Thank you for helping us to remember, to grieve, to lament. And for encouraging us with this: Let’s take the horrible images of yesterday, the memory of Renee Nicole Good, and follow the wise advice of the late John Lewis, “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”
Now IS definitely a necessary time to be a prophetic voice calling out injustice, helping to "redeem the soul of America.' But there were no protests in my city yesterday. So I protested via my Five Calls app with "good trouble" messages that I wrote.
Thank you. I came to substack tonight seeking exactly this. Truth, grief, and hope. We are here, and we are many. As a child of the 80s, mostly, I don't have the perspective you brought, and it feels important to believe that we have been here before. That we can influence history, perhaps, and the broad picture can return to hope, peace, and love... eventually... with work and care.
Tin soldiers and Trump are coming. We’re finally on our own. This winter I hear the drumming. One dead on the streets of Minneapolis. Where’s this moments Neal Young to pen our marching song?
Check out Jesse Welles. He is new to me but is a rising folk singer if there is such a thing and he is increibly topical. He has a song "Join Ice" that well...check him out. Blessings to you (all of us).
Thank you for speaking out about this deplorable act and the deplorable response from our elected leaders. I, too, clearly remember the Kent State killings. When the Viet Nam war finally ended I thought our country had learned a lesson. But I was a naive 18 year old. History seems to constantly repeat itself. Good people die telling the truth and seeking justice. Still as Christians we must hope that God is ultimately in control even as we weep. It is just so hard to see. My mind is numb. I keep finding small tasks undone that I am sure I did. It is so hard to focus when our country is being destroyed. And now Trump says his own morality is the measure he will base all of his decisions on. But I see a vacuum in his soul. Yet I am told God loves all of His children. I have no more words.
Thanks for expressing so well what I was feeling. Kent State was extra horrifying for me as we slightly knew the young man who was left paralyzed. Good will prevail.
We gathered in Marion Square, Charleston SC last night to protest the killing of Ms Good and others by ICE. Amid the candles, signs and megaphones, there was anger, sorrow and lamenting. This morning I got up grieving over our country again, wondering what to do when we are led by such a broken, corrupt government. I opened a book I’ve been reading and found this:
“Be like the Magi, those ancient Wise Men. Do not obey in advance. Discern deceit; trust the truth. Be brave. Following a star means moving at night. Sometimes the night will be very dark indeed. Keep on the journey; trust the way. The star will stop. We can kneel, worship, choose joy. Even when Herod enacts his evil schemes, God is with us. Love is here, born into the world.”
That spoke to my soul and gives me hope for today. Thanks Diana.
Diana, your writing brought me perspective after days of complete despair and anger. Thank you for the history of this kind of madness - insanity. I remember the incidents well, and the images. But you ended with inspiration and a challenge to keep standing for right and goodness. I feel fortified. These twisted leaders will be defeated by good people standing firm. Thank you.
She loved her neighbors and cared about them. She was being like Jesus asked us to be. May she rest in heavenly peace. And may we be brave enough to do likewise.
The good people in this country are rising up. I cannot believe that they will cowed into acquiescence. But, it will take relentless numbers all around the US. This president is close to attempting to install martial law. That would be the beginning of the end. This is amateur hour with a capital A.
Good trouble. Yes let's be involved in good trouble. Poignant article.
Thank you
Thank you for helping us to remember, to grieve, to lament. And for encouraging us with this: Let’s take the horrible images of yesterday, the memory of Renee Nicole Good, and follow the wise advice of the late John Lewis, “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”
Now IS definitely a necessary time to be a prophetic voice calling out injustice, helping to "redeem the soul of America.' But there were no protests in my city yesterday. So I protested via my Five Calls app with "good trouble" messages that I wrote.
Thank you. I came to substack tonight seeking exactly this. Truth, grief, and hope. We are here, and we are many. As a child of the 80s, mostly, I don't have the perspective you brought, and it feels important to believe that we have been here before. That we can influence history, perhaps, and the broad picture can return to hope, peace, and love... eventually... with work and care.
I was in high school when the Kent shooting happened. The next in the debate room, someone had written on the blackboard, “4 them, 0 us”.
Tin soldiers and Trump are coming. We’re finally on our own. This winter I hear the drumming. One dead on the streets of Minneapolis. Where’s this moments Neal Young to pen our marching song?
Check out Jesse Welles. He is new to me but is a rising folk singer if there is such a thing and he is increibly topical. He has a song "Join Ice" that well...check him out. Blessings to you (all of us).
Thank you, Diana Butler Bass, for helping us stay centered and connected with what is most important.
Thank you for these wonderful words in this terrible time.
Good words
Thank you for speaking out about this deplorable act and the deplorable response from our elected leaders. I, too, clearly remember the Kent State killings. When the Viet Nam war finally ended I thought our country had learned a lesson. But I was a naive 18 year old. History seems to constantly repeat itself. Good people die telling the truth and seeking justice. Still as Christians we must hope that God is ultimately in control even as we weep. It is just so hard to see. My mind is numb. I keep finding small tasks undone that I am sure I did. It is so hard to focus when our country is being destroyed. And now Trump says his own morality is the measure he will base all of his decisions on. But I see a vacuum in his soul. Yet I am told God loves all of His children. I have no more words.
Thanks for expressing so well what I was feeling. Kent State was extra horrifying for me as we slightly knew the young man who was left paralyzed. Good will prevail.
We gathered in Marion Square, Charleston SC last night to protest the killing of Ms Good and others by ICE. Amid the candles, signs and megaphones, there was anger, sorrow and lamenting. This morning I got up grieving over our country again, wondering what to do when we are led by such a broken, corrupt government. I opened a book I’ve been reading and found this:
“Be like the Magi, those ancient Wise Men. Do not obey in advance. Discern deceit; trust the truth. Be brave. Following a star means moving at night. Sometimes the night will be very dark indeed. Keep on the journey; trust the way. The star will stop. We can kneel, worship, choose joy. Even when Herod enacts his evil schemes, God is with us. Love is here, born into the world.”
That spoke to my soul and gives me hope for today. Thanks Diana.
Thanks for reminding me that I was not alone in having trouble sleeping last night. We're all suffering in this country.
Diana, your writing brought me perspective after days of complete despair and anger. Thank you for the history of this kind of madness - insanity. I remember the incidents well, and the images. But you ended with inspiration and a challenge to keep standing for right and goodness. I feel fortified. These twisted leaders will be defeated by good people standing firm. Thank you.
She loved her neighbors and cared about them. She was being like Jesus asked us to be. May she rest in heavenly peace. And may we be brave enough to do likewise.
The good people in this country are rising up. I cannot believe that they will cowed into acquiescence. But, it will take relentless numbers all around the US. This president is close to attempting to install martial law. That would be the beginning of the end. This is amateur hour with a capital A.