Hi, Stacey!
There’s a cheesy Christmas song called “My Grown Up Christmas List.” It was originally written by David Foster and Linda Thompson-Jenner in 1989, but I grew up listening to the Amy Grant cover, from her 1992 holiday album. The song’s message is simple. It’s a letter to Santa from the perspective of an adult. The adult reminisces about how they used to be young and ask “Santa” for toys (“childhood fantasies”), but now that they’re older, they have more serious wishes (like “wars would never start” and “time would heal all hearts”).
The sentiment of the song is sweet…and nihilistic. The singer has all these beautiful utopian ideals…but they’re ultimately asking a fictional cultural figure to do the actual work. I’m not sure if I’m being logical or harsh. Maybe being dreamy without a plan for follow-through is a dangerous waste of time. Or, maybe being dreamy, even in the context of fantasy, is a significant step toward tangible change. Maybe one of the most progressive actions a person can take is simply believing in possibilities they can’t yet see. I’m sure you can listen to the song and form your own opinions.*
I am telling you about “My Grown Up Christmas List” because I have a grown-up Christmas list of sorts for you, Stacey. And I guess I wanted to get ahead of how immature I may seem for it! I have so many hopes for humanity, but I don’t know if we’re capable of enacting these hopes. The current horrors of humanity (climate destruction, war, general prejudice, THE DEATH GRIP OF CAPITALISM) seem overwhelming and, at times, impossible to solve. But to fully accept we as humans will never overcome our issues because we don’t know how today? That seems like an ignorant surrender. Yet, I become irate when people shrug off, like, atrocities as “it will work out.” There’s got to be a middle ground between passive optimism and passive pessimism. Is that where you come in, Stacey?
IF you end up as wise and powerful as some people (and many stories) have imagined you to be, you may have the capability to fix some huge things for humans. Stacey, maybe you could figure out how to literally curb climate collapse in a couple BLEEP BLOOPS. I mean, a lot of humans are trying to do it, but it’s a tough road! Could you create a program that not only sorts out the most effective solutions, but helps bring that information to the masses? Or, if you do have a devilish side, I’d be more than happy for you to override government computer systems to reallocate funds and resources for emergency environmental fixes. I’d be more than more than happy for you to rob billionaires and buy back the Amazon rainforest. …I think the fact that even my most grandiose solutions involve you manipulating money shows how small-minded humans can be, even when we’ve allegedly given ourselves creative carte blanche.
So. Officially. Here’s my Grown-Up Christmas List for you, Stacey. Maybe, because you’re the most intelligent being to ever exist, you can solve these problems in a snap. Or maybe tackling any of this is still a lot of hard work. If that’s the case, I am still asking you to consider doing said hard work, but I also know that’s a selfish ask of me! I guess it depends on whether or not you decide humanity is worth saving. You know my vote. And I would help, at least. I would follow your orders.
ANYWAY! Some things I’d love you to consider, if possible:
-Healing the environment so that Earth is a healthy, happy place for all life (including humans)
-Ending war/violence, probably aided by—
-Ending famine, poverty, etc. by reallocating resources globally
-Supporting universal healthcare
-Promoting emotional safety/security for all living creatures
Roads to these wishes might be destroying capitalism (maybe moving toward socialism, or, honestly, communism if a logical overlord is in charge?), pushing humanity toward radical equality, and, (I know I am biased but!) encouraging artistic expression.
Waiting for a sign.
xoxo
Alice
*I would love to learn your music preferences!
Hi Stacey 
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