In the aftermath of the inauguration, I’ve found myself checking Facebook more often than just to respond to notifications, and I’ve found myself actually checking Twitter when I’d been away from it for months. I’ve been seeking out information about what crazy shit the president is signing into effect (immigration reform, portions of ACA repeal), which departments have been forbidden to broadcast information on social media (the EPA and the National Parks Service), and what the president is getting his panties in a bunch over today.
It’s like a train wreck; I can’t look away.
Honestly, though, it’s not doing me any good. If I want to make a difference, I know how to do it: research what’s up for a vote in Congress, then contact my elected officials in the House and the Senate and tell their staff how I want them to vote if they truly represent their constituents. Reading social media and getting either more fired up or more depressed doesn’t do shit if it doesn’t propel me to action.
My politically active friends won’t want to hear this, but I’m probably not going to be calling my representatives. I’m probably not going to attend any protests. Hell, I’m probably not even going to volunteer at the local soup kitchen. The most I’m inclined to do right now is find a good cause and throw money at it — and even that is unlikely, since it would behoove me to throw money at my own retirement accounts instead.
Right now, my action is to be kind and tolerant, and to teach my son the same. To interact with people — the more diverse, the better. To speak up and push back where I see hatred and intolerance. To talk to the homeless guy waiting for his ride. To buy a copy of Toledo Streets for $1.
I created a new folder on my iPhone and named it Hiatus. I moved the Facebook app and my Twitter client of choice into it (along with my favorite game, Two Dots), and I’m going to leave it alone for a while. Once I feel like I can respond to comments and notifications again without getting sucked down the rabbit hole, I’ll return and interact with my online friends. Until then, you can reach me by commenting here on the blog or sending me an email or a text.
Be the change you want to see in the world.