I haven’t been blogging as often for many reasons, but for at least the last year, I’ve been at a loss for how to respond to what I’ve seen happening in our country.
This is a food blog, not a political blog. But in some ways it feels frivolous to talk about dessert when it feels like the world I know is falling apart.
My father was born in Iraq, and was a refugee as a child. My (Jewish) family was forced to flee due to religious persecution. My grandmother’s biggest hurt was that her neighbors, who she once considered friends, stood by silently and did nothing to prevent violence against their Jewish neighbors and former friends.
I can personally assure you that children and adults who suffer these kind of traumas don’t just magically shake them off, and this pain and suffering affects future generations.
We are inflicting the very same kind of damage to our Muslim, Native, immigrant and trans communities right now, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It’s naive to believe the fear-mongering will stop there.
We, collectively and personally are deciding who we are and what we stand for. Our actions (or inaction) in the next months and year are important than ever to our country and our planet.
One of my very favorite wise women, Dianne Connelly spoke of living in a way that honors your ancestors and grandchildren. That feels like a particularly reliable compass through turbulent times. I know I will regret it if I don’t make sure that I can live with my choices decades from now.
So please. Choose kindness. For yourself, and for those around you. Maybe that’s making phone calls or writing letters. Maybe it’s donating money. Heck, maybe it’s running for office. Or maybe it’s just being much more conscious about offering kindness to the people you see every day. Especially the people you habitually pass by and don’t really see.
But choose to care. It matters.
And Genghis Khat says hi.
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