Sincerity isn't cool
But it sure feels great
It’s that magical time of year again! Not for you, maybe (assuming you’re not a resident of Ithaca, NY). But if you’re an Ithacan, you know.
If you’re not, I bet you’ll get your chance soon.
I’m talking about the Ithaca Festival, which occurs every year on the weekend right after Cornell University’s graduation. It’s explicitly, as my youngest and I were discussing with gleeful satisfaction last night, a chance for the townies to reclaim our space for the summer. Or, as I like to say, to really let our freak flags fly.
It all kicks off with the Ithaca Festival Parade, which was last night. Did I hang out a second floor window overlooking the parade route, excitedly yelling commentary that no one asked for? You better believe I did.
”Look! The Montessori kids and SO MANY PARENTS, all playing music and dancing!”
”And now the Unitarians! But where are the ukeleles?!? Maybe that’s the Baptists? Yay, for rainbow umbrellas, though!”
”And now the Baptists! WITHOUT UKELELES! But love that sparkly jumpsuit!”
”I don’t know what Soil Factory is! But I like that thing they’re doing? Which is…A DANCING FLOWER BED?!?”
”PHYSICS BUS!”
”Why is that hippo in a tutu? To get young people to vote, OF COURSE!”
”VOLVO BALLET!! WOOT-WOOT!”
I’m not particularly prone to patriotism, or to enthusiastic affiliation with any institution. But it’s good to be reminded every year as I watch my neighbors be unashamedly silly and proud of their own associations and passions that I really, really love this town.
We have seen so clearly this last year and more, from Chicago to LA, to Portland, and the Twin Cities, what neighboring can look like at its most heroic. What is possible when regular people step up to defend each other. From a distance, it has seemed to offer a powerful experience of belonging. Even at a distance, it has offered me that, and maybe you, too.
But, man, it’s hell on the nervous system, all that terror and hypervigilance.
There will be more of both, unfortunately, before we get to whatever is next. More chances to stand up for our neighbors being terrorized. More chances to be watchful, defiant, and brave.
But allow me to suggest that engaging in your own version of hanging out a second floor window to loudly and sincerely love on your neighbors while they do whatever weird things they do is another way to find belonging. It’s not cool, all this enthusiasm and sincerity, but it feels freakin’ great.
Does your city/town/neighborhood have an annual parade, street festival, community BBQ, block party, boat race, or 5K? Put your body there. Remember what it feels like to be in proximity to other random people celebrating.
Race if you want to, or dance, or eat. Just wander through, enjoying the spectacle. Cheer if there’s cheering to be done. It doesn’t matter if they’re “your” people you’re cheering for. We’re all each other’s people, if we want to be.
You know who’s not joyful? Authoritarians.
You know who hates a messy, creative, weird gathering of disparate humans enjoying each other in the sunshine? Fascists.
So, my friends, get out there and be your most sincere, messy, weird selves. And cheer on your neighbors doing the same. Be defiantly enthusiastic and deeply uncool.
Sometimes, that’s exactly what the revolution needs.
I’ll see you out there.
XO, Asha
Asha! You make me want to move to Ithaca! I think making a fool of yourself in public is highly underrated. As is joyfully encouraging and celebrating others being foolish in public. Thank you for this incredibly uplifting post.
Thank you for sharing the joyful weirdness of Ithaca in the summer! :)