Bright Shiny Objects

Given the current socio-political climate in America, I am not confident that these preferences will be honored. In fact, I’m concerned that what progress has been made in the last few decades will soon be undone. Therefore, I have compiled a list of charities that I believe will work to counter-balance the hatred and violence we’ve been seeing the last few weeks and the unconscionable policy decisions we will be seeing in the next four years.

“The process of election affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. Talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity, may alone suffice to elevate a man to the first honors in a single State; but it will require other talents, and a different kind of merit, to establish him in the esteem and confidence of the whole Union, or of so considerable a portion of it as would be necessary to make him a successful candidate for the distinguished office of President of the United States.”

What interests me is the transition from meaningful, conscientious public reaction and outcry aimed at educating and improving us as a society into the vitriolic and vengeful hunger to destroy an individual’s life.

In the last week, three people I love and respect have shared Facebook posts that skip any attempt to rally the masses to fix systemic problems and jump right to shaming one specific person for being an example of said problems.