The Book of Revolution

By Aaron Scott

A collection of social and political essays and poems to challenge thoughts, move goalposts,

and push boundaries…

 

Join Aaron as he recounts one Black man's experience of the madness that was the year 2020. Part personal journal, part observational comedy, part scream of rage, and part love letter to the world, Aaron gives voice to the complex swirl of emotions so many of us went through while offering his own poignant, inspiring, and challenging perspective. 

 

In a world of echo chambers where we ignore those that don't agree with us, brace yourself for some hard truths. As thought-provoking as it is hilarious, Aaron might challenge your worldview, but he does it with a wry sense of humor to soften the blows. 

 

Whatever your political leanings, Aaron will challenge you to think harder, consider things from another point of view, and most importantly, be and do better. 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aaron Scott
• Release date: Jul 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201235994

Book preview

Introduction

Revolution

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines revolution as a change in the way a country is governed, usually to a different political system and often using violence or war. It also defines it as a very important change in the way that people do things. Typically, when the word is used, it’s in the context of the first definition, but I would like to focus on the second.

In one of the textbooks I use, there’s a chapter on technological advances. It talks about the two kinds of change: Incremental and revolutionary. I’m thinking societal change also works in the same ways, and we are currently dealing with the latter. Think about it. Our lives have changed so much since January 2020. Personally, my world has completely transformed. This idea hit me pretty hard in September, as I was editing the original version of this book. I finished the first draft back in August of 2020. That version of The Book of Revolution was simply my collected poems and essays. As I was rereading my words from May and June, they suddenly felt incredibly dated and very far-removed from what was then the current moment.

This disconnect was further accentuated by the death of RBG and the ensuing hustle to find her replacement. In that moment, it dawned on me that I wasn’t telling the full story. My initial plan for this book was to talk about how changing yourself can lead you to create positive changes in the world around you. While that is a well-meaning and inspiring story, there’s more to reality than that. In the real world, you also have to cope with the surprises that life hands you, and 2020 literally felt like one unpleasant surprise after another. That’s when I decided to expand my story to include that. My main focus is still the interplay between the personal and the political, but now it has the added aspect of how it feels to be living through historic events.

To that end, I have added my social media to the book as a kind of diary, giving you my reaction to the events of 2020 as they unfolded and showing you step by step how my life changed as the year progressed. As I type this, we are currently entering the third month of our second COVID-19 lockdown in Berlin, and I can tell you for a fact that life here now bears no resemblance to the rollicking party that it was just one short year ago. Looking back on things I posted in January 2020 definitely reinforces that fact.

For me, social media has always been a way of screaming into the void. It gives me an outlet to vent frustrations that feel like they are too much to hold in, a place to share the jokes I am constantly telling myself (I love to make myself laugh. It really is one of my favorite hobbies, and it has come in very handy during isolation.) Those two things came together in the form of Come Get Your Children, a Facebook page that I created to share the funny and frustrating things that I encounter as a teacher. For me, social media is also a place to memorialize the things I love, whether it’s local street art, the beautiful scenery of my beloved Berlin, or delicious, fatty food (Yes, I am one of those basic bitches that posts pictures of their meals, and I’m not sorry about it.) At times, it might feel a bit schizophrenic, but I think that disconnect also encapsulates the feeling of the last year.

Somewhere in the middle of the chaos of 2020, my screaming into the void started to take the form of essays. In all honesty, they started out simply as rants. It took some formatting and editing to make them into essays. That’s when a peculiar thing happened. People started contacting me, saying how my words had affected and inspired them. This took me completely by surprise, because in all my years of screaming into the void, it never occurred to me that people were actually listening. This inspired me to write more, and that was the beginning of The Book of Revolution.

And here we are, six weeks into 2021, and the writing is finished, even if the chaos and change aren’t. Friends, I want to take a moment to thank you for taking this journey with me. It’s a very personal one, and it means a lot that you are here.

Aaron Scott

February 15, 2021

Berlin, Germany

---

.

One

January

January

1

Happy New Year from Lisbon. May 2020 lead us all to our happy place.

---

I’ve been in gay bars in several countries and have seen a lot of things, but Lisbon gave me a new experience: Porn in the bathroom.

