Despair in Solitude

Some individuals simply can’t seem to tolerate their own feelings of despair; they want everyone else to share in it, too. Recently, I’ve been grappling with how some of my closest friends continue their usual antics. The world feels like it’s falling apart, yet they post cheerful updates on Instagram—pictures of dinners, trips, and fun outings.

So, what exactly is the writer of this note doing about the so-called “dumpster fire”? Are they joining protests or maybe just tipping a bit extra for a barista with an accent? Thankfully, they’ve clarified their actions.

“I volunteer at food pantries and charity events opposing ICE policies. I also attend protests and make small donations. I stay informed and post uplifting content, along with promoting fundraisers and sharing reliable information. People have told me they appreciate my posts for staying up to date,” they wrote.

It’s interesting—there’s a hint of arrogance in those statements. This person (I think it might be a woman or perhaps a more feminine man) seems to believe that their use of social media somehow elevates them to a moral high ground.

The writer mentions, “My friend isn’t a Trump supporter. In fact, I don’t know anyone who is. They aren’t even Republicans. But there’s a lack of acknowledgment regarding the suffering occurring in our country and beyond.”

It seems to stem from this belief that silence is equated to violence. The letter writer is annoyed at what they perceive as government overreach, yet they don’t seem to recognize the authoritarian streak in their own viewpoint. It’s almost as if they wish to coerce their friends into expressing or acting in certain ways, feeling frustrated that they can’t successfully push some peers to conform.

As a side note, there’s no solid proof that Marie Antoinette ever said “let them eat cake.” This phrase likely emerged as a way to tarnish her reputation post-French Revolution. The letter writer seems to have taken this notion and run with it.

“These are adults. They watch the same news as everyone else and decide how they want to help—or not help—those in need. At my birthday dinner, when I brought up recent protests, someone in the group said, ‘Can we please not talk about politics? It’s a birthday celebration.’ While it was said kindly, it’s a moment I still remember.”

This remark really highlights how, perhaps, people around this individual might find their perspective incredibly off-putting.