Spent ten hours on this flight, man- Juice WRLD
Spent 30 minutes on the type man- Kalen Russell finishing this piece
Kalen Russell is one of the world’s millions of people trying to navigate a disconcerting reality, a tumultuous and draining news cycle, social distancing, a remains to be seen economic whiplash and the final two weeks of a graduate program.
Told the pilot ain’t no flight plans- Juice WRLD
Told myself at no “write” plans, me writing without an outline or idea where this would go.
Despite the endless chronicling of the every world issue, statistic, and concern, time seems to be passing more slowly than ever. The days bleeding into one another, issuing a state of monotony that exceeds the predictable repetition of Bill Murray’s Groundhog’s Day.
I am abundantly blessed and have experienced privileges that allow me to spend most of my time indoors, keeping to myself, and completing tasks as I am able.
From my 24 years of experience as an extroverted only child, I would have conceived social distancing to be second-nature. I have spent years speaking into the abyss, analogously throwing spaghetti on the wall to learn which means of communication “stick,” or illicit a response from the general public and my mom and dad….
Can’t believe whatever I’m seeing- Juice WRLD
Can’t believe whatever I’m seeing- me, trying to figure out what is going on rn
This abyss is different. It is deep, it is narrow, there is no parameters to demarcate where my consciousness ends and reality- or shared conscientiousness of mankind begins. The inconceivable malleability of the feelings inhabiting the present moment have tied the world’s folk into some sort of unconsensual three-legged race.
We have all become forcibly joined together, and are consequentially deeply impacted by the missteps and speed of others.
How quickly and effectively one person social distances themselves from others has very real consequential on the lives of hundreds of others.
Just like in a mosh pit, “There ain’t no bystanders.”
How effectively leadership responds and reacts to the seriousness of the pandemic has very real and immediate consequences on thousands, if not millions of others.
There are enough think pieces about how to use this time to slow down, learn a skill, build a house, rethink the cosmos. There are also enough saying- don’t tell people what to do. To my delight, this piece is neither of this things. I’m just talking. Not trying to communicate anything necessarily, but to give some order to my thoughts, worries, and musings.
Bicentennial man, put the city on slam- Travis Scott
I don’t know what “put the city on a slam means,” -Kalen Russell
Mr. Scott’s reference to the movie Bicentennial Man, a movie about a robot with existential dread, is relatable. I certainly feel like a computer that has been given new information which simply does NOT fit my algorithm. There is no precedent to this.
Human kind has endured global and national threats before. Those threats don’t diminish the effects of the current pandemic, nor does the current pandemic diminish the effects of previous pandemics, fears and external threats.
I do believe what has allowed us to endure is a majority of people whole-heartedly trying to do good; expressing care, concern, empathy, and love towards others- family, friends, acquaintances, rivals, and most of all strangers.
We must all keep trying and realize how precious and connected all life is.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee. –John Donne, c. 1500s
If we rage against anything in this season, let us rage against apathy, inequitable access to healthcare, and the prioritization of money of people.
Furthermore, if we (mess) the club up, (mess) the club up, let it be the club of inequality, racism, imperialism, capitalism, and hate.
#NoBystanders
Kalen Nicole 
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