the great divide

HE WILL NOT DIVIDE US

Those were the words etched into the pristine white wall of the Museum of Moving Image, in sans serif bold.

Meanwhile, 226.2 miles south congregated in front of the White House is the Women’s March on Washington. Perhaps it is because I have been hardened by the Canadian cold, or that I’ve nested myself too comfortably in this culture of sorries and eh’s. But I’m not one bit partial to this movement.

But you’re a woman?

Of course I’m a woman.

But you don’t care about gender rights?

Of course I do.

But you don’t care about the Women’s March on Washington?

Those do not correlate.

Take a read from the following excerpt, extracted from the event’s Facebook page:

The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us–women, immigrants of all statuses, those with diverse religious faiths particularly Muslim, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native and Indigenous people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, the economically impoverished and survivors of sexual assault. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear.

This does not look to me to be about advancing the rights of my gender. To me, this is an outlet for the anger that is not getting who you wanted for president. For the frustration that was the Orlando Shooting. For the restlessness that was terrorism. For the disappointment that was Brexit. For all the lost fights of 2016.

I am a woman. I care about gender rights. But I am not with her. At least not in the context of this movement pretending to be for advancing the rights of women.

I will not agree to any single agenda that claims to represent the dreams and goals anyone who is a woman. Because such a thing does not exist. That’s what’s beautiful about being human. I will, however, honour the system that is democracy despite its shortcomings because even with all of these flaws I am still damn lucky to be a part of it. I will recognize that in a society that is priviledged enough to have the opportunity of figuring itself out there will be disagreement, and there will be disunity. And that disunity should be in hopes of achieving unity, and the disagreement in progression towards deeper understanding. These are not excuses for kicking the dog when shit don’t go your way.

In a world where we are increasingly seeing only what we want to see (thanks Facebook), without a doubt we’ll have greater and greater trouble seeing eye-to-eye with anyone who bursts that bubble. It’s easy to believe that something’s wrong with the world and that it needs fixing if the news popping up on your feed looks nothing like the world as it is.

Here’s to you America, and anyone whose hearts are feeling broken: this is your chance to reconnect, to re-evaluate, and truly restart. Not with another post of self-righteousness. Be patient, and do what’s in your power to make positive change starting with those closest to you, those who you care about most. Why should I care what that middle-aged man with a permanent pout and corn-yellow hair thinks? I’m focusing on making an impact on those closest to me, those whose opinions matter to me most.

How are you going to make that change?

Oh, and to whoever said “Don’t forget to set your clocks back 300 years tonight”, it may have been @chrisrock, for the record, we’ve made huge progress in placing our trust in democracy and its results, whatever they may be. If we turned our backs on that now we’d really be turning back our clocks 300 years.

And Obama, you did okay I guess.

It is He who changes the times and the epochs;

He removes kings and establishes kings;

He gives wisdom to wise men

And knowledge to men of understanding.

Daniel 2:21

Tahini Date Truffles

• 2 c chopped pitted dates, no need to splurge on medjools for these
• 1 c raw almonds, ground in your blender or food processor
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 c raw cacao or cocoa
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 c tahini

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor in the order listed. Pulse until the mixture begins to clump together. If the mixture still appears dry after 2-3 minutes, add a tablespoon of water at a time until it comes together.
2. Shape into bite-sized balls and roll in cocoa. Shake off any excess in a sieve.
3. Store in Ziploc bags in the freezer. Don’t worry, they won’t freeze hard!
4. Enjoy straight from the fridge, with a cup of uber creamy and frothy matcha coconut flat white!

Coconut Matcha Flat White

• 1/2 tsp ceremonial grade matcha powder
• 2/3 c hot water, about 80 degrees F
• 1/4 c full fat coconut milk (not the stuff you put in your cereal)

1. Place the matcha in a mug and add about 1 tbsp of hot water. Use a milk frother (I used this one) to mix it up evenly.
2. Add the rest of the water and continue frothing for 25-30 seconds.
3. Meanwhile, heat the coconut milk in another cup piping hot, about 1 minute.
4. Froth up the coconut milk the best you can, because of its low protein and high fat content it won’t form the nice fine foam you might be expecting.
5. Pour the coconut milk into the matcha and enjoy!