Poet with a Press Pass - East Wing Demolition

My friends and family know that I tend to approach (avoid!) conflict by trying to imagine, discern, or observe the point of view of those whose behavior or ideas I dislike—in those situations, I am often accused by those who want my undying support of “taking the other person’s side.” Empathy is a noble endeavor, but it has its difficulties, as this time in our country is teaching me.

I am a child of the South, where in the 1960s and 70s, the dismantling of racism (and for girls, misogyny) was playing out as conflict in every community, especially mine in East Texas. White privilege and segregation were institutions that most adults held as undeniably necessary – even morally essential. The Civil Rights Movement was during my coming-of-age era, and, sadly, I am still trying desperately to understand those whose personal hatreds and acts of violence have scarred our country and my heart. So it is that I have come to realize the emotional grip that fear of change can have on a person, when there is so much ideology to lose.

In the past six months, I have had the opportunity to feel that pain for myself, as Donald Trump and his MAGA regime have dismantled one democratic institution after another as they ignore our Constitution, our history, and morality itself. Stop this destruction and corruption, I want to say, we don’t want our self-governing, balance-of-power, diversity-as-strength governance of-and-by-and-for-the-people to change!

This week I am having to remind myself that my insistence means, in some tiny way, I understand how they feel. I don’t want things to change at least in this way! Anarchy, disarray, brutality, cruelty, and stupidity are no way to run a country – but MAGA sees these tactics as their best chance, ignoring the time-honored paths of representation, checks-and-balances, and careful consultation. Not able to convince the rest of us, Trump’s version of governmental change is by edict!

All this was in my heart two days ago when I watched in horror, even nausea, as Trump celebrated plans for his giant, Midas-style ballroom, while on another screen bulldozers and cranes crushed then demolished the lovely East Wing of the White House, long the purview of First Ladies. How could this happen? I asked myself, as I am sure many of you did.

The answer that came to me prompted the Poet with a Press Pass poem I posted today. Let’s each promise to honor what we revere, to never give up, to not look away, not succumb to the reports of chaos, not let MAGA dismantle our America. Thanks for all you are doing—together, we must do more!

Dismantling Instructions

Start with an institution,
something built to last
so long that it becomes
a monument to what can be done
when people share a dream.

Read everything you can find
about its founding, its architects,
its maps, its history, the inscriptions
that hallow it, its awesome beauty,
sing the soaring songs that endear it.

Discover the devoted people who cherish
the ways it has made their lives better,
learn the stories grandfathers tell about it,
meet the artists and poets and children
who celebrate to honor it.

Then, when it seems utterly unshakeable,
turn to your other life endeavors, trusting
it doesn’t need your concern or protection.
Ignore the rumble of trouble as rogues
have their way. Then, watch…as it is dismantled.