Like many of you, I am deeply afraid for the future of our country and our world. I fear for our children, for our environment, and for ourselves. The dangers we face are real: the next years will be very difficult. The urge to panic feels terribly powerful.
Yet there is a basic response that we can all take that is different: We should all stand up.
I stand with my neighbors, my family, and my friends. I stand with Muslims, Arabs, Mexicans, immigrants, queers, women, victims of state violence, and anyone else facing oppression. I stand against hate and for tolerance
I stand for the values that must be defended at the heart of our country:
–A vibrant public sphere, the core of democracy; freedom of speech, freedom of inquiry and thought
–The thirst for justice and the practice of honesty
–Tolerance and the belief in the power of diversity
–Our mutual responsibility for each other’s well being.
I stand against the overweening power of the few over the many.
I stand with the few, downtrodden, abused, and hated by the many.
I stand for freedom AND justice.
I will continue to stand for as long as I can.