One of Stephen Colbert’s recurring “shticks” on the Late Show is a bit he calls “Meanwhile.” He begins by explaining that X is happening, but meanwhile…there’s Y and Z, factoids that are hardly earth-shattering, but intriguing (and usually very funny).
A lot of us–especially those who participate in discussions here–obsessively follow government and politics, and are currently mourning America’s suicidal plunge back into the unresolved hatreds and fantasies of the past. I’m certainly not going to advise “checking out”–although many of us are currently taking a vacation from the avalanche of depressing news–but I am going to counsel a detour into “meanwhile.”
Did far too many Americans vote affirmatively for ugly and hateful? Did too many consider the explicit threats to “others”–people with identities different from their own–irrelevant? Did far too many Americans ignore their most basic civic responsibility, which was to cast an informed ballot? Are we currently being inundated with after-the-fact “analyses” by self-important and un-self-aware pundits convinced that if Democrats had just done it their way, the result would be different?
Yes, yes and yes. All of it.
But meanwhile, in hundreds of communities, good people are continuing to do good things. Friends are volunteering at homeless shelters. Congregations that take seriously the moral teachings of their churches, synagogues and mosques are sponsoring food banks and offering sanctuary. Professional organizations are continuing to provide legal and medical assistance to folks in poor communities. The list goes on, and these efforts will be even more important as the assault on various types of federal assistance takes hold.
There are literally millions of efforts constantly underway to lend assistance to one group or another, or to bring a bit of joy to people who have less, or who who face adversity of one sort or another.
One example: on my desk at this moment is a flyer given to me by a friend who is (over)involved in such efforts, who has asked me to assist his nonprofit by helping sell tickets to “A Broadway Christmas,” featuring Anthony Nunziata. (Nunziata is described on the flyer as “A Carnegie Hall Headliner dubbed America’s New Singing Sensation.”) According to. my friend, Nunziata is donating his performance, because the entire event is intended to support an organization called “Kids Dance Outreach.” It’s a nonprofit that serves disabled children, ages 2-14, in school and after-school dance programs.
The organization’s webpage describes its mission as “To positively impact the lives of all children through joyful dance programs that inspire excellence, instill confidence, encourage teamwork, and applaud persistence.” It also says its free programs have served over twenty-two thousand children thus far.
With a commitment to providing high-quality dance education to all children, all KDO programs are inclusive for children with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities. The Dancers with Disabilities Programs offer further opportunities specifically designed for children with disabilities to learn and grow in a safe and joyful environment.
(The program my friend is promoting will be held at 7:00 pm at Broadway United Methodist Church on December 14th. Anyone in Indianapolis interested in attending can purchase tickets on the website.)
Efforts like this one may seem irrelevant–or at least, small potatoes– to those of us consumed with worry over Trump’s ability to deliver imminent, widespread harm . Dancing children? Fiddling while Rome burns, thanks to our own American Nero? But efforts like this one–and there are literally millions of similar, seemingly irrelevant programs across this country–programs that testify to the presence of millions of good people working with others to brighten the lives of those who are less fortunate or who face challenges the rest of us have been spared.
There’s a recent cartoon (I think from the New Yorker) that struck me. I’m paraphrasing, but in the single panel, one woman is telling another that–upon consideration following the election– her mistake was believing in the goodness of a majority of Americans. It’s tempting to take that lesson from the undeniable fact that millions of Americans cast votes for a vicious, mentally-ill criminal with a clearly-articulated desire to destroy America’s constitutional democracy.
But that would be the wrong lesson.
Yes, a sizable portion–probably a majority– of Trump’s vote came from the out-and-out bigots: racists, anti-Semites and misogynists he intentionally courted. But many others voted from ignorance fostered by dependence on right-wing propaganda. And all of those votes together did not reach 50% of the total cast.
Meanwhile, millions of Americans were volunteering or otherwise supporting the multitude of not-for-profit and voluntary organizations which exist only to help others. True, it isn’t enough. We have significant systemic issues we need to resolve.
But at times like these, it’s worth remembering.
My 3 year old autistic grandson’s school is collecting peanut butter and jelly for the pantry, his class has 5 little ones. My Dec goal is to help fill the pantry and his class win the ice cream party. Meanwhile..it’s plaid day to celebrate fall.
Humans find storytellers fascinating. In addition to great amateurs, including kids, who we all enjoy face-to-face, there are also professionals in all media. The best are like mirrors that help us understand who we are.
They can be the backbone of charities of all kinds. Most of us like giving, and I observe that those with the least give the most of what they have.
So, yes, there still are many things to be thankful for. One is today’s post—thank you for that. May your holiday be peaceful and pleasant.
Professor-Love this!
It’s certainly beneficial to keep away from the TV and helping others is a great way to spend some of that time. Balance is essential. And when you help others, you’re not thinking about yourself and your woes which is a major bonus. 🙂
The more Trump surrounds himself with dimwitted sycophantic loyalists, the more I anticipate a dumpster fire in Washington. Other than Tulsi and Russ Vought, I don’t expect any leadership from any of them. They will take orders directly from Trump and that won’t work. Does anybody think Biden controlled his subordinates at his age? Why do people think Trump is up for the task after watching his rambling and obscene campaign rallies?
A subservient press hoping to avoid the wrath of Trump will just expedite their decades-long decline. We need to start an office pool on how long Trump and Musk can work together. Toss in Vance and his puppeteer, Peter Thiel, and the EGOS in the room will be substantial, yet Trump wants to make the final decisions on all matters. Trump is no Hitler or Mussolini no matter how hard he tries to be the top dog.
