Great American Apocalypse

On the eve of political destruction, can the solar eclipse remind us of our common humanity — or should we just have an orgy?

Masha Mendieta
Aug 22, 2017 · 4 min read

On August 21, 2017, millions of people paused on a Monday morning from churning a buck for their bosses to gape at the first total solar eclipse passing exclusively over the United States in 1500 years. While the event urged Christian fundamentalists and others to predict the “end of days,” even astrologists were united in the cosmic significance signaling that America is in the “crosshairs of change.” If the end is nigh, do we go down biting and scratching, plebian versus plebian, in a cacophony of violence during the day? It would be easy when we can drown ourselves at night in alcohol, pharmaceuticals and excess at our fingertips to quiet the doubts. Are we on the verge of witnessing the next fall of Rome or is a societal awakening possible beyond hope?

Solar eclipse in Los Angeles

While in times long past the eclipse would have been heralded in with great fanfare ranging from the fearful to the orgiastic, one truth remains even in today’s social and political turmoil. We as humans cannot help but be awed by the forces of nature. We feel its power in the very marrow of our bones. Despite the disillusionment technology has wrought, the despair of social conflict, and the cynicism of a generation raised to know everything but marvel at nothing, I stood side by side in wonder with my neighbors, young and old, worker and boss, woman and man of all colors for a golden hour as we were reminded of our common humanity.

War, hate, coup d’etats, sex, love, headlines, elections. How insignificant are our earthly machinations in the scope of the universe? They are achingly precious to our beautiful blue planet, yes; yet insignificant on the whole. We rightly rage to break metaphoric walls and ceilings, while celestial masses of incomprehensible size dance across the solar system with grace. Today, a moon 64.3 million times smaller than the sun quietly journeyed across the sky and proved itself equal, blocking the sun’s fiery power without a shot fired, without rancor, without betraying its principles. It simply did. And then it was gone.

With a mere shadow, the underestimated moon cooled the mighty sun’s fervor.

In that baffling simplicity lies a lesson for us lowly humans. While we fight on the battlefields of sexism, racism, class, and war-mongering, let us remember that often the peaceful, unassuming path is the one that will prevail against the looming obstacle. We must fight the fire of hate with the cooling waters of love, suffocate the forge of war with peace.

Thousands gathered in Los Angeles to watch the solar eclipse. Photo: ABC 7

If the eclipse is indeed a harbinger of things to come — change, revolution, transformation — then let us reflect for a moment on the path we wish to take into that unknown future before charging heedlessly forward. The destination is an equal, just, fair earth. But shall we tear each other apart by the throat along the way? For while tigers kill in the name of food, we kill in the name of opinion. As we traverse the minutiae of legislation, free speech, religious doctrine, and political platforms, let us hold sacred the principles of love, tolerance, and good that led us here. For as Voltaire said in his Treatise on Tolerance,

“of all these superstitions, is not the most dangerous that of hating your neighbor for his opinions?”

Should we fight for what is right? Always. Should we argue for the equal rights of all? Till our dying breath. But the ends do not justify the means…The means determine the end. Non-violent, thoughtful, creative action may not result in a media frenzy and the victory may be a silent one, but you might actually change a few hearts along the way. And is that not the true goal? The choice is yours to be an unsung hero or a regretful martyr.

And when you’re done organizing and voting and making peace — take a load off and have an orgy pagan-style at the next solar eclipse in 2024. You earned it.

)

Masha Mendieta

Written by

When I grow up, I want to be a Renaissance woman. Artist, activist, political strategist. Filmmaker. Feminism, foreign policy, fine arts. Bernie 2016 staffer.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade