Thursday, November 17, 2016

A Quick Update

Well guys, it’s been a tough month between school and the election, and it’s only half way over.

I know not everyone is going to agree with that assessment, but I can’t pretend that hasn’t been the truth for me, my family, and lots of people I care about, not to mention people around the country and the word.

Yes, everything might work out for the best, and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure it does, but as a historian (and a queer woman and an American), I can’t pretend this isn’t unprecedented and upsetting. I don’t plan on stopping this blog, and I don’t plan on shifting the primary focus of it onto politics rather than food, but I wanted to address this. It has been very, very difficult to get excited about contributing to a blog that - for better or worse - tends to focus on the celebratory side of American history in the wake of the election. I can’t just go on as if nothing has changed. The world is more than food and pretty dolls.

I keep thinking about a quote from Franklin Roosevelt’s speech as he accepted the Democratic Party’s renomination for President in 1936: “To some generations, much is given. To others, much is expected.” A lot has been given to us and a lot will be expected. We all have a responsibility to make sure we get through the next four years together, and I hope we rise to that challenge by being empathetic, supportive and courageous.

Roosevelt completed his thought by saying that “This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.” We can all help make sure that we meet it in the best way possible. I hope you’re willing to help make that happen.

And for now, that's it for me. I'm going to try to get a post written about Kit's trip to the Smithsonian written up this weekend, so stay tuned for that.

And here's a dessert from AGP DC.

8 comments:

  1. When the British tried to send us old moldy tea, we responded by throwing it in a harbor because we didn't want it...yes, that was taxation without representation repercussion but it was also doing what Americans do best - acting on inspiration from injustice. All over the county, we are hearing of people willing to fight for what some of us thought over a week a go were basic rights. The responsible women of the revolution ditched their imported tea for a time (afterall, we were drinking it in America 11 years before the British anyway) exchanging it for Liberty Tea.

    Pour yourself a cuppa and keep going, Sister. We're still in this together. I shall raise my glass to you from here while waiting for your post on Kit's trip!

    Love you, Dolling!

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    1. Something tells me we need to feature Liberty Tea on the blog sooner rather than later! Thanks for saying this, it was a real boost to read last month.

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  2. Here, here, Gwen and Nonna! Let us also remember another great president, "A house divided against itself, cannot stand". Let's push through this and have undaunted courage for what the future brings.
    Go high!

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  3. Very well put! I think so many of us are still in shock at the moment. Looking forward to hearing about Kit's trip though.

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  4. Well said! We are all in this together.

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  5. Let us cry like the world is ending and then fight like we won't dare let it.

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  7. Hug the dolls for comfort and then take inspiration from Melody, Samantha's Aunt Cornelia and Felicity to fight for your rights. You're in the right place at the right time for that.

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