---

January

2

Home sweet home. Just one quick trip for groceries, and I won’t leave you again until Monday morning.

---

January

6

All in all, not a bad first day back at work. Now I can go home and collapse.

---

January

8

Instead of complaining about being wide awake at 3am, I’m gonna be grateful that my body let me have 5 hours of sleep.

---

Right now, Facebook is reminding me that the human psyche was not designed to carry all the woes of the world. 

Pepperoni pizza

Today’s #fatboyrealness is brought to you by me. I do love that you can turn a 99 cent pizza into a work of art with just a little mozzarella and some pepperoni slices.

---

Wine in an ice bucket

Won a karaoke contest. Winning is good.

---

The Germans love the song Country Roads. I don’t know why, but by god they do. #confused

---

Author holding a glass of bubbly

Victory is my favorite flavor.

---

January

13

Bottle of bubbly and thermos side by side

A belated Christmas gift from one of my companies. They must have known the day I was having. Side Note: I wonder how much wine I can fit in the thermos...

---

January

16

Teaching Pet Peeve #432: When parents sign kids up for a class they have ZERO INTEREST IN. My job is hard enough without adding a hostile audience into the mix.

---

January

17

My Takeaway from YOU Season 2: It’s hard for some men to love a woman who is truly their equal.

---

January

23

Just signed up for my next German class. If anyone sees me roaming the streets, mumbling to myself in German, don’t worry. I’m just studying.

---

January

24

Nothing makes my inner thespian happier than finding a show about flawed characters that are absolutely lovable.

---

January

27

Nothing brightens a Monday morning like finding out your Friday classes are cancelled this week.

---

January

30

Now that I have sent off my last invoice, I’m officially off work for 10 days.

---

The biggest problem with capitalism is how it taught us to connect someone’s value to their job, and then it told us certain jobs have no value.

---

January

31

American capitalism started with the idea that you can own people. Looking at the current incarnation, it really hasn't evolved.

Two

February

February

2

As I am now sick during my vacation, I’m gonna have to start spraying the children with Lysol when they come in the room. #comegetyourchildren #andtheirgerms

---

February

3

With all due respect to the time-space continuum, can it please be 1998 again?

---

February

4

I just found out that you can get Nyquil here, and the game has totally changed. Why be sick when you can be unconscious?

---

Today a good friend reminded me of goals I forgot I was working towards and progress I forgot I was making.

---

February

5

I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing, but it’s becoming increasingly more difficult for me to care about anything.

---

February

6

Nothing will teach you humility faster than the German language. I'm gonna go home and cry now. #germanstudentproblems

---

February

7

Author looking sassy

It’s Friday. I’m on vacation. Let’s make some mischief.

---

February

8

I keep hearing how politics shouldn't affect relationships. That's some bullshit that privileged people say when they don't understand how their choices affect the people in their lives.

---

February

14

Forgot I was making toast, and for a second I thought I was having a stroke. So far, this morning’s off to a fantastic start.

---

Scenes from a German Classroom:

---

*At rise,

Teacher introduces a new system where students earn rewards for good behavior, including punctuality*

---

Teacher:

...so, if you earn 5 stars during the class, you'll get a reward.

---

The 3 Students

Who Were On Time: Ooh. Cool.

---

*At the end

of the class, Teacher is handing out rewards. 2 Tardy Students approach him*

---

Tardy Student 1:

Do I get a reward?

---

Teacher:

Sorry. You only have 4 stars.

---

Tardy Student 2:

That's only one less.

---

Teacher:

Too bad you were late. You could have had 5 stars.

---

Tardy Student 1:

It's Mira's fault. She said we should walk slow.

---

Teacher:

That sounds like a bad idea. Too bad. Maybe you'll have better luck next week. *Walks away*

---

*End Scene*

---

Moral of the Story:

Sometimes showing is better than telling, and some folks have to learn the hard way.

#comegetyourchildren

---

I love when kids try to be slick, but they don’t realize that I’ve been playing these reindeer games since long before they were even an idea. #comegetyourchildren

---

Scenes from a German Classroom:

---

Child:

*counting in German*

---

Teacher:

English, please.

