This is not what I originally wanted my post to be.
I wanted something lighthearted, fun, happy. I’m sorry to get political again.
We have an event at work every year called the Great Art Heist. People adore this event, coming in costume to ‘steal’ works of art. My ‘bandit’ character is called the shadow. I wear pretty much the same outfit every year: all black, with bandanas covering my face. I’m trying to stay in character for a shadowy photographer bandit.
It all started when one of the guests at the Heist compared me to an ICE agent. I was immediately disturbed. He started going on about how crazy the times we’re living in are. I politely excused myself, and right away removed my bandanas, showing my face and breaking character. I wanted no part of that comparison.
Another ‘bandit’ character is called the Kingpin. He’s the emcee of these events, the ringleader of all the other bandits. I overheard someone yell to him, “Sorry, buddy, No Kings!”– a reference to the anti-Trump movement here in the states.
Then there were multiple conversations, both had by myself and overheard, about politics, immigration, guns, laws, and how a certain someone seems to be able to get away with absolutely any and every type of crime.
This year, our fun-filled event was tinged with political unrest. Even here, there is no escaping what’s going on.
That is the State of the States.