Before I get into it today - I want to point out that not everyone is going to agree with me here. In our movement, we all can have different perspectives and (must!) still work together and respect each other!
Today was Jimmy Carter’s funeral, and all the former presidents that are alive were there.
From the campaign trail, Obama had some absolutely scathing warnings for people (including specifically calling out black men) about the 45th President’s (at the time) potential return to office. Warnings and thoughts about 45, by the way, that I find to be true.
Cut to today - I was extremely shocked to see that they were laughing and chatting together for a while. See:
I don’t necessarily know what I would have expected, although it is interesting that others did not even acknowledge Trump.
There’s not one way of handling things, and no one way of politicking - although based on the extremely dire warnings Obama gave, this makes me think he didn’t believe those things fully - or something?
If he believed those things he said about Trump, why would he be laughing and chatting like old friends? I do think my immediate reaction would have been different if he hadn’t be so adamant about the existential threat, etc that Trump was, on the campaign trail. It isn’t like he has to work with him, Obama is not in Congress or government at all.
I am trying to continue to process this, but I am really not feeling great about it at the moment; but I will hold off a fully formed opinion until I give myself extra time on it.
What are your thoughts? Reach out to me on Bluesky to engage with me (politely!) about your thoughts.
Looking to grow your network on Bluesky? Check out these starter packs.
I’ll keep this list updated as I create new ones, and as I find ones created by others that I would like to share!
If you are in the mobile Bluesky app right now, the links will work but will not dismiss this screen correctly. I recommend opening this up in your phone’s browser (Safari or Chrome) and closing this screen, first.
Peter had an amazing life, including being the “Peter” in Peter, Paul, and Mary - the folk music group.
As a group and individually, Peter, Paul, and Mary participated in numerous social activism efforts, including marching with Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma.
Additionally, and more personally, they wrote one of my favorite songs; Puff, the Magic Dragon.
If you haven’t heard the song, take a few minutes to listen:
Every time, and I mean every single time I hear this song it makes me cry - sometimes even just the thought of it tears me up. No other song or piece of media has this effect on me at all.
The topic of the song always gets to me, and it also reminds me of my childhood as my dad would always sing this song to me. Growing up is hard and reflecting on it is emotional; friends who are no longer friends, “good old times” disappearing seemingly overnight, toys and stuffed animals lost to time…