---

Child:

*in German* Why?

---

Teacher:

*also in German* Because it’s English class.

---

Child:

*still in German* But I don’t want to lose my language.

---

Teacher:

*in English* And I don’t wanna lose my patience, but here we are.

---

Child:

*in German* What?

---

Teacher:

*in German* Nothing.

---

*End Scene*

Sometimes having students who can’t understand you is a blessing.

#comegetyourchildren

---

February

15

I believe in continuously setting goals. My current goal: Sleeping ‘til noon tomorrow.

---

street art

#streetart

street art

#berlinstyle #seeninmywanderings #expatadventures

Author being hugged and looking panicked; text overlay: When that hug should have ended 10 seconds ago

HELP. ME.

Author hugging someone else; text overlay: ME: All guys are full of crap. ME WITH A SINCERE GUY: This Mothafucka is crazy!!

Reason #578 why I’m #gonnadiealone #andthatsok

---

February

19

Here’s hoping I can sleep until my alarm goes off tonight.

---

February

21

Some of y'all aren't teaching your children accountability, and it shows. Just know that if they come into my classroom, that will be one of the first lessons we cover.

---

Blue no matter who works a lot better for white America than Black America, because some of these mofos are actually purple, and y’all have been saying for ages how you don’t see color.

---

February

22

Street art

#streetart #berlinstyle #seeninmywanderings #expatadventures

---

February

25

I might have taught my 2nd graders to play blackjack, and I’m not sorry.

---

February

26

It's only Wednesday, and I'm already over this week. #comegetyourchildren

---

February

27

You know you’re tired when the toast pops up, and you open the microwave.

---

February

29

Random Thought: What would an American Union look like? Imagine being able to travel, live, and work anywhere in North or South America, without a passport or visa...

Three

March

March

3

Sometimes being a teacher is having a 20 minute meeting with a parent about why their child doesn't have as many stickers as another child. #thisiswhyidrink#comegetyourchildren#andtheirparents

---

Terror is seeing a child pick their nose & eat it, knowing you have to hold their hand soon. #comegetyourchildren #andtheirgerms

---

Unpopular Opinion: Billionaires should not exist. Unless you are in fact laying golden eggs, there's no way you earned a billion dollars. You might HAVE a billion dollars, but don't act like you earned it.

---

March

5

Being in your 40s is going from apathetic to mildly annoyed to seriously irritated several times a day.

---

Some days, being a teacher is just counting backwards from 5 over and over again. #comegetyourchildren

---

Scenes from a German Classroom:

---

3yo:

I have to go potty.

---

Teacher:

Ok. Go ahead.

---

*3yo goes

in the bathroom and locks the door*

---

***5

minutes later***

---

3yo:

*from bathroom* Let me out!

---

Teacher:

What?

---

3yo:

Let me out!

---

Teacher:

*tries the door. It’s locked from the inside* I can’t. Unlock the door.

---

3yo:

Let me out! *starts crying*

---

Teacher‘s Inner Monologue:

Oh great. I’m gonna be on the news.

---

*End Scene*

#comegetyourchildren

---

Editor‘s Note:

No children were harmed in the making of this scene. I just had to get a key from another teacher, who was annoyed just enough to lecture the entire class on why they shouldn’t touch the locks on the bathroom doors.

---

March

6

The 8 year-old German cast of Mean Girls, AKA my last class, was actually nice. It's a Friday miracle!!!!

---

The Regina George of 2nd grade hugged me today. Either we've reached a turning point, or she just gave me coronavirus.

---

Scenes from a German Classroom:

---

Child 1:

Teacher, look at me! *does split*

---

Teacher:

Wow. Cool! Does it hurt?

---

Child 1:

No.

---

Child 2:

Look at me! *does slightly less impressive split. It DEFINITELY hurts*

---

Teacher:

Nice!

---

Teacher:

*spends next 5 minutes watching children doing splits (with varying levels of success)*

---

Teacher‘s Inner Monologue:

Yup. I asked for that.

---

*End Scene*

---

#comegetyourchildren

---

Scenes From a German Classroom:

---

*Teacher is

at the door with Puppet, and Children are lined up inside, waiting. This is the typical goodbye ritual. Child 1 approaches.*

---

Puppet:

*holds out paw* High five?

