The Witches are Coming

by Lindy West

There is power in saying, no, we will not settle down. We will not go back. It’s the lifting of a veil, the opposite of a glamour. We have to be the witches they’ve always said we are, and counter their magic with our own.

I don’t begrudge the straight white boys their abundance; I just wish the rest of us had had the same.

Whatever your sphere is, however big or small, you get to make choices within it, and if you care about healing the wounds of the world I hope you become a real demon bitch about diversity and never let anyone sleep. Think radical thoughts and let yourself imagine they’re true. Then ask yourself why it’s considered radical to make art that accurately reflects reality, to build a society that takes care of its members, to demand a better world.

There is no value in willfully ignoring hatred, and the lie that neutrality in the face of oppression is not a political stance is part of how we got here.

You can hate someone and love them at the same time. Maybe that’s a natural side effect of searching for heroes in a world not built for you.

Being cognizant of and careful with the historic trauma of others is what “political correctness” means. It means that the powerful should never attack the disempowered—not because it “offends” them or hurts their “feelings” but because it perpetuates toxic, oppressive systems. Or, in plainer language, because it makes people’s lives worse. In tangible ways. For generations.

The problem with America is that we refuse to look at the problem with America.

Young people are here and strong and smart and fierce, and they do not intend to die. They are artists and scientists and leaders, and we just have to show up and fight for them, and with them, every day until we die. It is not their job to save us—we are the parents—but may they inspire us to help them save themselves. I feel afraid in this moment, but I do not feel hopeless.