I guess I didn’t expect what happened last night. Being naive I believed people would make the right choice. For me it was a decision between right and wrong. Millions of people made that wrong choice and I’m having a hard time understanding it. Putting politics aside I have to wonder how you can check a box next to a persons name that makes fun of the disabled. That insults other human beings. That bullies and intimidates others to get ahead. All the things that I was taught as a child around care and respect all tossed aside.
I chose the image above for a reason. That child is innocent. They had no control of the events that led up to the receiving of this flag, to take the place of a loved one lost to war. Knowing that for the next four years a man that I have no respect for and no faith in will be responsible for decisions that will impact those left behind. The degradation of our nation began with the 2016 election and has continued ever since. I thought we could leave this idealogy behind and work together for the common good, finding compormise to move forward. I remember a day where I may not have liked the choice but I respected the individual that was chosen. That is no longer true.
If you voted for him, help me understand how you could look beyond all the ugliness, all the hate. I desperately want to understand. Right now that is hard. I want to blame you for all that is to come. The chaos will come, it is the unfortunate byproduct of this person. He exudes confrontation, hate and ugliness. I am afraid for the future of our country and the safety of my family.
Over the next four years Ii will try to escape into my art. Find something meaningful to place my energy. My politics are as much a part of me as my photography is. I will somehow combine the two in projects to come. I understand that many may disagree with me and that is ok. I know who I am and what my values are, do you?
Until Next Time,
John