I feel disappointed in the results but not surprised by them. I’ve learned that hope thrives best when things seem “hopeless”. That’s is main function. To keep people moving. Villains are made, not born.
Thank you for this one, Stanley. There's a lot of complex feelings and anger I feel so while I'll allow myself time to understand those, I also am going to continue to let hope guide me. And allow hope to move my feet towards actions. I feel even more sure that our elected officials do not liberate us. Rather, community has and will always be where my energy will move towards and for. I am hopeful more people will create a sustainble practice in their life to be with community, work with communtiy, and, most importantly, take care of community.
I wish I followed comics to engage with the Avengers metaphor. I will say that I've noticed in films as of late the intention to humanize villains, which to me gives some permission to root for the villain. It's strange because it seems to me that in an effort to understand the villain, we ultimately absolve them. Which is highly problematic. Trump has been known to say that even Hitler did some good things. Which to me signals that if he manages to do some good, we need not address the awful.
I tend to be more big picture and want to drill down on root causes. I think we vote based on what we think the government should be and do, instead of understanding how the government actually operates. Which leads to an over-reliance on government and savior-like expectations. All of those that voted for him may not be full of hate, but they are full of anger and don't know how to process it. To quote myself, they "chose someone that was an avatar for their anger, discontent, immaturity and rebel fantasy."
It appears to be a cardinal sin to blame the voter but I'm not so willing to let them off the hook. Certain circumstances may not be our fault, but healing and change is our responsibility. We expect candidates to meet us where we are, come down to our level. Forgetting that a government of, by and for the people require us, as voters to level up as well.
Thanks for your comment. I think its important to understand villains, because as much as we don't like them, they are us. The villains we fight against tend to be the villains society creates. Trump wasn't born racist, sexist, or any of those things. He was raised by people who clearly pushed him in that direction and in a culture/society that rewards certain behavior. I think we need to be asking ourselves, what is it that we are or are not doing that creates the conditions for this?
Yes I agree that we as humans possess both light and darkness within us. What gets fed is what will emerge. There are also some pathological deficits (not everyone possesses these) that we shouldn't minimize and become comfortable with. I don't believe we have to have some deep understanding of what makes a person become a villain to understand who is fit for office or any leadership position.
Villains are not some new phenomenon. Psychiatrist, psychologists, sociologists all understand the arc of a villain. Historians, intelligence officers, etc, all sounded the alarm. Elected and appointed officials let down the guardrails, allowing this man to walk through unencumbered giving permission to the voting public to not see him as a threat. To me they humanized him which was a mistake.
I am shocked and terrified. Terrified for my children, one who identifies as queer, one who is neurodivergent. I know that they will suffer because Trump will never try to be an ally to them. And if their country's leader won't, where does that leave them?
“Things can change if there is hope, love, empathy, and understanding.” Yes, bruv! I think this is an excellent piece. I couldn’t agree more. I’ve not watched any Avengers films since the first one. Thanks for the spoilers 😂😂😂
I feel disappointed in the results but not surprised by them. I’ve learned that hope thrives best when things seem “hopeless”. That’s is main function. To keep people moving. Villains are made, not born.
Thank you for this one, Stanley. There's a lot of complex feelings and anger I feel so while I'll allow myself time to understand those, I also am going to continue to let hope guide me. And allow hope to move my feet towards actions. I feel even more sure that our elected officials do not liberate us. Rather, community has and will always be where my energy will move towards and for. I am hopeful more people will create a sustainble practice in their life to be with community, work with communtiy, and, most importantly, take care of community.
I wish I followed comics to engage with the Avengers metaphor. I will say that I've noticed in films as of late the intention to humanize villains, which to me gives some permission to root for the villain. It's strange because it seems to me that in an effort to understand the villain, we ultimately absolve them. Which is highly problematic. Trump has been known to say that even Hitler did some good things. Which to me signals that if he manages to do some good, we need not address the awful.
I tend to be more big picture and want to drill down on root causes. I think we vote based on what we think the government should be and do, instead of understanding how the government actually operates. Which leads to an over-reliance on government and savior-like expectations. All of those that voted for him may not be full of hate, but they are full of anger and don't know how to process it. To quote myself, they "chose someone that was an avatar for their anger, discontent, immaturity and rebel fantasy."
It appears to be a cardinal sin to blame the voter but I'm not so willing to let them off the hook. Certain circumstances may not be our fault, but healing and change is our responsibility. We expect candidates to meet us where we are, come down to our level. Forgetting that a government of, by and for the people require us, as voters to level up as well.
Thanks for your comment. I think its important to understand villains, because as much as we don't like them, they are us. The villains we fight against tend to be the villains society creates. Trump wasn't born racist, sexist, or any of those things. He was raised by people who clearly pushed him in that direction and in a culture/society that rewards certain behavior. I think we need to be asking ourselves, what is it that we are or are not doing that creates the conditions for this?
Yes I agree that we as humans possess both light and darkness within us. What gets fed is what will emerge. There are also some pathological deficits (not everyone possesses these) that we shouldn't minimize and become comfortable with. I don't believe we have to have some deep understanding of what makes a person become a villain to understand who is fit for office or any leadership position.
Villains are not some new phenomenon. Psychiatrist, psychologists, sociologists all understand the arc of a villain. Historians, intelligence officers, etc, all sounded the alarm. Elected and appointed officials let down the guardrails, allowing this man to walk through unencumbered giving permission to the voting public to not see him as a threat. To me they humanized him which was a mistake.
What gets fed will emerge! Yes.
I offer you The Four Big Lies that Corrupt the World. To me everything can be traced back to one of these four lies. https://harmoniousbalance.substack.com/p/the-four-big-lies-that-corrupt-the
I love you like a son. While you have some valid points, as a black woman, I will not accept one ounce of blame.
I have carried my weight. I have been loving, and empathetic to others. My heart has been open. Black women have done our part, and then some.
I am shocked and terrified. Terrified for my children, one who identifies as queer, one who is neurodivergent. I know that they will suffer because Trump will never try to be an ally to them. And if their country's leader won't, where does that leave them?
“Things can change if there is hope, love, empathy, and understanding.” Yes, bruv! I think this is an excellent piece. I couldn’t agree more. I’ve not watched any Avengers films since the first one. Thanks for the spoilers 😂😂😂