Thoughts on the State of the World

This morning I lay in bed staring at my ceiling and thinking about Gaza. Stories and images flashed across my mind. The images of emaciated children. The stories of parents risking death for a scrap of food. The videos of journalists drinking water and salt so they have the strength to keep documenting their own destruction.

I think about what these people have already been through during these 24 months of genocide. The sound of endless bombardment. Searching for the obliterated remains of loved ones. The smell of martyrs being burned alive.

I think about how fateful it is that I'm here, lying in bed next to the man I love. How I’m safe instead of at the mercy of leaders I'll never meet. if the roles were reversed, if I was there and they were here, there would be just as little regard for my life. We are the same but for geography.

I think about the cruelty of the times we live in. How Gaza is a microcosm reflecting the evil seen around the world. How the genocide in Sudan, the forced deportations in the US, the migrant hotel protests in the UK - how it's all connected. It feels impossible to untangle. A Sisiphisian task.

People say, “look for the helpers.” I try to hold onto that. But how can you help when aid is deliberately being left to rot? When barbaric actions seemingly have no consequences?

I ask myself, “how did my ancestors cope with such brutality? How did they bare witness without crumbling?” And I wait for answers I don't know will come.

Some would say we are born in these times for a reason. I'm not sure if I believe that’s true. But I think these times will change all of us, for better or worse. I pray those of use with some humanity left don't loose it. The world needs our humanity. Our compassion. Our love. And wee need it too.

Free Palestine.

Free Sudan.

Refugees are welcome here.

Trans lives matter.

Black lives matter.

Fuck I.C.E.