Blog No. 248: Pep Talk from Bernie Sanders, Ian Volkov Speaks His Truth, No Kings Day Protest

Pep Talk from Bernie Sanders

This is the speech we all need to hear right now. It is short but will give us courage to keep going...

Please listen and allow him to be our fuel...What would we do without Bernie?

If there are numbers in the street, the media is forced to pay attention…

And while we are on the subject of pep talks, here is another one from the national treasure Heather Cox Richardson, spoken on September 18th. She is so wise, so calm, and we are lucky to have her as one of the most important voices in America right today, America's history teacher and one of our fearless leaders...

Truth Speaker Conductor Ilan Volkov

Click image above to hear Ilan Volkov’s impassioned speech to his audience at the BBC proms.

Video courtesy Sebastian Merrick

It takes a lot of courage to stand up and stand out, to stick your neck out even when others deem it is inappropriate to say something at that particular day or time. Ilan Volkov, prominent and renowned Israeli conductor, used the opportunity he had in front of a serious classical music audience at BBC Proms to speak his truth when he had the opportunity to reach a lot of people. And as he responded to a heckler, "You can go if you don't want politics--politics is part of life." I beg you to do whatever is in your power to stop this madness--every little action matters...

The pain he expresses in his heart, I feel it too...

Nationwide Demonstration October 18th

SO SHOW UP! Click image above to find a protest near you.

As many of you know, I usually like to focus on positive, optimistic stories in this blog and to steer clear of the news of the day. God knows we have enough of the darkness in our daily lives and I think it is imperative that we try and stay steadfast in preserving hope and not letting them take away our joy. But sometimes I just can't avoid trying to rally the masses, especially when I feel that we all have to get active and not just gripe.

On October 18th, there will be a mass nationwide protest (nokings.org) and I would like to urge you, whether you have protested before or not, to get out there on October 18th--plan ahead now to be free that day and recruit some of your friends to join you. Here is the link for you to find a local protest near you (zoom in to find your location).

The truth of the matter is that those who remain silent, whether they like it or not, are complicit. Please realize that it is so important that we have numbers in the street that day--to demonstrate to our lawmakers that we do not agree with the attack on our democracy and the desecration of the U.S. constitution and human rights. We need desperately, as one of the most effective tools right now, to show that we are not going along with this administration before it is too late. And while you are at it, get involved in other ways as well--on the local level, through boycotts (look at how successful the Tesla boycott has been--and think back to the United Farmworks Union strike in the 1960s).

I have been impressed with so many people in Maine who are out there on the bridges of their towns week after week with signs of protest but we need more of us. It is energizing to participate and it also shows the public, many of them honking in support as they drive by, that we are out there trying to resist and that they should join us... My mother was a victim of Nazi Germany and there were many that were against the regime but kept their mouths shut. We cannot make that same mistake over and over again...I believe we are the majority...so let's go! For the sake of all of us...

Born during the AIDS crisis, this pink triangle poster refers back to the symbol known for its association with the persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s.

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About The Author

New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.

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