Most of the folks on here can find local or regional efforts to spend their time and extra money to support. Let’s not focus too much on Trump when we have Braun and Beckwith in Indiana. The Hoosier Environmental Council will be plenty busy as Trump’s team rolls back environmental protection. And don’t forget, the energy/utility companies received billions in green energy investments under Biden and are making that transition. They won’t want to abandon those investments.
Plato was right, one of the negative consequences of us not paying attention and being informed is that we will be ruled by our inferiors. We are living that out in Washington and Indianapolis beginning in 2025.
Thank you Sheila fie this very positive column today . And for some great ideas for putting our time to better use.
This week your Indiana Quaker friend Philip Gulley spoke about the
“meanwhile “ work as mortar that holds up our structures. It is inspiring and I will paste the link here. Similarly, I and thousands of others talk about the same meanwhile-mortar strategy as the Nonviolence Movement (Thetaoofnonviolence.com). When lots of us do what may seem to be our individual “good trouble” – but with knowledge of an overarching intention to move the culture toward better health, peace, equanimity – it all adds up. Change comes in fits and starts but it comes.
https://open.substack.com/pub/philipgulley/p/dos-and-donts-in-times-of-change-855?r=8gmgo&utm_medium=ios
Combat hate with love and a sprinkling of courage. It will take both.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
A wonderful counterpoint to the reporting of every fart emanating from the mouth of the orange anus. This morning I noted that he has been ranting at someone from the N.Y. Times, Ms. Haberman, I believe.
Meanwhile the “Friends of the Library,” here, is spending already donated money to repair a “Story Trail” in a local park…and so on.
todays my medicare wellness check. shots etc,(,I will ask the doc about the rfk disease going around) we have a small town clinic,all women,still free from corp graps,(for now). one Doc here works with a local food pantry, shes getting my donation in cash. and the staff gets my bag of various chocolate stuff. best wishes as the swamps rise.
Todd:
from what ive seen on balanced. none. trump over ruled the airwaves for 9 years now. that fair and balanced is, (fill in the blank) trump and friends all lied with help from mass media in any slant to get the republican mob elected. the ignorant led on more ignorance. the news media of any form kicked retaliation from the progressives like they never existed of were fake news. corp dominance ruled this election. they use social media like a fairy tale of saving them all from themselves. mass communication was used to deliver,and now they relize how cheap they made America in the eyes of,the world.
In Downtown Indianapolis Hoosier Veterans and Families just had a fire which affected around 40-50 veterans that were housed. [I’m sure they could use donations this year.
I have been giving donations to help with reforestation in a variety of places.
The Continental Dance Club of Indianapolis is a regular supporter of the KDO. In cash with their weekly 50-50 drawing, and in person with several members serving as teachers and/or coaches in the school programs. It is wonderful to see the joyous faces of these kids when they successfully complete their dance routines. I highly recommend this program.
The fact that Trump’s vote didn’t cross the 50% threshold isn’t the point. The country is in serious trouble as 77 million people voted for him. If you extrapolate unscientifically that total across the entire over 18 population that means something in the neighborhood of 130 million adults support this authoritarian demagogue who is a convicted criminal psychopath along with dozens of other pejorative yet true adjectives I could use. That is a huge issue and is why many people want to take a step back. This wasn’t and isn’t an aberration. It’s sadly what and who the country is and that’s why people want to stop fighting and withdraw and give up and just selfishly take care of of our friends and relatives and people we care about. The Democrats are equally to blame having lost two winnable elections to Trump with weak candidates, poor strategy, etc. and there is no simple cause or solution but the system has failed. The US isn’t reflective of who I am or want to be. I’m fed up
For me two things dominate the good I can do.
For the head, education causes. This is what people need most, and it is what our society needs most.
For the heart, animal causes. Both because we don’t deserve them, and because turning kindness to animals into a cause is also educating other humans to have more empathy.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Sheila, may I ask politely to not use the word “factoid” incorrectly. A factoid is a piece of information that is presented as a fact but is actually false, or a brief or trivial piece of news or information that is true: Invented fact: A made-up piece of information that is believed to be true because it appears in print
Brief or trivial fact: A short, often trivial news item
The term was coined in 1973 by American writer Norman Mailer. It has become part of everyday language, and is often used in a disapproving way.
An example of a factoid is the incorrect claim that the Great Wall of China is visible from space with the naked eye.
(Note: to be fair, the word is used incorrectly so often now that it may soon be the normal usage. [The TV show “The Big Bang Theory used the incorrect meaning often.])
Like I’ve said before, there is plenty of evidence that this will turn out exactly the same as Germany did in the late 20s 30s and ’40s.
The difference is, everyone has nukes, and most politicians today couldn’t find their backsides with both hands and a flashlight. They are not in it for doing the good, they’re into it for promoting and enriching self.
Christ said the whole law hangs on love God and love your neighbor. And if you love God, you’re going to follow his edicts and scripture. Fruitage of the Spirit Galatians the 5th chapter, and take care of the foreign resident in Leviticus. Old and New testament. That’s just a couple of examples! And yet, you have these hypocrites claim to be doing the will of God! It is not the will of God, it’s the will of their ego!
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. It is therefore nothing extraordinary if his ministers also keep disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. But their end will be according to their works. (2nd Corinthians 11th chapter)
Humanity insists on doing their own thing as never before. They are becoming gods, and expect to be treated as such.”—Financial Times, newspaper, England
Many Blessings to you Sheila –
for sharing your hard-work, gifts and spirit of generosity.