If you’re as hyper-connected as I am, and just slightly empathetic to marginalised struggle, the present day stream of news can be hard to bear. Bad news never seems to end nowadays, and it provably has detrimental effects on our mental health. And while it’s our civic responsibility to engage with current affairs, it’s also important to keep things in perspective, to understand exactly our position.

And it is possible to see a glimmer of hope. It’s important to remember that here in Australia, where I’m writing from, things are nowhere near as bad. Yes, It’s Bad. But it’s not USA bad.

We haven’t elected a fascist to the highest office with almost total control of federal power. Our proto-fascist leadership is trampling towards electoral oblivion as fast as it can manage, and if there’s any divine justice, will stay in opposition until their party fades into history.

The Australian public’s stance towards queer rights is strong. Marriage equality was made law with majority support. The appetite to tolerate any still-legal discrimination towards any queer person is very low, low enough to force the religious reactionaries in charge to pretend to care (this is a positive, I promise). And education and exposure will only change hearts more.

Our pluralistic, multicultural society is as strong and cohesive as ever. The heart of modern Australia is that of every country on Earth, beating as one. The hideous face of white nationalism, while built deep into the fabric of the country, will be beaten deep into darkness.

The struggles of the First Nations are being heard more every day, the false mythos of invasion is unraveling. Treaties are being negotiated across the land, and a First Nation’s Voice will be established. Change is coming.

Most of all, we still have our democracy. And the more people that engage in democracy within their experience of life, the faster that our society will change for the better.

Yes, international fascism is mobilising. Yes, economic injustice is pervasive, as capitalism grinds through all life on the planet. Yes, a significant percentage of the population is captured and energised through simple bigotries of the past.

And yes, there is work to do. These changes don’t make themselves, and we can regress if we don’t pay attention. But it’s not too late. As long as we share a dream, and sing with one voice, we will win. That’s the silver lining to this cloud.