We Didn’t Start the Fire

Hi, Everybody-

January has blown by like a series of explosions-metaphorically speaking; I’m reminded of a song by

Billy Joel, “We Didn’t Start the Fire”. Written in 1989, it is a rapid fire commentary on American culture, conflicts and chaos throughout its history. The song comes straight at you from the start, full of irony and

accusation. https://youtu.be/eFTLKWw542g?si=M80i2NEMxU6iNgIf The video reinforces the lyrics with dark caricatures of American lifestyle.

Billy Joel has expressed on more than one occasion that he regrets releasing this song for a

few reasons, including its uninteresting melody and rhythm “like a dentist’s drill”. Historians dislike

the song because the episodes mentioned in the lyrics are not in proper chronological order and

furthermore, they assert that Joel’s juxtaposition of pop icons like Marilyn Monroe with the Korean

War trivialize tragic geopolitical events. Far from trivializing tragedies, I’m of the opinion that Joel’s

deliberate juxtaposition calls out just how disoriented and desensitized we are as a nation, when a pop icon and a major war are memorialized in that order, in the same sentence. Billy Joel is just the messenger, distilling America’s historically horrendous behavioral pattern into a truth that we can process in roughly 4 minutes. That’s what great artists do.

“We Didn’t Start the Fire” is a perfect song to relate to the overwhelm and confusion that Americans

are experiencing right now. The fire is out of control. Strife and chaos are up close and personal.

Nothing has any kind of perspective or priority. That’s because we are being so manipulated as a

nation that Nicki Minaj’s shameless fawning over Donald T’p receives the same level of attention as

events unfolding in Minnesota and Gaza. Looks like Billy Joel hit the nail on the head. Media outlets

are failing, as they are being systematically censored and financially bribed.

How can we rely on honest reporting when our journalists are being threatened and insulted on national television? When we are literally being told that what we are all seeing, (a person being murdered right in front of us), isn’t what we are all seeing.

Truthfully, all sectors of our society are being brutalized-except for one. And it’s such a small percent of our society: The 1%. And that’s the Group Conductor who is leading the American Chorus, “We didn’t start the fire. It was always burning since the world was turning.” Do we have to sing along and

accept this as an excuse to not do better, as a country? Are we really going to allow our precious voices to be conducted by such impassivity and greed?

We are being played, friends. This is not going to let up until we organize our priorities and decide

what matters, what’s fair. It’s not as hard as you think it is, yet it will require mindful action at the

individual and collective level. Whether that means joining a protest, voting in your local elections,

helping people register to vote, holding spontaneous conversations with strangers in your own

community, donating to causes such as the ACLU that help those in need of legal support, calling your

local and state representatives at their offices, or donating locally to a food pantry or shelter. Any

gesture of kindness or bit of light by which you can ease another’s darkness makes America that much

kinder, stronger and unified.

Strength and power are not rooted in money, they are rooted in right action, in the conviction that you, yourself, can make a difference. I can’t encourage you enough to reach out to people in your own community. Dare to strike up a friendly conversation with a stranger, without bringing up politics! You will find that you have more in common than you think. Everyone Is afraid to speak to one another! Road rage is real. Racism and anti-LGBTQIA+ hatred exists. We are walking on eggshells. We guard our energy and avoid looking into the eyes of a stranger. Open the eyes of your heart.

This morning, while shopping in Publix, I noticed a woman and her husband standing next to me. She

was wearing a uniform from the school system that I had voluntarily resigned from. I asked her which

school she worked in and she shared that she worked in the cafeteria at a middle school here in Tampa.

Having done my share of middle school teaching as well as having had cafeteria duty with this

population of students, I immediately shared my background and empathized with her.

Something happened between us. We connected as only two people who have “been there” can. I know how early cafeteria workers have to be in...earlier than teachers, to get hot breakfasts set up for students. It is a thankless, unacknowledged position that involves a lot of heavy lifting and cleaning. I also know that many of these women live in the same communities as the students and may be that only point of light for a child in that middle school. We spoke about the challenges of working in an under-served public school and her husband chimed in, “It all starts with family”. As they headed off down the aisle, this woman and I simultaneously repeated, “It’s not easy!” We laughed and then hugged, hard. It was a surprising and emotional moment for both of us.

We saw each other and recognized in each other a

realness, common empathy and humanity. I hope I lifted her up as much as she did me. I hope the students and co-workers in her school will treat her with respect.

So- in conclusion-I didn’t start the fire either. But if I’m being transparent, I have very likely added

fuel to it. I’ve reshared negative political posts, vicious memes and posted angry responses to FB and Instagram threads. Surprisingly, the headlines aren’t announcing that I’m receiving a Nobel Peace

Prize for my efforts in making America great again.

I’m taking my cue from the peaceful throngs of

singing protesters in Minneapolis, who are surrendering their voices to the Divine Conductor of Peace.

I’m reflecting on the use of personal integrity and right action to engage in meaningful activism.

I wish you courage and clarity.

Until Next Time

love, Annie xoxox