Bernie Slutsky

  I gaze at the wonder and the pain in their eyes I hear and feel a desperate struggle to stay alive in the sound of their voices The stories of    families who are displaced into the cellars of society Who have been thrown down like a doormat to be stepped on by those who feel entitled Who I've ignored, not seen, passed over and dismissed Even though I swore to myself I wasn't that type  Even though my job was to help those in need Even though my reputation was the tender, vulnerable, male therapist who is compassionate Even though I was known as the one to teach men about being open Even though I protested, marched with, and gave credence to the antiracist movement Even though I campaigned and voted for progressive candidates Even though I pledged allegiance to the social, criminal and climate justice movements Even though I grew up in New York City and saw and felt inside myself, the pain, joy and everyday life experiences of people whose skin is darker than mine ...

  How am I supposed to like the politician who intentionally tries to suppress the votes of the people? How am I supposed to like the people who vote for those politicians? How am I supposed to like the senators and representatives who pass legislation that is racist and fascist? How do I even try to like the people who elect such an element to our government? How do I accept those that spread false narratives about the pandemic, the vaccines, facts related to the welfare of the people and about the environment? How do I accept people who listen to that and keep voting for those who push falsehoods into positions of power? How am I supposed to like those who turn their backs on the suffering of people all around them? How am I supposed to look in the eyes of people that feed the system that runs off of oppression and not feel resentment? How am I supposed to have compassion for those who either knowingly or blindly choose to support systemic wide injustice? How do I even try to lik...