Very few individuals, especially those living such a public life, have lived such an open life. She never shied away from tough subjects, including her own battle with bipolar disorder, embracing every inch of herself. She was one of the first to openly discuss the double standard of women in Hollywood, but using humor to her advantage. Outspoken in every way, creative beyond belief, there are few people who deserve to be remembered as Princess, probably the most badass princess in history at that. And to her I say, may the Force be with you.
Diners - America's Public Square
I've made my way through my fair share of New York diners, including the Metro that the writer so fondly describes, and diners in all sorts of cities. It's true, the diner is a place where people tend to feel at home. The amount of conversations I've had with complete strangers as I've traveled that sprung up in diners is amazing. It's where you really learn about a place and feel as though you belong there. In Cleveland we had a great conversation about the Indians and the odd quirks of a scoreboard; in Chicago we saw a couple people who spent the night a little too happy about a Cubs win; on my trips out west I always loved asking the servers what their favourite dishes were to get some hometown advice. I haven't yet, but one day hope to find the place that becomes my personal "third place," but I also hope that some of these diners can find a way to stick around until then. It might not be the fanciest fair, but it's the type of food our cities and towns are built on and where we all come together over some cheap eggs and bacon.
In recent years its been well discussed how technology brings us together in many different ways, and yet somehow draws us apart at the same time. We have online public squares, preaching our points to friends on Facebook or on our blogs, and yet we seem to miss each other. One place that has always seemed to bring out a personal conversation, big or small, has been at the diner.
The home-away-from-home atmosphere that the best diners possess invites a sort of comfort that is unrivaled elsewhere. When you sit down in front of those comfort foods, you're not always surrounded by your carefully curated friends that reign supreme on your social media, but instead you're interacting with people from all walks of life. You talk to your server who may have grown up with their parents running this diner, or maybe they're new immigrants finding their first job. You talk to your neighbor on the counter who ordered something that looks absolutely delicious. These aren't people you've chosen to be in your life but at the same time they add something to it that may shape your view of the world.
With diners in some places disappearing, I think its time for us to really think about what we may be losing if this trend continues. I'm thankful for George Blecher for bringing this conversation to my attention and I hope to continue it.
The Dangers of the Congress to Come
In Speaker Ryan's first official remarks since the election he began to list off all of the "accomplishments" that he looked forward to in the new administration. Every single one of them involved the not so slow destruction of our environment; pumping up coal mining, getting loggers back to work, weakening EPA standards on farmers, etc. This is the reality we now face, all of the environmental progress we made, though not perfect, is going to be gone. This is what the middle of America voted for.
Some will rightfully argue that Speaker Ryan was doing the job he was elected to do; fighting for what benefits his constituents, seeing as Wisconsin has a large logging community, farming network, and energy workers. What this view does not take into account is the fact that our representatives are also elected to make the difficult decisions, decisions that sometimes cause short term suffering for long term gain. Their concerns should never be focused on reelection, but instead on working towards the greater good.
When you begin to piece together the policies the new Congress and administration want to pass you begin to realize the future of our climate and planet come into question. The argument that humans do not affect climate change is unacceptable in this day and age, and yet we still pursue policies that laugh in the face of science. If this is the vision for our legislative future, it will hopefully trigger average citizens to finally get involved in the fight for the environment. If our legislators are concerned with reelection above all else, perhaps we make sure that they hear our voices on this matter.
A Message to Those Who Look Like Me
It comes as no surprise that much of this election has come down to identity politics. Trump has given voice to people who feel they're "losing their country" when in fact their country is simply trying to live up to the ideals of its founders.
At this point I know nothing I write will persuade anyone out of their dug in opinions on this race, so instead I think it's appropriate to reflect on what got us here. The Times article below lays out an argument that I believe is true; globalization has weakened the position that many white people see as rightfully theirs, when instead all it has done is given the opportunities whites are used to to other ethnic groups. As our economics have stagnated (due to various reasons not discussed here) we have lost the ability to identify as our profession as a sign of status and have instead retreated to more basic means of status (being race). When that status is no longer adequate we begin to look for excuses as to why we've lost our place in society.
This is where Trump comes in with his simplistic view on immigration and trade. He provides simple answers that feel reassuring to people who feel as though they've lost their place in society.
Regardless of your position on the issues, I think it's worth reading this article and acknowledge that there is an identity crisis amongst white people. How we react to it and where we go from here will have significant implications in the western world. I think it's time for us to realize equality is not a zero sum game, and that for others to prosper does not mean you need to suffer.
The First Lady We Needed But Haven't Deserved
I've heard people say over and over again that they would love to see Michelle run for office, and I know I'd be one to support that effort if she ever did make that decision. But I don't believe she'll go down that path, and in many ways that may be for the better. The amount of good she has done from a position that often times can be limiting is tremendous. She's given women and men a role model to look up to in how to balance the demands of life and still remain true to yourself. Although she will sadly be exiting the White House in a matter of months, I see her advocacy for the causes she cares for only increasing as a private citizen.
Reading through these four very distinct letters about Michelle Obama you come away with a common thread of a strong individual who understands the power of forging relationships. Everything she has done comes from a concern for others and a reaching out to those who may have been bypassed before. She's done this without being political, as helping others has no political bias (or shouldn't). No matter who enters office next, we will lose a treasure of a First Lady, but we know she won't fade from our view any time soon.