Hopepunk
yes, everything sucks, no, there's no easy fix, but we will make it, together
A version of this post was originally published about 5 years ago on an entirely different blog, but it has come up in conversation several times recently, and I wanted to reshare an updated version of it.
Grimdark
There is a genre in sci-fi fantasy called Grimdark, in which, well, everything is horrible and we’re all doomed. Dystopia, apocalypse, catastrophe. Done for. (The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, etc.) The Grimdark genre builds its stories and characters on a very simple assumed reality: that life is cruel, that humanity will not survive, and that the world is caving in on itself.
Honestly, staying even slightly well informed these days feels very much like we are micro-dosing Grimdark, except unfortunately it’s not fantasy, and the world really does seem grim and dark.
Noblebright
There’s another genre of sci-fi fantasy called Noblebright, which, you guessed it, is the opposite of Grimdark. Noblebright says that though the world may seem altogether awful, there is a hero coming to save us, and they’re destined to make everything right, so if we can only hang on a little longer, our hero will rescue us and everything will be fine. (The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, basically every iteration of Superman, etc.)
I admit I feel a bit whiplashed lately. Either everything is doomed and we’re cooked, or a hero will swing in any moment now and whisk us out of harm’s way, stop the train, diffuse the bomb, right the wrong. Either my kids are right when they matter-of-factly say there will be no clean water by the time they’re 80, or Mother Earth will magically heal herself, and wisdom will prevail amongst global leaders, and everything will be okay if we just sit tight and eat our veggies.
I’m in search of a reality between hopeless and hero.
Hopepunk
We are neither doomed to, nor evacuated from, this messy, painful, mortal life. We experience it in all its realness. But neither are we alone in it. It’s neither a hero from another dimension nor a Holy Savior from the heavens above who swoops in and saves us. It’s ordinary people who decide to partner together to imagine a better future, to create that future together, one act of love at a time.
One of my favorite songs is called “Level Up,” by Vienna Teng. You can watch the lovely music video here, if you like.
Here are my favorite lyrics:
Yes, you are only one. No, it is not enough.
But if you lift your eyes, I am your brother.
And this is all we need. And this is where we start.
This is the day we greet. This is the day, no other.
Yes, the world is full of horrible things, and yes, we are at a tipping point as a country and a human race that feels irreversible and catastrophic. No, our efforts alone are not enough. One household that recycles or runs for city council or fosters kittens is not enough. But look, all around our neighborhoods and cities and countries, our efforts combined create real change, real hope.
Yes, you are only one. No, it is not enough.
But if you lift your eyes, I am your brother.
Yes, we will go through nasty divorces and have surgeries and watch our children battle addiction, and yes, our bodies fail us because of age or disease, and yes, we will all eventually die, but we also can all truly live, and be here, now, feet on the ground, hands in the dirt, working.
Yes, you are only one. No, it is not enough.
But if you lift your eyes, I am your brother.
Yes, the empire kidnaps and crucifies the innocent, and yes, the mobs choose the murderer over the carpenter, but look, there, it’s almost dawn, and there are Mary Magdalene and Salome, and the grandmothers and the ancestors, all showing up with herbs and spices, tamales and clean socks, bandages and hope.
Yes, you are only one. No, it is not enough.
But if you lift your eyes, I am your brother.
Yes, you have been in the darkest crevices of your depression, and to be honest you will probably be there again at some point, because this life is stupid-hard and brain chemistry is complicated. Yes, you might feel like it’s too much, and you’re not enough, and it’s not worth it, but look, I’m right here. Take my hand, I’m your sister, and I’m not going to let you fall off that cliff. I got you, and I’m driving you to Walgreens to pick up your meds and maybe some electrolytes and some nail polish while we’re at it.
And this is all we need. And this is where we start.
This is the day we greet. This is the day, no other.
So may it ever be. Amen.
Hey, thanks for taking time to read my words! I’ll be here as often as my brain and body allow.
Needed this! Thanks 😊