Living in times of cautious joyfulness

I avoid writing about politics publicly and it is not because of a lack of opinion. Most times, it does not age well and almost always ends up offending somebody unintentionally.

My heart has been anxious and my sleep erratic for the past three nights. Like rest of the world and all people on tenterhooks about the US election, I too, have been following the numbers closely. Even with Democrat's clear victory at hand, it seems unlikely that the transition will be smooth. For a country so divided, another civil war hangs on the precipice. 

I am not a US citizen. How does this even affect me? I don't have to worry about the taxes and healthcare and gun-violence in America. I don't even have to deal with "I want to speak to your manager" and "Speak English, your (sic) in America" type of people. Neither do I have to participate in shooting-drills or worry about my job if I go on a maternity leave. I have a fair autonomy on my own body. Why then, must I care?

You must be familiar with the phrase "The American Dream". The promise of a land of the free and spirited. A place of equality and opportunities. A haven of the wonderful life. This was a grand vision until the internet revolution showed us the dark side of capitalism. People like us, slaving away our hours, scraping every penny we earned, longed for a taste of that air, for a chance to live in the picture that has been hanging in the empty castles in our heads. That painting is fading, the castle crumbling and the dream is being poisoned into a nightmare.

My interest started about 12 years ago, when Obama won the race. A country with a recent history of slavery, and civil rights movement, had elected their first African-American president. Around the same time, I discovered that the portrait I associated America with, was not as rosy as I thought. The nation was marred with its own troubles and I was understandably appalled on realizing that there was little hope for working class even in a country that boasted of a strong economy and a general elevated status almost everywhere.

Why America, are your minimum wages vastly lower than your living expenses? Why is your service industry class dependent on tips? Why are your medical facilities so inaccessible to the non-rich? Why are women harassed in abortion clinics? Apparently, the "Dream" is only for the already wealthy.

When Hillary campaigned for president in 2016, going up against Donald Trump, I figured this one was easily in the bag, for never had I seen someone so competent and ready for the position battle someone so polar opposite, whose greatest accomplishment was starring in a reality show. All through the campaign, there were several allegations against both candidates. One of them hounded for some emails and her gender, the other not even getting a slap on the wrist for being racist, xenophobic, misogynist, corrupt, dishonest and liar, on record.

I screamed at my screen when I saw the results. My mind failing to comprehend the possibility. You had someone who was accomplished, who had first-hand experience in the white house, who had been closely associated with politics, knew the lay of the land, was eloquent, was diplomatic, had poise and grace of a leader, yet, you CHOSE to go with the person with zero experience as a politician, a failed businessman with 4 bankruptcies, and multiple court cases against him for sexual assault and unkept deals.

It broke the hearts of women everywhere. You are telling us that no matter how hard we try, how good we are at our jobs, and even if we are the best fit for the position, we won't get a chance, because you think women should not lead? It is a scary statement coming from such a developed nation as yours. Even countries that you call "third-world", have had women presidents and prime ministers. Why would you not give us a contemporary role-model?

Everyday, for the past 4 years, we have lived on the fringes of a miscalculated step. The world should not have to live in the possibility of a third world war. So many nations, should not have been provoked. The government should not have gone against its own people and strip them of basic human rights. And here we are, all of our fears materializing before our eyes. Are you truly failing to understand that a hard-core capitalist society will break your backs? My dear fellows, are you eating cakes?

I don't daresay the year 2020 has been easy for any of us. And even with this little piece of good news, I am scared to hope. Until you show us you can do better, that the society still has a moral fabric, the rest of the world will keep looking at you with an eyebrow raised.