Here I sit today on my Key West porch a half mile from the Gulf of Mexico (I’m not switching; it’s a little piece of resistance). It’s a lovely mid-February day. I helped some friends this morning, did my workout, added a half hour of yoga, then went to Publix for the weekly groceries. Chatted up the checkout girl and the nice folks behind me in line. Cleaned the bathroom and fed Molly the Cat, who at 18 is still my kitten. Telephoned the new pastor about software for the church office. Planned leftovers for supper.
And I did my midday digital scroll through the unraveling of America’s — and Florida’s — constitutional democracy. Lands, we are in a world of hurt. That train’s done left the tracks and is hurtling, unstoppable, over the cliff. Even if some super-heroine reached down and grabbed the engine mid-free-fall, the wreckage behind it will take at least a decade to clear.
This isn’t politics. Doesn’t matter if one is all-in for firing federal employees (“worms,” according to Elon Musk), getting rid of the good folks at NOAA and the National Weather Service, who are our lifelines during hurricanes, or cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid since we know old people and kids at risk are fraudsters. Doesn’t matter if we’re cheering for stopping development in the Keys, getting rid of cruise ships that harm our waters, restoring the coral reefs or protecting island workers from deportation. Doesn’t matter if I’m about to lose my rights to vote and manage my money without a man to co-sign. We’re all going to feel this.
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Gotta admit, there’s a chunk of my brain that says, “Scream away, my friends. We’re doomed.” But that’s neither helpful nor productive. I will not sacrifice my humanity, my compassion, on the altar of despair, outrage and futility. Instead, here’s how I am coping — and resisting (beyond that Gulf thing).
First, acceptance. I will accept that I will have to walk this path. Don’t want to, of course, but we’re not going back to the ways it used to be. We are in the proverbial uncharted waters and we’re going to have to get through them. No super-heroine is coming to save us.
Second, faith in the future and the basic goodness of people. I absolutely know we will find our ways through and that we will be OK when the crises are resolved — and they will be. Though it may not be rainbows and unicorns again in my lifetime, the arching toward justice will happen. How long will it take? I’m predicting 8 to 10 years. Tops. (Assuming, of course, we don’t actually blow up Earth.)
Third, commit to the “little things”: I can do something every day to make someone else’s life better. I can be gracious, compassionate and caring. I can do for a neighbor or stranger what they can’t do for themselves. It’s up to each of us, individually and together, to make our country a place of justice. We do not need laws and regulations to do the right things. We can simply do good. Never, ever forget that.
Show up. Speak out. Hold a hand. Sit and listen. Join a protest, as did 100 Key West folks this past Monday at the federal courthouse. Bake a cake. Sweep the sidewalk, as does my neighbor, Sheldon. Pick up litter with seven dozen other Key Westers in Plogging the Keys. Send a check to those helping others, like Habitat for Humanity, the United Way, the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, Last Stand, Queer Keys and the SOS Foundation. Make a donation to those fighting in the courts to help them minimize the damage.
And fourth, I will give voice to the voiceless for as long as I am able to think and write. I can say aloud and write the words that others fear sharing. Won’t make me popular with the trolls and it’s likely to put me in the crosshairs of those who dream of a country run by and for powerful white, straight men. I don’t care. It’s not an easy place to be. But I will do it because I can. Silence is not an option.
(Author’s note: Featured image photo of the federal protest on Feb. 14, 2025, courtesy of Roger Cousineau.)
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I agree with your column about taking action for what’s right. I believe in community before politics. Years ago I would write a good number of letters to the editor about my concerns in our community but over the years our local newspapers don’t seem interested in printing my view point. as if they were afraid for others to read my observations.
My question to key west Island news is if I submit a letter to the editor would you print it? This is one of the most important needs of any community which is good honest news. Information the community should know about and not have hidden from them.
Bring back a decent local newspaper to the Florida Keys so our voices can be heard and not muffled.
That is the first thing we need to fight local and national corruption. and also to bring the community together
No guarantees, but I’d be happy to consider it. Feel free to email it to me along with a two or three sentence bio. editor@keywestislandnews.com
Well said! As usual you are spot on & speak/write what many are thinking.
Thank you