It's a given that these days, at least for most people, well life ain't easy.
And with *cough* the 'Proud Boys' tearing down free speech and vandalizing churches, the least weasel throwing a hissy-fit no two-year-old could top and a bunch of white men proudly demonstrating that they have small penises because they can buy a big gun, well that doesn't help.
But what might help? Music.
Here are some songs to help you remember why none of us should give up, that no matter what we must suffer we have power and what the United States of America is about.
Firstly, the eerily precient "Fuck You (Very Much)" by Lily Allen.
It's just the song and her album cover.
After that, let's remember for whom we struggle:
Everlast: What It's Like
Of course there are more uplifting songs, even if they acknowledge that life can be hard. After winter must come spring.
Lauryn Hill: Everything is Everything
And while John Brown was a fool in practical things, if there is a heaven and I somehow get there when the time comes, I look forward to shaking his hand.
John Brown's Body
It became the Battle Hymn of the Republic [sanitized] for a reason. The promise of equality and justice for all, of the right for everyone to pursue happiness... well, it doesn't matter whether the founding fathers meant it. We read it, we believe it and we are going to make those real. For everyone.
In case you think anyone can stop our fight for equality, a little retro-rap for you.
Public Enemy: Shut Em Down
We have the money, we have the power. Without us the economy collapses. It's kinda a big fucking deal.
And you should listen to the "Star
Spangled Banner" again too. Choose your own artist.
America fought two wars for freedom before that song became a thing. Way too many people were excluded from that freedom. Then. Then.
And whether Trump and his ilk like it or not, we're not going back to 1776, 1812, 1860, 1960 or whatever. We are not going back, period.