Me and my dad went to the May Day rally in Princeton today. This one felt a little more overstimulating to me than the last one so we only stayed for about a half hour (I kept thinking of that sign “it’s so bad even the introverts are here” lol) but I’m glad we participated. A rude student told me to “get an education, babe” as she was walking by, and it was so discouraging. I didn’t say anything in reply, just started sweating and feeling all kinds of emotions. I wanted to tell her about the children who have died because USAID funding was pulled, and the funding cuts to programs that help 9/11 first responders, and all the small businesses that are closing because of the tariffs, and the children who are terrified that ICE agents will come and take their parents away forever. But I just stood there, shocked. I feel like if you are paying any attention at all, you know how bad things are getting. How could you not? But so many people still either aren’t seeing what’s happening, or don’t care, or maybe both. I don’t know. The last year has left me so disillusioned with people in so many ways, but I need to look past the rudeness and instead pay attention to all the people who cared enough to come out today and stand in solidarity with everyone who is hurting and scared right now. There was one - one! - person who was nasty to me, but at least a couple hundred people who were gathered together out of a sense of community, caring, and love. Hopefully there are more of us who care. I have to believe that.