The picture is a picture I took at the Walls of Derry/Londonderry on one my trips to Northern Ireland. It’s a screen saver on my phone. I see it all the time. When I took the picture, it reminded me of the persistence of the folks working for peace and reconciliation in NI. Persistence over decades. And it always makes me think “if they can keep going, I guess I can’t stop.”
Like many of you, I am reeling and processing the results of Tuesday’s election in the US. Looking for hope. Suppressing rage, indignation, fear, and disbelief. Some of my usual “go to” online folks that I look to for inspiration have been noticeably silent … I suspect in the same state and wondering how to move forward.
We left St. Thomas, Ontario at 7:15 am on Tuesday morning and our goal was to reach Levis, just outside of Quebec City, that evening. We finally reached our destination by about 6:00. After ordering some food, we nervously turned on the TV. It wasn’t long until my stomach started to turn. Along with millions of others around the world, I sat in disbelief as the results started to come in. I finally tried to sleep for a few hours, hoping that things might turn around in the meantime.
Of course, they didn’t. With heavy hearts, we grabbed some breakfast in the morning and set out for the final stretch. We listened all day to commentators from many different communities, left and right leaning, offering early analyses and post-mortem reflections.
“The Democrats didn’t listen to the working class.”
“In exit polls, the economy was the number one issue that people voted on.”
“The Latino community was divided.”
“Kamala Harris didn’t have enough time to mount a proper campaign.”
“Fear won.”
And on and on. In the coming months and years no doubt there will be volumes written about this election. What went right and what went wrong.
Just before we got home, we heard Kamala Harris’ grace filled, hopeful, and dare I say even feisty concession speech.
As I continue to process things, mostly I am afraid … for the people of Ukraine … for the millions of U.S. immigrants who face possible mass deportation … for the trans community … for anyone who spoke out or actively worked against Trump who may now face retribution … it becomes paralyzing.
I just received an email from Broadview Magazine with a short reflection, and also a link to Christoper White’s recommendations on “6 ways to find hope amid U.S. election despair” which includes some good advice. You can check it out at Trump, again?! Hope amid election despair. How written Cree came to be.
Last night I also remembered one of my favourite readings from Basilian priest Rene Fumoleau, who served in Northern Canada for more than twenty years. Fumoleau was also a poet and published a collection of his works reflecting on all he had learned during his time among the Dene people. For many years, when I am feeling discouraged and overwhelmed, I have turned to this reading. It has grounded me in turbulent times. During the pandemic I think I read it almost daily.
We can only see a hundred metres ahead of us. But we go with the little light we have. And we keep moving forward.
Truck lights.
Winter time and very cold,
early afternoon but already dark.
I’m driving from Yellowknife to Rae in my 15 year old pick-up truck,
and a Dene elder asked me for a ride.
The land has taught the Dene
to live in a world of silence.
After ten kilometres, Kolchia reflects:
“Driving the truck is like having faith in God.”
I’m trying to figure out what he means, but, after two kilometres I give up:
“Grandpa, you talked about driving and faith in God.
I’m not sure what you meant.”
Kolchia turned slightly towards me:
“You started the engine and you put the lights on. We could have said:
‘We see only one hundred metres ahead.
Further on, it’s one hundred kilometres of darkness,
so we cannot go to Rae.’
But you got the truck in gear,
we started to move,
and the lights kept showing ahead of us.
Must be the way with God too
who shows us only a bit of the future,
just enough for our next move.
If we are afraid and if we stand still,
we’ll never see further ahead.
But if we go with the little light we have,
the light keeps showing us the way on and on.”