What Makes Us Special ...
Makes Us Strong
Last night, my heart sang, and my eyes welled with tears as dozens of local kids put on a stunning musical production of Shrek. One of the leads, Princess Fiona, was the daughter of good friends who I remember as a shy child. I was blown away to see her transform into a bold superstar.
In this classic parody of the fairy tales we’re told, Shrek balances irreverent humor with poignant messages about self-worth, societal hypocrisy, and the power of community. Its layered storytelling invites audiences to question norms while celebrating the beauty of being “freakish.” I wish I could share a photo of a packed stage of kids shouting from the top of their little lungs: “Let your freak flag fly,” and “What makes us special makes us strong.” But alas, as instructed, we kept our phones put away as we reveled in what we witnessed.
Ultimately, the story emphasizes nonviolent resistance, with Shrek’s pacifist tendencies contrasting with Donkey’s revolutionary zeal, reflecting debates about addressing systemic oppression. While Donkey advocates rebellion, Shrek’s preference for negotiation highlights the moral complexity of fighting injustice.
MAGA be damned. The cat’s out of the bag. These kids aren’t listening. Oppressed, they will not be.
Like me, I’m sure you’ve been inundated with frightening news coming in from every angle this week. But I’ve also been amazed at the people who have stood tall and are telling their personal stories and calling it like it is, like Hagan Scotten, as reported in the NYT:
On Friday, Hagan Scotten became the seventh federal prosecutor assigned to New York Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case to resign, after he refused the Justice Department’s order to dismiss the case.
“I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion,” Scotten wrote in a fiery letter obtained by the New York Times. “But it was never going to be me.”
The worst for me was getting sucked into our “alternative speak your mind” Teton Valley, Idaho “Community” Facebook Page. It’s like watching a deadly 12-car pile-up with a gas truck in the middle, waiting for the explosion that kills our community for good. I watch aghast as people I personally know who are “good people” take the bait to spew toxicity. It’s like the site exists to give permission for our worst selves to come out and thrive. And I realize this feeds right into the genius strategy to weaken us.
Do not be tempted. By dividing all the good people, the Broligarchy will win. When we stand together, there is hope. Take this advice from a commenter:
Do not negotiate with them
Gather in real life
Stay connected to yourself
Stay connected to each other, preferably in real life
Stay connected to MAGA people you know
Speak up, make a stand, inspire others, and repeat
I’ll leave you with two other great Substack pieces from the week to hopefully brighten your weekend:
And a final quote:
“One certain thing that a look backward at the vicissitudes of our country’s story suggests is that massive and sweeping change will come. And it can come swiftly. Whether or not it is healing and inclusive change depends on us. As ever, such change will generally percolate from the ground up, as in the days of the American Revolution, the anti-slavery movement, the progressive movement, the civil rights movement, the women’s movement, the gay rights movement, and the environmental movement. From the long view of my life, I see how history turns and veers. The end of our country has loomed many times before. America is not as fragile as it seems.”
~ Richard Goodwin from An Unfinished Love Story
In the meantime … rest your mind, be nice, have fun, and have a great weekend.
~ SM
Thank you again Sue. Always a well written and to the point view.