Kimberly Stover
“When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game. The establishment will irritate you – pull your beard, flick your face – to make you fight. Because once they’ve got you violent, then they know how to handle you. The only thing they don’t know how to handle is non-violence and humor.”
John Lennon
Understandably, there are many of us in America who have every right to be angry, and we don’t know what to do. What can we do? We are attending marches, writing our representatives, calling our congressman, writing articles, sharing articles, sharing memes, registering others to vote, and speaking out. Our American values are being threatened right now, and some of us are wise to it and will stop at nothing to fight back. Daily we are being provoked by a bully administration that seems to take great pleasure in making extreme policies that trigger those of us who care.
They want us to get violent, as they have even painted us as the violent left. This is absurd however, because those same individuals also paint us as delicate little snowflakes. The truth is that we are fighting for them too. However, they’ve been manipulated to believe we are the enemies.
I’m no one’s enemy, however, that doesn’t mean I won’t call you out on your bullshit that is oppressing the vulnerable.
So how do we best resist? I think we are doing everything we possibly can to ward off these toxic attempts to push us down while staying composed. John Lennon was right. They don’t know what to do with staying calm, choosing non-violence, and using humor. Comedians are such a gift to us as they shine a little light into a dark situation. Laughter is the best medicine and can change perspective.
Recently, the Pence family has published a book detailing the day in the life of their family bunny, Marlon Bundo. This cute little bunny has become famous and has attracted quite a large Instagram following. Some proceeds go toward organizations fighting human trafficking, and art therapy for children who have been diagnosed with cancer. Both are great causes, and I fully support the book.
However, I don’t support Mike Pence’s historical and present attack on the LGBTQ community. Liberating humans from being trafficked is a noble cause, and yet, liberating the LGBTQ community from oppression (which is just as harmful) is not a priority to Mike Pence. In fact, he has supported policies that allow discrimination. He has demonized gay marriage, and supported gay conversion therapy, all under the guise of “Christian family values.” Also, his marriage with Focus on the Family aligns him with being a bigot, especially when his mentor, James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family is a public bigot. Read this enlightening article about Focus on the Family and their attack of the LGBTQ community.
Comedian John Oliver has also published a book on the same day as the Pence family about the day in the life of Marlon Bundo. His book is a lovely children’s book about Marlon Bundo falling in love with another male bunny. This book provides a wonderful message to children about equality, friendship, love, and encouragement to those who are different. All proceeds, not some, all, go toward The Trevor Project (crisis intervention for LGBTQ youth and AIDS United.
John Oliver’s book has soared to number one on the New York Times bestseller list, followed by pre-orders of James Comey’s memoir, and the Pence bunny book stands at number 4.
In this chaotic America, this is one act of resistance that doesn’t harm anyone and all of our proceeds go to great causes. This is one small action that can counteract the damage being done by this radicalized version of Christianity. As a plus, we now have a cute little book to share with our children about treating people with kindness and love, no matter who they are, or who they love.
I cannot wait to get my copy of:
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents a Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo
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