---

*kid gives high five.

Puppet bops him on the head*

---

Puppet:

Bye bye!

---

*Child 1 exits

as Child 2 approaches*

---

Puppet: *raising paw* High five?

---

*Child 2 grabs Puppet

& hugs him tight*

---

Puppet:

Awww. Hug!

---

*Child 2 continues

to hug Puppet. Puppet tries to get free, but Child 2 holds on tighter*

---

Teacher:

*in German* Ok, let him go.

---

*Child 2 holds

on even tighter. Teacher pries Puppet loose*

---

Puppet:

*bops kid on the forehead* Ok, bye bye!

---

*Child 2 reluctantly walks away,

as Child 3 approaches*

---

Puppet:

*holds up paw* High five?

---

*Child 3 punches

Puppet in the stomach*

---

Puppet:

*screaming* Why I oughtta...

---

*Puppet jumps on Child 3.

They tussle for a moment, until Teacher pulls Puppet away. Child 3 still wants to fight. He continues to swing at Puppet until Teacher restrains him with his free hand*

---

Teacher:

*in German* Ok, that's enough.

---

Puppet:

Bye bye. *waves*

---

*Discouraged,

Child 3 leaves as Child 4 approaches*

---

Puppet:

*holds up paw* High five?

---

*Child 4 kisses

Puppet on the mouth with tongue*

---

Teacher:..

---

Teacher's Inner Monologue:

Somebody's going in the washer this weekend.

---

Puppet:..

---

Puppet's Inner Monologue:

Damn, buddy. At least buy me a drink first!

---

Puppet:

*regaining composure, bops kid on the forehead* Bye bye!

---

*Child 4 leaves

as Teacher & Puppet go back into classroom and close the door. Puppet & Teacher exchange a look*

---

Teacher:

You know you have Corona now, right?

---

*End Scene*

#comegetyourchildren #andtheirgerms

---

Scenes from a German Classroom:

---

*Teacher arrives at Kita (daycare)*

---

Director:

We're gonna need you to wash your hands before you come in.

---

Teacher:

Ok.

---

Teacher's Inner Monologue:

You do realize the children are ok with picking EACH OTHER'S noses, right?

---

*End Scene*

#comegetyourchildren #andtheirgerms

---

March

7

What people aren’t talking about with regard to Coronavirus is the financial impact. In the US, 44% of people are living paycheck to paycheck. The prospect of missing 3 weeks of work is horrifying. This could be the difference between paying your rent and being homeless. Here in in Europe, it’s a fear a lot of freelancers, myself included, are facing. We don’t get paid sick leave. We don’t get any kind of paid time off. If our job closes, we don’t get paid. One of my companies emailed us this week about some schools closing and the possibility of more closing in the near future, and my first response was panic. I don’t know what I would do if I lost part or all of my income. It’s been raining for a few years now, and the rainy day fund is empty. I don’t mean to downplay the severity of the health problems this virus poses, but believe me when I tell you that it is extremely dangerous in more than that one way.

---

My current goal is to sleep til 3pm. Let’s see if I can live up to it.

---

March

8

Street artStreet art

#streetart #berlinstyle #seeninmywanderings #expatadventures

vines growing up a tree

#seeninmywanderings #expatadventures

---

Rainbow “Berlin Bear”

#bearsofberlin #seeninmywanderings #expatadventures

---

March

9

For whatever it’s worth, my primary ballot has been cast. In other news, I wished on a star and looked for 4 leaf clovers.

---

March

10

---

Scenes from a German Classroom:

---

*At rise,

children are entering classroom.*

---

Nobody:

---

Absolutely Nobody:

---

Little Girl:

Teacher, you're fat.

---

Teacher:

Excuse you?!

---

Little Girl:

Anna's dad is fat, but not as fat as you.

---

Teacher:...

---

Little Girl:

You're REALLY, REALLY FAT.

---

Teacher's Inner Monologue:

You in danger girl.

---

*End Scene*

#comegetyourchildren

---

March

12

I know it's only Thursday, but come get your children!

