The Wall

I don’t feel inspired by resilience. There, I said it. People love resilience because it makes tragedy easier to look at. “Look how strong he’s been.” “Look how the kids are carrying on.” “Look how they’re finding a way.” Sure. We are. Because what’s the alternative? I’m not saying resilience is fake. I’m saying it’s often mistaken for consent. Like because we keep going, the load must be manageable. Because we adapt, the loss must somehow be integrating cleanly. No. Sometimes resilience is just what a trapped organism does. Sometimes it’s not noble. Sometimes it’s mechanical. Sometimes it’s fueled entirely by people who still need you and tasks that still exist. Call it resilience if you want. I call it not having a damn choice.