
Today there were Not My President Day protests all over the country, especially in state capitals. I have hesitated to say “not my president” because on some level I know we have elected a felon for president in this county, but we have not elected the acting president, Elon Musk. For that reason, Not My President Day was a perfect name for the protest. I went with my sister, her granddaughter, and a friend to a protest in Palm Springs, California.
I hope we can continue to #BuildTheResistance and have each protest grow in power and numbers. Read more about 50 protests in 50 states on one day at #50501Movement. There is no way we should find ourselves watching while our democracy is in such great peril.
Poetry is a good way to protest, as well. Here are some poems from this month’s Open Write.
February 15, 2025 “Show Your Love” with Donnetta Norris
It’s Black History Month and
here we are in america
aiming to forget all that was,
so our future will be born
ignorant and closer to where
our white ancestors made war,
nurturing the rot that became
our unfolding. No justice, no peace.
Today we rename and
amplify past genocide
and call it patriotism.
Striking line by Nikki Giovanni in “The Great Pax Whitie” “And america was born / Where war became peace / And genocide patriotism”
February 16, 2025 “Hope Lies Within” by Stacey Joy
truth
unarmed–
believe it–
truth unarmed and
unconditioned love
will have the final word.
truth and love stronger than fear.
Yes, in reality, hope will
have the final word. Right stalled today
is stronger than evil’s triumphant gain.
MLK Nobel Prize speech “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant.”
February 17, 2025 “Healing Hurts” with Britt Decker
A lifetime of sisterhood,
so fragile now in old age
with your inimical, hateful beliefs.
Do you also find my beliefs to be
destructive? Hmm…
Not to the planet,
not to the poor,
not to the cold,
the hungry,
the oppressed,
the marginalized.
Perhaps you are worried
my beliefs will lead to the
destruction of my
chance for eternal reward.
I think I’ll take my chances.
February 18, 2025, “Inhabiting Life More Fully” with Amber
Patriotism
shines through warriors under
Mother’s spacious sky
February 19, 2025 “Characters We Love” with Seana Hurd Wright
Brave and bold
Tenacious and honest
Uncompromisingly courageous
Humble and intelligent
I wish more people were
like Louis the Swan