I will preface this by saying that I do not care if there are typos or grammatical errors. It’s early.
Over the past couple of days, I’ve been doing my best to not stare at the disaster that is the ‘western world.’ It ain’t good, folks. But, I find as I turn away from certain borders, I find I’m inundated with holier than thou comments, posts, etc. basically towing the ‘it couldn’t happen here’ line. It’s like you can’t walk a block without stepping in a pile of absolute dogs hit these days, and it’s getting me down. It’s happening here, ok? We have spent generations making moon eyes at the A******n Dream like it wouldn’t turn around and give us HPV, and now, we probably won’t be able to get the vaccine to prevent it.
I was told yesterday about the latest critical juncture of censorship washing over the neighbours (if you don’t know what I’m referring to, I’m sorry, I won’t be providing links, names, references or any assistance to help you doomscrolling. This post is enough of an apocalyptic rant). This morning, I found myself sitting here thinking ‘where are the Free Speech Warriors? Where are the millionbillionaire artists?’ It was like when I was dusting off my bookshelves the other day. ‘Of course it’s super dusty. You haven’t dealt with this in ages.’ We have also spent generations avoiding dealing with the long con of big money. This is no conspiracy theory. This is why we can’t have comprehensive health care (healthy teeth are a privilege of the ruling class, you see) or free education (keep ‘em stupid so we can keep ‘em voting for the good ol’ boys). We’ve voted in lobbyists solely interested in more more more and securing their future when they decide to slam the door behind them. We’ve allowed the artistic community, in particular musicians, to fall prey to the same shitty treatment on a more grand, more devious scale because we’ve been trained that music should be free (I agree but that’s a bigger conversation about capitalism, patriarchy, and Universal Basic Income that I don’t want to get into this morning). Now, the sales driver attributes of singles charts sit like granite monoliths, shifting only when the new multimillion selling pop star decides to release new material, sending three or four singles out to clog up the 8 songs in current rotation. The platinum class that have the world stages and are allowed to be exposed on grand scales don’t give a shit about what’s going on. This is the illusion of wealth kicking in. Same with the free speech podcast male pattern baldness babymen. There’s enough of a money buffer to keep them removed, elevated. For now. But this shit comes for everyone eventually. Deep down, the silent millionaires know this. They think their silence is their safety net. It’s complicity, and it’s on a timer.
The thing that blows my mind, that breaks my heart with its callousness, is the ability for a successful capitalist artist to ask you for your money along with your undying loyalty, then turn around and shut the door behind them. These are days that are pivotal to future generations having all the things we take for granted in this world. These are days that could bring us all together. Your fandom, your unwavering faith in your favourite millionaire singer, podcaster, actor needs to switch gears. Demand more than a new Instagram post of their campaign.
While a huge responsibility falls at the feet of artists hoarding wealth, more responsibility rests in the hands of the politicians that we’ve allowed to access the well of fame. They are public servants first, but almost all have been intoxicated by this well. Stop making memes of politicians, and engage. Vote. I know people who do not, and as a minority (aging, Gay, Aging Gay), it’s incredibly disappointing. We are in a time where we are being told what to do by people hired by us. That’s not how this works. We do not have to follow in lockstep with A******. We know what the game at hand is. Those who want us out of the way, silent, gone, have shown their hand. Empathy trumps everything. There are local elections coming up. My greatest wish is that everyone thinks of the most vulnerable around them, and figures out which of the candidates are willing to step up to the plate to protect them. Because when that is a priority, we all benefit. We all win. Not just the handful getting their chance by doing nothing at all.
Look, I’m aware there’s a thousand better thought-out pieces than mine, but I find myself retreating, sometimes for that same reason. I just needed to write it out today. I’m no scholar but I do know that anyone telling you to divide from the pack is trying to eat you. Stay connected by talking, by sharing, by making stuff, by voting. This Us v Them culture we’re mired in is so tiring. But once the molasses melts off, the Them is, like, 20 white men and their compliant, complicit wives. Oh, and their Grindr hookups. It’s time to name names, ok?
Anyway. Be well. Drink water. Get some sleep. xoc.