Discussing Political Grief

Political grief is not new. I say that every time I talk to a group about it. We have experienced political grief before. Whether it was 9/11, a war, the outcome of an election, or a family’s history of immigration or persecution. Political grief is not new. It feels new, though, doesn’t it? It feels unmooring, unfamiliar, and terrifying. We want to do something, and yet feel paralyzed as well. That sounds a lot like grief to me.

Recently, I have spoken to several groups of people about political grief including hosting events at my local library and being invited to speak with a therapist group practice. Next month I’ll be joining a meeting held by Rise Up Frederick, a group of local activists, to speak about what I know: grief is an inherent part of our lives and an integral part of growth. In understanding and working with our grief, rather than against it, we have the opportunity to build things that are truly transformational and sustainable.