Remember

Remember these numbers, 217 - 213. This was the vote tally in the House of Representatives to kill the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a cruel abomination.

Remember the images of Donald Trump and Paul Ryan and Mike Pence laughing it up when the vote tally was announced, celebrating like children.

Remember that ABC News called the vote a “major” victory for Trump, think about the implications of the word “major” for a while, let it sink in, and if it doesn’t make you nauseous it might be that you don’t understand.  

Remember the name Alton Sterling, yet another African-American man shot and killed by white police officers who, like so many white police officers before them, will walk away from their crime, scot-free.

Remember, despite everything you have been taught, that the United States is not an exceptional nation, not blessed with special providence, wisdom, compassion or vision.

Remember, and try not to laugh, that Hillary Clinton recently referred to herself as “part of the resistance” to Donald Trump.

Remember that we only have this planet.

Remember that capitalism was created by humans, not God.

Remember that our revered Founding Fathers abhorred democracy.

Remember that health care is a human right, not a privilege of birth or provenance.

Remember that the powerful never concede their privilege unless confronted with demands made incessantly by people willing to suffer.

Remember John Coltrane.

Remember James Baldwin.

Remember Jim Crow.

Remember that every last one of us is fragile and flawed.

Remember that Barack Obama was, first and always, a loyal servant of the ruling class.

Remember that the United States Air Force ran out of targets to bomb during the Korean War.

Remember that working people in the United States are not represented by either political party.