Will We Be Known as the Generation That Changed the Heart of America?

I keep saying that despite the hardships of this past year, I’m very grateful for all the people I’ve met. Writing tends to be a solitary occupation. We sit behind messy desks in disorderly offices with our faces bathed in the light of the computer screen.These days, it almost feels as if the computer is smiling. There are so many positive messages of encouragement and drawings and emojis that sometimes it feels as if my heart will burst.I never used to enjoy doing group projects at school. It felt like I was always partnered with two kids who would eat all the paste before I could finish the project. Every construction paper poster was a race between my diligence and their deliberate indifference. It was two against one, I rarely emerged victorious.But these days, collaboration feels different. I’m surrounded by teachers and educators. There are retired nuclear engineers, and men and women with PhDs.And writers, of course there are many, many writers.There are days when I’ll sit down to talk with somebody who is so accomplished I’m stunned they have any interest in listening to me. To my astonishment, not only do they listen but they listen intently. When I finish talking, they stop as if to absorb the words. When the conversation ends, they go off to think about the things we said, and when we meet again we have both developed new insights.It turns out collaboration is fun if all the people involved are dedicated to completing the project.In this era, our collective project is to save our country from tyrannical white supremacists.I felt gut shot in the aftermath of the 2024 election. How could the people of this country be so delusional that they’d cast a vote for the worst human being to ever walk the earth? How could the Democrats disregard the fact that his 34 felony counts were related to election interference (paying hush money to influence the vote)? How could they disregard he was under investigation in 2020, again for attempting to steal the election?Why would they insist he wouldn’t try to steal the election in 2024?This is what we’ve been up against. We have an indifferent population and an incompetent alternative party. Our only tool to bring about the change we deserve is our voice.Oh my goodness are people using it!I’ve spent my whole life driven by an irresistible impulse to write. I’ve passed up on many more lucrative opportunities because writing felt like my calling. There have been times throughout the years when I’ve wondered if I did right by following the yearnings of my heart, but I never truly wavered. It was always going to be this.Today, as we gaze out upon the rubble of a country that continues to be violently dismantled by Republicans, following the path of the writer has started to make sense.When we emerge victorious from these troubled times, it will be due to a collective effort. Perhaps that’s the fundamental thing that all Americans need to learn. We don’t need an authoritarian, we don’t need a star quarterback, we don’t need a dynamic CEO, we don’t need a president.The power lies with the people, and the people should share the reward.For too long, this country has pledged itself to the ideology of the kingmaker. One or two cruel individuals have wrested away enough power for themselves and left the rest of us to suffer.We’ve been groomed, we’ve been indoctrinated, we’ve been lied to. We’ve been told that extreme wealth and privilege is something to be admired, and that we’re lazy or jealous if we offer any criticism.Meanwhile, we’re out here doing all the work, and the soft aristocrats mock us behind their champaign glasses as they consume all the rewards.This is the injustice that has to change, but it will require igniting a flame of action in the heart of every American.I’ve got news for you, it’s happening.Every day I get to talk to more and more people. Today, I’m able to talk loudly and confidently about ideas that would have been rejected out of hand only a year ago. People are listening, they’re organizing, they’re coming together. It fills me with joy and resolve even as I see all the work that remains for us to do.To help me get through, I keep envisioning a future. I keep thinking how nice it would be to have a banquet featuring all the personalities I’ve met in these last few years. We could get together and applaud each other and say a few words. I thought about how I might like to invite my wife onto the stage so you could all meet her. I’d like to do an impromptu dance for all of you. I’d like you all to meet my daughters so you could tell them personally how much you appreciate their drawings. I imagine a huge round of applause, and joining in with the applause for all the others that have made such a contribution during this challenging year. We could lift up our glasses knowing that everybody has their healthcare needs met, every child has access to a roof, and food, and a college education. My wife and children don’t have to hide their identities because there is no more secret police…I dream of this vision and it brings tears to my eyes.Stop for a moment with me and imagine a day many years from now when we can all sit together and be grateful for our collective, communal effort. We appreciate each other. We reward each other. We take care of each other.We’re already living the model of what the future should look like. Stay the course. We’ll get there! I’m so looking forward to the day that we can all celebrate each other in person. What a party it will be!You all make this newsletter happen! Thanks for your sponsorship! I have payment tiers starting at as little as twenty dollars a year.Upgrade at 30% offUpgrade at 40% offUpgrade at 50% offUpgrade at 60% offI’m so happy you’re here, and I’m looking forward to sharing more thoughts with you tomorrow.My CoSchedule referral linkHere’s my referral link to my preferred headline analyzer tool. If you sign up through this, it’s another way to support this newsletter (thank you).I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe