It has been 2 years, 4 months, & 26 days since I last posted here. I became inspired to write (or in this case "type") again after interacting with new online friends through twitter. One encouraging friend named Jenn once wrote to me, "I was just wondering if you thought about writing a book. I think you write well and are very articulate. You love to read so I just feel like that could be a calling for you." I thought maybe I should begin writing again to develop my writing skills as an exercise for future projects. Another good friend on twitter, an educator named Mai, shared her blog with me called "Mai Lee's Blog." Mai's love for nature, words, and learning have inspired me deeply and taught me to appreciate the natural beauty of our planet and to find pleasure in the joy of reading. She once sent me a book to add to my personal library in January. That act moved me beyond words. Both of these new friendships have planted a seed and rekindled an interest in updating my own blog. I'm not sure how regularly I will be posting my thoughts, but for now this update will have to do.
So many changes have happened, but so little progress has been made for me personally. I moved closer to the Boston area at the invitation of my college friends about a year ago. While at times, it feels as though I was back at school when I interact with them, other times I feel lonely out here. In those times of loneliness, I would take a shuttle bus from a street within walking distance from my new place to the campus of Harvard University, where I would walk around, explore, and sometime sit and read inside of the main store of "The Harvard Coop," a place that sells books, school supplies, and apparel promoting the adjacent and prestigious university. It became one of personal favorite places to visit and it became something like a sanctuary to me. However, even in the attempt to avoid sadness, I would see a couple walking hand in hand together, smiling as they browsed for books or maybe even collegial friends in their own group having a good time and having an intellectually stimulating conversation made me feel lonely because I wanted to have what they had. I felt that those young people had a future whereas I felt that my future was behind me.
One unexpected positive thing did take place though. I took up kickboxing for a while and I loved every minute of that experience. I took it up because I was gaining weight and I was not exercising. I chose to try kickboxing because the training center, which everyone there called the "dojo" was the closet exercising facility from where I live. Over time, as I went to each class day by day, I went from dreading exercising to eagerly looking forward to attending my classes and often times became the highlight of my day. I made friends with people I never thought I would make. The owner, a Vietnamese gentleman named "Ninja" (nobody knows his real name) took me under his wing, became a mentor to me, and taught me some very important life lessons. When I wasn't at work, I spent more time at the dojo then I did when I was at the place where I live. The staff there gave me the nickname "Mayor Manny" because I had a knack for making friends there. I had become more positive, happier, lost 22 pounds as I was nearing my weight goal, and felt content to be a part of such a wonderful community. However, it did not last. A pandemic called COVID-19 had arrived and with my finances hurting, I reluctantly had to give that up despite the positive progress I made with my physical health and my social life. I sadly retreated into a life of unfulfilling work and in self-exile.
As for politics, I was originally supporting Elizabeth Warren in her run for President of the United States in the 2020 presidential election since she is the senator for my home state and had met her on August 4, 2017, which coincidentally was President Barack Obama's 56th Birthday. However, while watching one of the Democratic primary debates in October of 2019, Senator Warren was sparring with another presidential candidate named Andrew Yang over the issue of automation. I was impressed with his intelligent responses and it prompted me to learn more about him and his platform, even though I was very skeptical. "After all," I thought, "he has no political experience." Over time, I began to watch some of his speeches and interviews he participated in and he impressed me even more. He was the only Democratic candidate to meet with Ben Shapiro, a conservative political commentator on The Ben Shapiro Show Sunday Special Ep. 45. I was surprised that in this political polarizing climate, he had not demonized the other side the way other Democratic candidates had and had won former supporters of President Trump over. I began to think that this candidate had the potential to unite the country.
Eventually, I decided that I needed to go and see him for myself. Even though I had viewed so many video of Mr. Yang's speeches and interviews, I was still skeptical. I purchased a hardcover copy of his book, "The War on Normal People: The Truth About America's Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income Is Our Future" one Saturday night at the Harvard Coop in late December of 2019. On January 10, 2020, I took a bus from Boston to Concord, New Hampshire to attend a rally, see Mr. Yang in person, and hear him speak. He won over and after his speech, he signed my copy of his book, and we took a picture together. That night, I had joined what his supporters call themselves the "Yang Gang." I was planning on becoming a team leader in phone banking for Yang's campaign in Massachusetts, but his presidential campaign soon had ended before I could start to become involved. Instead of becoming involved in another campaign, I decided to take a break from politics and let events run their course.
Even though the year 2020 had been difficult for so many people, for me there was at least one positive thing that happened. Ten days after I had met Andrew Yang, I posted a photo of myself meeting with him on twitter publicly stating that I would support him early that morning. To my surprise, Andrew Yang shared my photo and I had an increase of followers, which I quickly followed back. I don't exactly remember how many followers I began with, but as of this update I have a little over 3,000 people following me on twitter. Some of these followers have become close online friends, including Jenn and Mai Lee whom I mentioned in the first paragraph. These friendships that I have made on twitter have inspired me, given me so much support, and have kept me going. I'm so grateful to these friendships and in these dark times, they have been a light for me. So I have to credit Andrew Yang not only for the way he changed the way I view politics, but for the friendships I have made among his supporters. Those friendships have been an unexpected blessing.
I don't really have much else to add to this update so I want to conclude this post with a quote as I have in other posts. After searching for one to use, I think this passage from page 243-244 of Andrew Yang's book, "The War on Normal People," is apt for this occasion:
"It will not be easy. We all have dysfunction within us. Darkness and pain. Contempt and resentment. Greed and fear. Pride and self consciousness. Every reason will hold us back.
Through all of the doubt, the cynicism, the ridicule, the hatred and anger, we must fight for the world that is still possible. Imagine it in our minds and heart and fight for it. With all of our hearts and spirits. As hands reach out clutching at our arms, take them and pull them along. Fight through the whipping branches of selfishness and despair and resignation. Fight for each other like our souls depend on it. Climb to the hilltop and tell others behind us what we see.
What do you see?
And build the society we want on the other side.
Evelyn, thank you for all that you do for me and our boys. They will grow up to be strong and whole.
The rest of you, get up. It's time to go. What makes you human? The better world is still possible. Come fight with me."
