Well, fuck. Like seriously, FUUCCKK. If you’re feeling frustration, heartbreak, or even a bit of numbness, you’re not alone.
For many of us, this is a hard reckoning—a stark reminder of the privilege that may have shielded us from seeing just how deep the rot goes. We thought, perhaps, that our systems would never allow a rapist or would-be tyrant to take the highest office. We clung to the belief that the “American Experiment” would somehow protect us from the worst. But that belief was a luxury, one that Black and Brown folks have known to be false for generations. They have lived under systems that continually dehumanize, exploit, and oppress, and they have long understood a reality that some of us are only now being forced to confront.
At the moment, there’s endless speculation about what went wrong and where things fell apart. At some point, we’ll need a rigorous post-mortem, but that won’t change the present or the future. So I’m writing to you with an eye on what lies ahead—and to be honest, it’s not looking too hot.
(Fair Warning: This next section gets a little dark, but bear with me; we’ll end on a brighter note!)
This week a question that has haunted me for the last decade has reemerged with a vengeance:
Has the American Experiment failed?
It’s a question heavy with emotion, but let’s examine it as objectively as we can. Many of us grew up with the promises of the American Dream, American Exceptionalism, and Checks & Balances. Let’s unpack those ideals.
Wealth inequality now exceeds levels seen during the French Revolution, and we all know the old idea of “working hard to get ahead” has collapsed. Despite being more productive than ever, economic power remains out of reach for so many of us. And about American Exceptionalism—are we truly a “shining city on a hill” when we enable and fund genocide abroad? That claim of superiority is wrong and misguided.
And then, Checks & Balances. Designed to allegedly guard against tyranny, this principle has proven hollow and ineffective. Attempts to blackmail world leaders, attempts to subvert the peaceful transfer of power, mishandling of classified information—all of these were carried out with minimal consequences. It’s clear these protections only work if those in power uphold them. Republicans had two opportunities to convict and didn’t. President Biden and Merrick Garland delayed justice for two years. Without strong leaders, these safeguards can’t protect us.
If the American Experiment isn’t dead, it’s certainly on life support. What’s coming is likely to test our resilience in unprecedented ways. They are already attempting to use the precedent that overturned Roe to challenge Marriage Equality. They will try to pass a national abortion ban, gut the Affordable Care Act, end access to life-saving PReP drugs, and dismantle environmental protections at a time when scientists are saying we have six years to avert catastrophic climate change. Putin and Netanyahu will press on with their own agendas, and Trump will enjoy Presidential Immunity for all “official acts.”
It’s bleak. Like I said, FUUUCCKKK.
But here’s where we find our power. We cannot lose hope. We cannot lose optimism. And we cannot lose sight of the world we want to bring into being. I know the odds feel overwhelming, but remember, people before us have faced so much worse—and still, they persisted.
I draw strength from the Native communities who endured colonization and genocide but continue to fight for their sovereignty. I draw resilience from Black folks who, then and now, face systems built against them, yet continue to shine in their fullness. I draw resolve from women who, for centuries, had no rights and still pushed forward, demanding enfranchisement and autonomy. I draw courage from queer ancestors who were forced to live their authentic lives in secret and yet dared to love fully and deeply.
As AOC recently said, now is the time to turn to and build out our local communities. The federal government isn’t going to save us. The DNC won’t protect us. Only we can advocate for ourselves, and that’s what Queer Voting Coven is here for. We have immense collective power, and by building and channeling it with intention, we can create change here and now—rippling outward until it reaches the national stage.
Over the next month, I hope to begin hosting regular Coven social gatherings to build that collective power. These events are a chance to connect with others who share this vision, and together, we’ll grow something lasting and meaningful. The path forward is unwritten, but we intend to be right there in the Writer’s Room.
If you’re ready to stand with us, to connect, and to co-create the future, please fill out this form. We’d be honored to have you alongside us.