Hopey changey is in the air

First crucifixion, then resurrection

Photo by Carl Hunley Jr on Unsplash

Remember when Barack Obama ran for president on the platform of Hope and Change? Well, today for the first time in a while, I feel like it’s back in the air— and maybe not just because it’s the first sunny day it’s gotten over 58° this year in Juneau, Alaska.

Today we see that resistance works— and that Martin Luther King Jr. was right when he said, “The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

• The State Department withdrew its proposal to establish an autism registry.

• Judge Hannah Dugan, arrested for allegedly sheltering a migrant, was released.

• Elon Musk is out of Trump‘s government, following the votes in Wisconsin and a massive boycott of Tesla.

• The tariffs have largely been rolled back.

• 10,000 people in Tel Aviv protested the atrocities of Gaza.

• Dozens of organizations led by both Palestinians and Israelis are coming together to stand for justice & peace with this summer standing-together.org/i… And many cities around the world are supporting them.

• Mexico’s President, Claudia Scheinbaum, nominated for Top 100 by Time Magazine, officially banned the Trump propaganda from airing on Mexican TV.

• Today, a federal judge blocked Trump’s use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants, citing due process violations. “The ruling is a massive win for immigrant rights and proof that Trump’s authoritarian playbook is collapsing in courtrooms across America.” —from @mrantifascism.com (BlueSky)

• Zelenskyy received loud applause at the Pope’s funeral.

• 40 mourners chosen from the poorest communities, including trans women and migrants, greeted the pontiff’s coffin as it was carried up the steps of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. The request to invite the poor and dispossessed came from Pope Francis himself.

With the passing of the first pope from Latin America, the world is witnessing an antithesis to the current U.S. administration. While U.S. leaders go after the most vulnerable, Pope Francis protected and advocated for the most vulnerable.

Pope Francis was the first pope to openly advocate for the queer community. He appointed four-fifths of the Cardinals in charge of the succession, so hopefully his spirit and mission will live on in the next appointed Pope.

This is what he looked like as a young man. You’re welcome.

It should be noted, however, that his stance on transgender individuals was troubling. As far as transgender advocacy, the Catholic Church still has a ways to go.

Still, it’s fitting that we just celebrated Easter, a time when we remember that resurrection follows crucifixion. We’re still in the crucifixion part, but Easter and spring give us hope that resurrection will follow. Better a resurrection than an insurrection!

And speaking of words that end in erection, I almost spit out my coffee when I learned that the person who almost makes me regret bringing children into this world wants to be the fertility president.

When my best friends and I all got pregnant, everyone said, “Must be something in the water!”

You know what was in the water? Barack Obama.

You know what would make me fertile again?

• quality affordable childcare

• fully funded public schools

• a partner who contributes equally to housework and childcare

• a village

• reduced gun violence

• a future habitable planet

• making kindness and empathy cool again

• making “weird” cool again - not weirdo Republicans obsessed with children’s genitals and women’s uteruses (uteri?)

I could go on, but I’ll stop there, as I’m getting sad again and my crocuses want to be happy!

So, I leave you with this stunning bird formation above the Vatican yesterday, the day of Pope Francis’ funeral.

Thank you for reading. Your subscription — free or paid — gives me hope.

Summer