A vintage I photo I purchased of smiling, lovely ladies
As my mind wanders while I produce art, build books, and generally strive to foster a creative life, I can’t help but think of the personal fallout of our presidential election. I assure you, this will not be a political essay, there will be no slogging through the mud for me. Rather, this will be about what I think is the ultimate result of this election: the message that we are on our own.
Social media has become an amplified voice of us as a people. The loudest, most aggrieved, angriest ones gets the most attention, clicks, views, and likes. We are being rewarded for our most base instincts. So it’s no surprise that we elected a man that pretty much embodies those traits, but I digress….
One prominent feature that we seem to be continuing is the lost of human connection, of community. I recently saw a YouTube video, well mostly listened to, where it was being discussed how the host wants to present more stories concerning the human condition and connections we have to one another. The host freely admitted that going in that direction will probably result in lost revenue, he’s seen it before. Unfortunately, the stakes are high because he has a staff to pay. I came away thinking that he was caught in a very difficult middle. But, he was willing to try it anyway, albeit in baby steps. I can’t blame the guy, and his thoughtfulness won me over quite frankly. Plus, it’s way more than many, many folks will attempt.
I know I’ve said it before, but social media has redefined what community is. Online, my friend, just ain’t where it’s at. But, this election triggered something in me: I’m calling it an emboldened numbness, an energized apathy. The campaigns I witnessed ranged from asinine to just plain awful. I walked away feeling that we need one another more than ever.
I sell my journals and art on Saturdays at the farmer market, riding the wave of folks that make their way there. It’s a lively atmosphere that I really do enjoy. I like talking to people, whether they purchase or not. But, the strong spirit that steeps through the air is the sense of community. There are folks that have brought journals in the past come back to share their progress: what they’ve written, drawn, pasted. It’s truly heartwarming. I’m actually humbled by it. It’s those small connections that I’ve made that gives me hope.
First pages of my newest journal
There is war happening in the world as I write this. I am anti war. War is a beast that demands constant feeding and therefore becomes very difficult to walk away from. However, I do recognize that war is a sad human condition, as old as time itself. I’m concerned about the events happening far away, but I don’t want to forget the many many folks in desperate need here. I don’t want to be that person so concerned about the plight of those far away, but can’t look my neighbor in the eye. And that starts with community. Distressingly, we’re seeing less and less brotherhood, yet more polarization. Again, this election has made me realize just how important we are to one another. Losing our human network comes at a larger cost than we may understand: the lost of our humanity, the lost of what makes us thoughtful souls.
Indeed, is that a price that we can afford?
I don’t think so. I really don’t.
Thanks again for stopping by. Peace and love to you..
Jos