by Irit is executive director of the Trinity Center in Austin, which serves the homeless community. She is one of the most loving people I have ever known. Her words really speak to how far into anger and despair so many with good hearts have been driven by the current administration and its lack of compassion, empathy and caring. I appreciate her willingness to express the dark thoughts that she carries so heavily in her heart, along with glimmers of hope.
Mueller breaks his silence to defend Russia investigation and Stone prosecution—WaPo
Trump Wears Mask In Public For First Time During Walter Reed Visit—NPR
What the police really believe—Vox
July 11, 2020
The “best in the world”?
by Irit Umani, Austin, Texas
Oh, how frustrated I am! And disappointed and angry. And mind-blown, actually.
What are we “the best in the world” at?
- Stupidity
- Selfishness
- Cruelty
- All of the above?
This 4th of July was difficult for me. Was it for you too?
I did not feel celebratory about our prisons being for-profit enterprises or how many people we house in them. I was not joyous about the number of homeless people in our streets. Or about police brutality and racism in general toward people of color. I was not glad with our health care system. I felt no pride in how we care for the elderly, or in the quality of our education of kids and how many of them need food assistance.
This was a difficult Independence Day. I felt independent of nothing and dependent on everyone.
There are, however, glimmers of hope, I think. I want to go to New York and walk on the big beautiful yellow painting of Black Lives Matter in front of the Criminal’s tower. It reminds me of the record cover of the Beatles’ Abby Road; a road of hope. I believe that we might throw the self-absorbed fascist out of power come November. I think that we may learn a lot about who we are and what MUST change. I think enough of us are ready for these changes and that some changes for the better are on the way.
The bubble of The Land of the Free and the Brave has burst for me, and colorful fireworks were not enough to make me feel happy, let alone proud, to be an American. Yet my deep faith in the human potential for good is still glimmering somewhere inside.
May all beings be well.
Ruth Neuwald Falcon 
So good to know that I am not alone in my shock, anger, and grief as I view the havoc this administration has brought down upon us. The light at the end of the tunnel beckons us to move forward! Thank you for expressing this so clearly!
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Your words. My feelings exactly. Thank you for sharing your heart.
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This July 4th was hard for me, too, as I am so un-proud of my country at this time. I almost did not put out my US flag as I always do. However, my husband said that this is our country and we have to fight to see it be the country we would like to see, so I put the flag out for the day.
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Your words mirror my own thoughts exactly. I am disgusted by our “leadership” but even more disappointed in people. We KNEW who Trump was going in, so no surprise except that he is capable of even greater cruelty than ever imagined. But US? The people? Where are those big-hearted Americans who have always been the soul of this nation…at least that’s the folklore I grew up with. What happened to us?
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