quiet, we use our anger or fear or passion and we make a new wellness together. (wellness also fails to articulate.) Wholeness? We’ll keep working on it.

The other door, the Second Door is no longer the gate to “more of the same.” No way friends, “More of the same” is probably no more. Before the Great Weird Year of March and April, that was the refrain I heard: the narrative that emerged from politics was “revolution” or “more of the same.” More of the same, if you were white and middle class-ish at least, meant things might be awful, but at least you knew how to move around. A positioning where liberal ‘do gooders’ (me included) could fight the Injustice Villians (TM) with a bit of a script while in this corner, the people who were fine with the status quo could buy, deny, and go about their business.

Door Two might be dressed with the paint of a veiled attempt to “go back” but there is no back to which to go. In fact, here in lies a deepened surveillance state (Door One might have it, too. If we aren’t vigilant, please pay attention to what is being said and written about it now) an economy that props up the usual suspects while those of us who make the amount of money that we make are crippled and left behind by the strengthening oligarchy. Make no mistake Door Two is a slowly deflating balloon to greater violence towards the poor, people of color, immigrants, and all other groups that have felt the pain the greatest these last 4 years and of course far, far before. Door Two is a loss of our democratic elections- flawed as they may be, they are still ours. Door Two will hold a chilling effect on our right to mobilize. Door Two is where we are headed if we don’t organize.

And Yes right now it’s probably gotta be together from our houses for the time being.

A lot of you know this and I know are already deep in the work. Let us join you. And if you are feeling like you also know that this is a tipping point moment unlike any we have seen maybe in our lifetimes, (I’d say since 9–11) then please don’t “do nothing”.

We really have no power. Not like Mitch or Nancy. But we have each other. The ONLY way into the change, is together. We have to be in solidarity now. If your neighborhood comes out every night at 7pm to scream and yell for the people saving us, our essential workers, take a look across the street at them. Those are your best potential allies. They’re also essential.