It's Not Just About the Miles

When I joined Facebook a few years ago, it was with the intent to stay in touch with my cycling friends and to participate in the online community forming around the Israel Ride which had become my passion.  Little did I know how much time I would spend "liking" cute photos of other peoples' grandchildren, dramatic sunsets from parts of the world I will never see and sharing birthday greetings with friends far and wide.  I have shared my cycling adventures and some lovely family moments.  While I have read many of the political postings from friends and friends of friends, I have tried to keep my own FB presence low.  I have avoided posting or sharing political links and have pretty much kept my opinions to myself.  

Of course, I am not without political opinions.  In the aftermath of this past election, I have had many conversations about how to respond to the outrageous positions Trump had staked out during the campaign. We have spoken of having to draw lines the crossing of which would require action, but I confess I was in the camp of naive hopefuls who prayed that once in office, he - or at least his advisors - would recognize that governing requires moderation of extreme views, tempering of impulse and building of coalitions.

Sadly, but perhaps not surprisingly, in the first week of this Administration so many lines have been crossed that is it difficult to know which ones to pick,  Healthcare?  Freedom of the press? Conflicts of interest? They all demand to be called out, but some will stroke more quickly, cut more deeply,  And it is now clear without doubt that there cannot be a wait-and-see period.  There can be no honeymoon.  We must declare ourselves now, show where we stand and be counted.

For me, the first (of which I fear will be many) is the Executive Order on Immigration.  Leaving aside the lack of historical relation to actual threats to our homeland, the apparent conflicts of interest in avoiding countries with which Trump does business, and, oh yes, the violations of law and our Constitution, as a Jew, it sickens me that our country has shut its doors to entire populations based countries of origin - but really based on religion.  It is beyond irony that this abominable action was taken on Holocaust Remembrance Day.  How many lives were lost because the United States closed its doors to Jews desparate to escape the Nazi terror?  How many future generations snuffed out?  Have we learned nothing from history?  How can we claim any high ground in a world that is rapidly losing its moral compass?

So what does this have to do with Facebook?  As more and more of our lives are intertwined with social media, we can no longer ignore that our presence on this platform has become almost as prevelent as our conversations in person.  While speaking on social media is no substitute for action, and posting is no substitute for showing up, it does provide a platform on which we can stand and be counted.  

And so, while most of my flesh and blood friends know where I stand, not all of my virtual friends do. At this dark moment in our history, I will - and do - declare myself.  Where there is room for debate, I hope there will be civil discourse.  Where there is a chance for progress, I hope it will be made.  But we cannot be passive.  We cannot assume that others will carry the burden of reason and reality (after all, he was elected...).  If our history tells us anything it tells us that we are each accountable, we are each responsible.

May our voices be heard, may our presence be felt, and by our actions may we preserve that of which as a nation we can be proud.

L'hitra-ot,

Lester