Evelyn Hald

       I've never really understood what's wrong with escapism. People talk about it like it's some big moral failing, like gritty realism is the only media worth consuming. And yes, it's true that there's a darkness to the world we live in. It is filled with prejudice and selfishness and so much anger. There is light, too, and goodness, but people hate so much more loudly than they love, and it's far too easy for one cloudy night to make you forget that there are stars.

       I think most people are under the impression that escapism is equivalent to looking out into a cloudy night and hiding under the covers, but this is simply not the case. It's true that you cannot go about life hiding from the darkness, but you can take a moment to light a candle. You can pause to create your own light when the world provides none.

       This is escapism. Finding hope. Living to fight another day. It's about staring the darkness in the face and saying, "We deserve better."

       Most nights these days are clouded and dark. I want to provide a candle flame for when we cannot see the stars.