NOT JUST POLITICS

by Amy Ballard Rich

No, it’s not “just politics”

and I won’t “shut up about it”

during this

“stupid political season”

It wasn’t “just politics”

when politicians got elected

who allowed tree-spray pesticide use

“back in the day”

in residential neighborhoods,

and I got skin cancer

from being “accidentally” sprayed

Then it was my body,

my health,

my life,

me at the hospital

who got a skin graft,

not you at the hospital;

so, no, it is not “just politics”

It’s not “just politics”

when crazy ballot measures

get passed,

that ban same-sex marriage,

that ban transgendered persons

from using their rightful restroom

Then it is straight-up bigotry,

it creates a climate

of hate and fear

it takes us backwards

it chains our collective souls

it creates great sadness;

so no, it is NOT “just politics”

It is not “just politics”

if we elect candidates

who allow fracking,

the Keystone XL,

and the Dakota Access Pipeline

It is water coming out of taps

that catches on fire,

or fills the tub with murky brown

and raises cancer rates

It is not “just politics”

when officials are elected

who do not overhaul police departments,

to weed out officers

who are racist,

drug addicted,

or dealing with untreated

PTSD and anger issues

It is black men

I personally know,

getting stopped

while out walking

since it is a “decent neighborhood”

and they are black;

how dare they go for daily walks

like their doctor told them to

And it is black and brown people

I don’t personally know,

getting arrested

or killed

simply for existing

while dark-skinned

It’s not “just politics”

if we elect a President

who wants to ID every Muslim,

who wants to disrespect people of color,

and who wants to build a wall

between the United States and Mexico

Then it is harm

coming to many friends of mine,

then it is potentially

WWIII,

which is not “just politics”,

but actually involves

radiation burns,

bloody heads,

screaming children,

and death everywhere

So no,

it is NOT

“just politics”,

it is not trifling,

it has no “political season”

I will not “shut up” about it

But speaking of trifling,

you who want me to “shut up”

about “just politics”,

I do need to point something out

It actually IS “just football”,

and it actually IS currently “football season”,

and it actually IS just a game

But, because of my politics,

I will NOT

ask you

to “shut up” about it