One of the features I really love on Facebook is the one that posts "memories". Each day, a few pictures from "this day", on some random year, are posted. It's fun to see what I was doing six years ago, or to read a quote that I thought was cool last year, and to reflect on the moments that have passed. This year, some of the pictures from last year documented our move to North Florida. I remember so well the swirl of emotions my husband and I felt, as we considered leaving our friends and everything that was familiar to us to take a huge leap of faith to a place we felt would be better suited to where we're at in life. Yesterday, a picture of our oak canopied dirt road popped into the feed, and I smiled as I thought about all of the hope and fear that was simultaneously taking space in my mind as I snapped that photo from the front seat of my husband's truck.
2017 was a crazy year, to be sure, and in so many ways. Some changes were amazing, and some not so much. In addition to the positive messages, family photos, and funny memes decorating my Facebook status feed, there were lots and lots of political posts, posts that ran the whole gamut of party and belief. Some I agreed with, some I did not, and some I considered thoughtfully, trying to figure out if there was any truth to the statements being made, or the article being posted. I found myself getting angry about a lot of issues, and this is where something really great happened. Tired of reading blurb after blurb, "listening" to friends who were supposed to care about each other tearing one another down over opposing political beliefs, and feeling helpless over situations in our country which I felt powerless to change, while wondering what exactly the truth was in all of the major issues being wrangled over, I started to read. And read. And read some more. I've never been one to blindly believe anyone; regardless of who you are, or what qualifications you possess (or don't possess) in relation to a subject, I'm going to fact check you if you tell me something. I'm an avid reader to begin with. Books have always been a major weakness for me, and Amazon Prime has kicked my addiction to levels I hesitate to admit to. It was only natural that I'd look to books to teach me, to help me discern the truth from the garbage. As well, I began talking more with other people, trying to figure out what makes people veer toward one belief as opposed to a different belief that seems more obvious and truth filled to me. I began to understand that some folks will cling to a certain ideology or belief regardless of what facts are placed before them. I realized that having discussions with such people were a waste of time, and that I shouldn't expend much energy in being upset by the fact that they wouldn't consider the opinions of anyone else. I also realized that there are many, many people in our country who care very much about the things that are wrong in America today, and the things that have been wrong in America for a very long time. And, as much as the realization to me of how ill informed many of us have been was upsetting, I feel energized now in a way I don't think I've ever been to stand up and start refusing to support the lies and co-opt the bullshit.
The absolutely beautiful thing about seeking answers is that each time I delve into a book, search online, pick up a magazine, or have a conversation with someone involved in social justice activism, I'm lead to yet another source of information. I've always advised people that if they want to learn about Judaism they should read a book written by a rabbi, or by someone else who is Jewish, rather than a book written by someone of a different faith about what it means to be Jewish. There are understandings and nuances to Judaism that I feel are often missed by those not "living the life". (This, of course, doesn't mean that nothing good can be gleaned by reading books by non-Jewish folk, just that they shouldn't be one's only source of information.) So, when I decided I wanted to read about what it's like growing up as a black man or woman in America, I understood my best option to be to read a book written by someone who actually grew up black in America. I recalled a book by Nathan McCall called "Makes Me Wanna Holler", that an African American friend had been reading back in the 1990's when I was living in Boston. Because he'd spoken highly of that book, it seemed a good place to start. I was not disappointed; the book proved both enlightening and inspiring, and it made me want to read more. And so, I will. I ordered "Lies My Teacher Told Me" this morning and am currently reading, "The Prisoner's Wife" by Asha Bandele. Knowledge is our best avenue toward doing the right things, and it's my sincere belief that anyone who votes (and everyone over the age of 18 who can vote should, and should have access to do so) has a responsibility to educate him or herself well past the confines of Twitter, Facebook, and internet articles. These are all okay to a point, but there is so much being portrayed out there as fact that isn't. I find that it's easier to get to the truth when I read from many different sources so that I can piece together something that feels more accurate and honest.
I hope 2018 finds you wanting to learn, feeling passion filled for whatever it is that warms your heart and stirs your soul.
