Been ages. Sometimes, I wonder why I bother maintaining a blog at all other than it’s all set up and easy to maintain.
Then along comes something like the recent U.S. clusterfuck of an election, and I realize why I need this site.
Yeah, this is going to be a post about politics. But not really. It’s more about the feelings I wrestle with, the responsibilities I carry both as a human being and as a very, very, very minor celebrity. Very. It’s about how much it sucks that vulnerable people are now more vulnerable and powerful people are gleefully ready to sacrifice our world for more power.
It’s about a lot of stuff. Don’t want to read it? Cool. Nobody can make you, and I can’t blame you. But it’s just stuff I have to share.
The day after the election, I was feeling crushed. Like any sensible person. Just in case it wasn’t obvious, this isn’t going to be a measured Both Sides post. So if you’re expecting any sort of recriminations toward all politics in some kind of measured equal ground bull, you can leave now.
The fact U.S. democracy elected the most unqualified, immoral, disgusting, hateful, proven failure of a human being to its highest office isn’t a Both Sides issue. The Democrats have their failures, but this isn’t an election lost by Democrats. This is an election won by white supremacy, ignorance, and intolerance.
So why does it matter what I have to say about it?
It shouldn’t. I’m very fortunate that I’m not an especially vulnerable person. I’m Mexican, sure, but mostly assimilated. I don’t rule out that they’ll come for me one day, but I’m not high on the list.
After the election, I just gave up. What did any of it matter? A system that fails so badly, a nation that embraces a failed as a president, who tried to overthrow the government, and who says he sees no value in democracy isn’t one I can fix.
Then I got a message out of the blue from a vulnerable person who said how much they liked my writing, how they found inspiration in it, and that they appreciated the support I offered.
It fucking broke me.
It still chokes me up, just thinking about it. Here was a person who was oppressed and overwhelmed and scared, and they took the time to let me know that they appreciated my meager efforts and that my books about space squids and moon monsters were of value in their life.
I understood my privilege then. Not in a negative way. I am amazingly privileged to be able to do what I do. I am so goddamn lucky that I get paid to do this, and I’m even luckier if anyone out there gets a chuckle or a smile out of my books, much less finds inspiration. But with that privilege comes responsibility, and I won’t shirk it.
This is my public statement about what I believe. I should have made it a lot sooner. It wouldn’t have changed anything, but maybe it would have helped someone to hear it. Maybe not. But silence is complicity, and I won’t be silent.
I BELIEVE in protecting the oppressed and vulnerable.
I BELIEVE the wealthy are the enemy of humanity, that they will consume everything and scream at us for not being grateful enough as they do so.
I BELIEVE that half of humanity, even as they die from starvation, will cheer them on.
I BELIEVE white supremacy and misogyny can fuck right off.
I BELIEVE the whole LGBTQ+ spectrum has a right to exist.
I BELIEVE it’s only us in this dark, empty universe. It’s up to us to carry each other through it.
I BELIEVE in kindness, empathy, and helping those who need it most.
I BELIEVE saying all these things loudly and for all the world to hear is the absolute least I can do.
So there you have it. Just another voice shouting into the void, hoping someone will get something out of it. At this moment, I don’t know what else to do, other than be ready for the fight to come, the fight that started long before this and is a long way from ending.
Be safe. Be strong.
LEE
HUGS!!!!
Thank you. Just when I think all is lost, your words inspire me to not give up hope that someday, somehow we will preserve.
Well said Alex. You wrote what I feel. What a lot of people fell. And the absolute astonishment, the gobsmackery, the ultimate what the fuckery of what this nation has done, continues to defy me coming to terms with it.
Fight the good fight. Write the good write. But above all, be kind.
Thanks, Super Alex, every reasoned talk (even from a despairing place) is part of the good side and aspirations of our country. Hang on, and hang on to your family and friends. The results were not what I was expecting either.
Rock on.
Keep on rolling.
Avoid the rocks.
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
I have read and re-read all of your books, they are an escape from a rather depressing reality at times. Thank you for expressing yourself and making those of us who expect much better from our presidents feel less isolated.
I like where you stand, old friend. As it happens, I’m standing right there with you. Of course, I brought a stool because I’m elderly and I can’t stand the next four years. (See what I did there?) We shall overcome, but it’s going to be ugly-thirty for a little while. Stay strong.
I really couldn’t love you more. Thanks for all you do and for confirmation of my feelings as well.
Thank you.
*standing ovation
Thank you, sir! Well written, as always, and direly needed!
Well said. And it’s inspiring to see all the reactions, too. I feel like I’m pat of a safe community xxx
Hi Mr Martinez,
I just finished your book with the little girl in the big castle after the bad mage was eaten by her friend… I read it not in english, sorry for the missing of correct terms.
I’ve read them all, some are great, others are good, not a single one i would consider bad.
But something told me, right now here in my bathtub, to get to your page and read your thoghts (?) on paper.
And i want to thank you, for the storys an fun i had with them. Thousands of kilometers away, as a white married man, with a good wife and no orange goblin above. And i have to tell you: stay strong, as long as you fight and scream (even in the void), we, your fans believe in you 🙂 gnu
My daughter called me the day after the election crying cause she and her gay/trans partner along with their group of friends are scared for their relationships and physical safety. I’m the only family she has she can talk to since her mom and step dad are proud MAGA and the rest of my fam are “Christian” . We are states away and it broke my heart. I tried to give them a supportive pep talk but it was hard to not just give them all a hug and a safe space. Just wanted to share. Thank you Mr. Martinez.
This is so late–but I came across your work as I was searching for Dallas area authors–and this filled my heart. May we be angry at the failures of the system, but may we always remember that there are good people out there fighting for something better!
I can’t wait to read your work!
I read “In the company of ogres” when I was in middle school. First book I ever continued reading by choice. My mom bought it a garage sale near our street. It’s what got me hooked.
Well said, and I’m gratified to find that we are synchronized on so many levels. Meeting you at SoonerCon last weekend was the highlight of the event for me. I greatly enjoyed your many insights. In particular, the one about “if it doesn’t serve the story, don’t do it” helped me stick with the plot in my current WIP.
Right on! I’m glad you wrote this. As a fellow writer, I’ve followed your work for years. Ever since I was hooked by your sinister brain story, I’ve come to realize that freedom, self-determination tempered with compassion, individual rights, and living one’s best life are all strong themes in your writing. Keep writing well and good.
Been a while since i visited and did not realize how much i needed your blog. Thanks for being genuine. Keep writing the good write and fighting the good fight. You are not alone and neither are the rest of us who believe.
Thank you for saying all of this. Silence IS complicity. And this reminds me that “While I cannot do all the good the world needs, the world needs all the good I can do”. Thank you for being who you are, and sharing your work with us. You are helping to make the world a better place and helping us all feel less alone. We are LEGION, we outnumber them and we need to remember that. Thank you for keeping the light on <3