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April 1 question -The IWSG’s focus is on our writers. Each month, from all over the globe, we are a united group sharing our insecurities, our troubles, and our pain. So, in this time when our world is in crisis with the covid-19 pandemic, our optional question this month is: how are things in your world?
My world isn't all that ruined. I'm off from work, which is difficult but logical. Honestly, I could walk away from society and go back to living in the woods. It wouldn't bother me. Overall, I'd prefer it. There are a few reasons I don't, but they aren't mattering nearly as much right now.
Except one.
My Snookums is not so very prepared for days like these. I do worry for my spouse, who has gotten a bit stir-crazy. Is anyone else trying to write (or blog) (or blog on your own blog, a blog where you're a team member, and another blog where you're a co-host and there's a challenge with about 500 people involved right now...) while someone you live with is going crazy?
"Did you clean those keys? Let me just... stop typing! I'm trying to wipe your keyboard..."
Yeah. Third time today. Love you, Snookums.
It must be love, or my 🙄eye rolls🙄 would be committing murder. Just kidding.
Hunting, fishing, making my own clothing, living outside -- I've done all of these things enough in my life. If it comes to it, I'll do it again.
But I hope the world heals. And I hope there's healthcare for everyone in the United States soon. I'm reminded again that I'm a savage, that my people were savages, and that to be a savage meant that we never left one of our own to die because they didn't have money. Leaving the poor to rot is something only civilized people can justify. Then again, a huge chunk of my people were wiped out by pox blankets, so really, what do I know, what do any of us know?
I'm angry that so many tribes are being denied access to healthcare and clean water. Angry, but not surprised. It has been that way for a very long time. The pandemic just sheds extra light on it. It wouldn't shock me if another genocide came to take out the Native Americans that are locked onto reservations. It'll end up being a "recoverable backlash" by the politicians that make the choice. Yes, there's an election coming up. But voting rights of people on reservations have always been dicey.
See, I tried to start this post off lighthearted and positive. But if I think about it, write about it, a lot of darkness comes out. Anyone else use Grammarly? There's a tone detector to tell you how your writing is coming off.
So maybe I'm not as okay as I say. But really, is anyone these days?
I had no idea that Native American tribes are being denied access to healthcare and clean water. That is an outrage. I've seen some tweets regarding worrying trends in the statistics too-people are saying that a higher percentage of black people are dying from the disease and disabled people are "not being prioritised" for treatment. Many of those people fit into the poor demographic too. This whole thing is revealing the disturbing bias people have towards protecting white, middle-class, able-bodied people at the expense of disabled people, poor people and minorities. We do seem to be only a short jump away from eugenics, which sickens and saddens me.
ReplyDeleteIf this did turn into an apocalyptic situation it would be quite interesting to see people getting back to their roots and learning how to live off the land again. Many of those survival skills have been lost in the digital age. But I hope that it won't be too long before either a vaccine or treatment to relieve the symptoms is created.
My direct ancestors managed to retain our skills and not follow our tribe to a reservation. I consider myself very fortunate and am grateful for that.
DeleteActual reservations, I'm told, don't allow people living there to learn the skills of the old ways. Hunting, fishing, tracking, even the languages and religions are forbidden. And, since most reservations don't allow private addresses, people have to use a post office box, which in some states means they can't vote.
I had no idea that things were so bad still.
ReplyDeleteBad getting worse. Not for me, but for so many others who are "like me."
DeleteI'm so sorry that this is still happening to Native Americans. It's wrong. So wrong.
ReplyDeleteAw. You're lucky to have your Snookums looking out for you and wanting to wipe down your keyboard. Which reminds me...
Stay safe!
Yes. I appreciate it. I just... maybe I worry a bit less. Or I worry differently.
DeleteYou stay safe too!
I hear you about being able to take care of yourself and enjoying the outdoors and being self-contained. I'm not a Native American (and I really feel awful for how they have been and are treated - it's a crime!), but we are full-time nomads (the last three years in a camper van) and this pandemic doesn't affect us too much, mentally and physically.
ReplyDeleteWe are used to being flexible and living in uncertainty and taking care of ourselves in nature and making money online and along the way. Logistically is where our challenges arrive, as our freedom to travel is restricted and most campgrounds have closed, which includes ways for us to get fresh water and dump our tanks...
I had no idea Grammarly has a tone detector... Interesting! Thanks for visiting my blog Roaming About - A Life Less Ordinary recently!