Perspective
Bobi Wine gave me something to think about
It’s a presidential election year and I work in politics slash voting rights slash whatever so all of my interviews and conversations lately have been about the election and how it’s going to be a terrible year in which two halves of the country are fighting over two terrible men. I’ve been feeling upset and anxious and angry and a little hopeless. Today, I woke up and it was a sunny beautiful day and I made delicious hearty chicken soup in my new Le Creuset stockpot and juice in my new juicer and I gave my dog a bath and crocheted a blanket and walked around my backyard and watched Midsomer Murders and had a peaceful, safe, day in which there were no soldiers marching down my street, none of my peers were arrested for supporting the opposition, none of my queer friends were put to death, and I was free to be an activist and a woman just having a normal peaceful sunny Sunday in my perfect little house.
And then I watched Bobi Wine: The People’s President and I was reminded that, while, yes, 2024 is a stupid election year in which a bunch of anti-Democratic morons are running against each other, I can’t even imagine what a terrifying, deadly, corrupt election year is really like. And while I think I’m an activist trying to lead a tiny, mostly invisible, movement, I will never have to muster the courage, perseverance, and pure unoppressible fire of someone who is risking their lives, and the lives of their friends, family, and supporters, to fight for what’s right.
I have always hated the term “first world problems” because people in the first world do have problems and it’s unfair to belittle (most of) them just because they would seem trivial to someone living a very different life. But sometimes, it’s so important to remember that we are unreasonably lucky. Bobi Wine reminded me of that today. If you watch nothing else, log on to Disney + and let him remind you too.
What to do
Watch:
True Detective (HBO)- True story: I saw Fiona Shaw play Medea on Broadway when I was in college and to this day it is the most extraordinary acting I have ever seen. If you don’t know who Fiona Shaw is, yes you do, she’s Mrs. Dursley. The new season of True Detective features Jodi Foster, Fiona Shaw, and Alaska in the dark. It’s creepy AF and the acting is unbelievable. I rarely enjoy watching a show week to week but this one is worth the wait.
Hazbin Hotel (Prime)- Ok so I previewed this one without seeing it last week because I am a good and loyal friend but now I’ve watched the six eps that are out so far and holy shit is it good. WARNING: It is not appropriate for children or moms. But if you are into a smart, funny, brilliantly written animated musical with a serious edge, Hazbin is freaking incredible. It already has 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and the internet is seriously going bonkers over this show which is weird because it is very much not for the mainstream but that’s how good it is. I don’t know who the geniuses are at A24 but they clearly sold their souls to the same Morningstar who finally makes an appearance in episode 6.
The Mission (Disney +)- I feel like we’ve known that missionaries do more harm than good for, ohhhh, at least 100 years but here they are, making the same mistakes, and someone is always going to suffer the consequences.
Listen:
I was thinking about the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to after writing about Circe last week and here’s my top 3:
The Only Ones- fantastic dystopian novel about an edgy, troubled, teenage girl. That’s all I can say without spoilers but the narrator absolutely rocks.
A Song of Ice and Fire- listening to the book is nothing like watching the TV series. It’s a unique experience and the narrator absolutely nails it.
Leslie F*cking Jones- Leslie Jones’ autobio is probably good in writing but hearing her narrate it is incredible because she is half reading and half just telling stories. I’m not super interested in modern autobiographies because I do not care about celebrities (except Keanu) but LFJ was recommended to me because of the off the wall narration and it’s a true win.
And in case you’re wondering, yes, listening to a book counts as reading it.
Read:
In my work, I regularly encounter unhoused people who just signed a multimillion dollar deal with Netflix, have just been cast in a major motion picture, or who own a fabulous mansion that they just can’t live in yet. I get it. Everyone wants dignity and respect but perhaps none so much as those who have nothing left and are forced to ask for help, so this story really spoke to me.
Elizabeth Holmes continues to get what she deserves.
Hey y’all, maybe let’s not.