Opinion
Federal Opinion

Thanks America, Even Through Loss and Mourning

By Charles Taylor Kerchner — November 22, 2016 1 min read
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How do you mourn the suicide of your country? I’ve lost dear friends this year, and I know how to mourn them. But I don’t know how to grieve the loss of the country I love. The America I know is being replaced by thugs and bigots. Strong words, but how else do you describe a domestic policy chief aligned with white nationalists or an attorney general nominee who endorsed banning Muslim immigrants?

I’ve read the calls to resist and fight, and I will in good time. But first, I mourn. At my age, I will never see a progressive national government, and it is unlikely that my children will ever see a progressive Supreme Court.

As Barbara Schelbert, wrote in a poem to the editor in the Los Angeles Times:

I want to mourn the loss of

decency and integrity

compassion and empathy

intellect and class.

[Read it all.]

I’m with her.

But mixed with profound sadness is all that I am thankful for: a great marriage and family. Great kids, world-class grandchildren. As I recover from mourning, I’ll be all the more thankful that I am a U.S. citizen, and that if I want to stand with my countrymen and call out the vice president elect, I don’t have to apologize. If I want to march on Washington, I don’t have to ask Jeff Session’s permission. If I want to stand alongside the Dreamers, I can try to shield their vulnerability.

Thanks America.

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