American Burnout
Burnout has always existed and it can happen to the best of us. In 2020 the world as a whole began experiencing waves of burnout; you could see it through the lens of social media on so many faces, hear it in their voices on TikTok and Instagram Reels, and read it in the words they used to share their thoughts. Since then parts of the world have found ways to heal and move forward in the new normal since the virus that started it all is still active across the globe. However, here in America COVID has taken a back seat to the decisions and lack of action or overstepped actions of our leadership. We are exhausted and are in a level of burnout that requires us to function, but makes us feel helpless.
The marginalized people of this nation have been in burnout for decades. POC know these decisions very well and are not shocked by what is happening. They have experienced it daily for the entirety of their lives. This is very new to those of us who are of the caucasian persuasion. Even though I am a woman and have experienced the discrimination of my gender I am a white woman and have also experienced many layers of privilege. I know that, and I own that; which is why I am writing these words. Maybe my privilege will help share some perspective; if anyone is willing to listen. I acknowledge that I haven’t always done or said the right thing. I know that while I am only feeling this burnout recently all of my POC brothers and sisters have been experiencing it for decades. My heart breaks for you and I wish I had been doing more; I will no longer sit by and quietly push back on a broken system. I will not only use my voice by making phone calls, writing emails, and voting; I will publically make my stance known and come alongside you where necessary to join you in this fight.
American Burnout, let me count the ways.
1. Pandemic lockdown allowed individuals to pursue their truth. Their dreams, their talents, own who they are, and find ways to move forward unapologetically in unconventional ways.
2. Those same people said enough is enough when it comes to the systemic racism in this nation. Many people learned historical facts about how deep racism runs in our country for the first time. The decision to step up and fight back. We are still working to break the cycle of racism in this land.
3. Police brutality. We know it’s not all cops, but until it isn’t some cops we have to assume the posture that each cop may overstep their boundaries.
4. Separation of Church and State. That was written with the intention that a religious group of any kind would not pass laws that govern people who do not hold the same beliefs. Meaning the laws of the land should not be influenced or written based on ANY religious text.
5. Gun violence. Since I was in my senior year of high school, 20 years ago, there have been more mass shootings within public schools than I can remember. It has been at least 20 years and yet our country has refused to take action to keep this from happening.
6. Economic issues. Bluntly the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The economic system is set up in such a way that most people barely make ends meet. Many people work multiple jobs or have side gigs just to cover the basic needs of their households.
7. Healthcare is expensive & full of “I’ll scratch your back” conversations. Like #6 healthcare in America is a very broken system. Marginalized people are impacted the most and struggle to obtain the level of care they need and often have to fight to get basic healthcare. Many people don’t have the ability to afford the medication they need to live.
8. Speaking of healthcare, let’s talk about bodily autonomy. In this conversation people often zero in on a woman’s right to have an abortion. That is, however, one of many healthcare procedures that should strictly be at the discretion of the person undergoing the procedure & their physician. What a human being does with their own body is their business and it is a basic human right to make their own decisions.
These are the current and most prevalent issues plaguing the American people, to name a few. In all honesty, I’m tired. I’ve been tired. I can set as many boundaries as I want with people in my life and plead for me to be allowed to be me and live my life, but it doesn’t matter here. My life is literally at the mercy of the people who govern the nation I live in. I realize that the grass is not always greener on the other side, but we have to do better. We have to stop being prideful and greedy. Humanity will be its own downfall. Many will say “we need Jesus”, but unless you are being the hands and feet of Jesus, respectfully, shut up. I believe in Jesus; I choose to walk a path of love and respect for every human I encounter. So when I say we don’t need Jesus; I don’t say it lightly. If you would stop spouting your hate and degradation and begin to look at every person through the eyes of Jesus you would see that you, in fact, are the one who needs Jesus.
The pride of this nation has become a problem. As an American citizen, I have looked at other nations across the globe and discussed with fellow Americans how other nations have addressed and taken action against many of the previously mentioned issues. Decades ago we self-labeled the United States of America as the greatest country. Much like someone who gives themselves a nickname; pride rests at the center of a nation that says “ I am …”. We are not the greatest nation; I’m not sure we ever were. We could be, but it will take humility to change the trajectory of this collision course with ourselves.
