Dear fantasy,
I have two questions.
- Why do you exist?
- Where will you lead us?
Really, I’m asking: why don’t we reject “America?”
At Citizen University 2017, I was perplexed by acknowledgements of tribal sovereignty followed by references to american pride. I found hope in the rich discussions of how to live together, how to support each other, and how to respect each other - but wondered what mutual aid and dignity has to do with membership to a machine. I enjoyed this conference greatly; I felt challenged by it, and honored to be in the room with so many people who do such good work. But I resented the quilted flag. I did not make the pledge. And I wondered about the strange contradictions of Citizen University. Mostly -- boiling with rage and sadness over violence the US has committed, that CU was not afraid to allude to (and sometimes not afraid to directly point out), I wondered how the speakers at CU could be so aware, and yet so committed to “citizenship.” It seemed a total mystery.
Maybe I will understand you better as I get to know others who believe in you. For now, I only feel sadness and perplexedness. And anger.
Until we meet again.
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