It seems fitting to post my word of the year today, on this dark day, on inauguration day.
My 2017 word of the year is COURAGE.
I knew this would be my word before the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve. There was no soul searching needed.
2017 has to be the year to find the courage to fight, to speak, to reach out, to beyond the day to day to reject stasis and the forces of normalization. The temptation to dive deep under the covers is strong. My Facebook feed and the news is filled with the terrifying results of the election. The repeal of the ACA. The proposed sale of public lands. A possible muslim registry. A head of the department of education who doesn’t believe in investing in public schools. From all sides, the nightmare grows.
And so courage is needed.
Tomorrow I march, in Chicago, alongside women I’ve known for years and some I’ve only met as a result of my outrage. My conversations around town have changed in tone and subject. After living here for 6 years, I’m finding my people, my tribe, those I can call on to join me in marching, protesting, and demanding that our government represent everyone.
This is an awakening, a call to arms, and although things look dark today, good will come of this.