Since I saw Hadestown last week, the song ‘If It’s True’ has been playing in my head nonstop. Orpheus sings this song in response to being told the situation was hopeless. He asks if this version of the story is something he (or anyone) has to accept and who gets to decide if it’s true.
Orpheus makes a decision, not as one who doesn’t understand how bad the situation is, but as one who sees it and rejects the temptation to lose hope. He decides to try anyway, because he hears the voices of those joining him in an act of resistance.
Friends, I admit I’m often tempted to lose hope and just rage at those who are content to let our babies hide under their desks. I am tempted to throw up my hands at the Christian influencers who call this a spiritual problem with no actionable ways to protect our children - but then I hear the chorus of people saying, “I believe that with each other we are stronger than we know.”
Don’t give up. Keep calling. Keep talking to your friends. Keep asking anyone in your sphere of influence if it’s true that this is the reality we have to accept.
I do not believe it is.