---

Scenes from a German Classroom:

---

*Teacher is trying desperately

to get through new material. The Children clearly have other plans*

---

Child 1:

Do you have a wife?

---

Teacher:

No.

---

Child 2:

Do you have a husband?

---

Teacher:

No.

---

Child 3:

Why not?

---

Teacher's Inner Monologue:

Oh, little child, we could talk about that, but I don't want to be responsible for your future need for therapy.

---

Teacher:

I like being alone.

---

Child 1:

But don't you want children?

---

Teacher:

*Takes a moment to regard children. He smiles.* No. No, I don't.

---

*End Scene*

#comegetyourchildren

---

March

13

It's Friday the 13th during a pandemic, and I'm teaching all day. #sendcloroxwipes  #andxanax  #andbooze

---

My kids and I speak different languages, but some things transcend language. For example, if I growl at them, they know they done fucked up.

---

Scenes from a German Classroom:

---

Child:

You look different.

---

Teacher:

Really?

---

Child:

Yeah, did your beard grow?

---

Teacher:...Sure...

---

Child:

Well, it looks good.

---

Teacher:

Thank you!

---

Teacher’s Inner Monologue:

Did I ever tell you you’re my favorite?

---

*End Scene*

#comegetyourchildren #butillkeepthisone

---

Scenes from a German Classroom:

Plague Edition:

---

*At the end of class,

Children are putting their coats on. Child approaches Teacher*

---

Child:

I'm not going back to the kita.

---

Teacher:

Really? Why?

---

Child:

I'm sick. I just came for your class.

---

Teacher:

*smiling* Aww. You shouldn't have.

---

Teacher's Inner Monologue:

*screams*

---

*End Scene*

#comegetyourchildren #andtheirgerms

---

Y'all!!! Somebody was listening!!!! As of Tuesday, all the children will be picked up!!!! But don't despair, kids. Come Get Your Children has stories from as far back as 1999 that are waiting to be told, and as of this moment, we have a lot more time to tell them. Stay tuned!!!!!

Author wearing “Zombienation” T-shirt

For my last night out before quarantine, I think the #zombienation tee is more than appropriate. #zombienation #endoftheworldparty #expatadventures

---

Rainbow over Berlin

This has been... a week. But I do love the moments when the Universe speaks to me and says it’s all okay. #alwayschasingrainbows #theuniversespeaks #ilisten #seeninmywanderings #expatadventures

March

14

I CANNOT stand it when someone presents themselves as an expert on a topic where they have no real knowledge. Whether it's race, national politics, or insight on a particular industry: If you are full of shit, I will come for you.

---

Now that I have nothing but time, I’m going to study more German, learn some music (improve my sightsinging), work out, and write. What are you doing with your time?

---

March

16

I’m gonna be real for a moment: We all know the tiny humans are not the most sanitary bunch. I have actually watched them in the wild. I have seen them pick their nose and eat it and still held their sticky little hands. I always accept their hugs. I always give them high fives. Why? Because that’s how they show love. For them, love is the strongest emotion, and I am not gonna refuse it. They’re not damaged like we are, and I refuse to change that. Even in the face of the current health crisis, I hold their hands, take their hugs, and return their high fives, because it’s the right thing to do.

---

My final pre-quarantine teaching day so far:

1st class: 2 kids

2nd class: 0 kids

4 classes to go!

---

Scenes from a German Classroom:

---

*It’s

the last day of school. Teacher is starting class. All the students are 2nd Graders except one 1st Grade Girl. Most of the kids are on time*

---

Nobody:...

---

2nd Grader 1:

Tardy Girl 1 and Tardy Girl 2 didn’t want to come to class, so they’re late on purpose.

---

Teacher:

(unbothered) Ok.

---

2nd Grader 2:

Are they in trouble?

---

Teacher:

Don’t worry about it.

---

*10 minutes

later- 2 Tardy Girls enter*

---

Tardy Girl 1:

Sorry we’re late. We had to go to the bathroom.

---

Teacher:

That is not what I heard.

---

Tardy Girl 2:

What did you hear?

---

Teacher:

Don’t worry about it.

---

*End of class.

Teacher is handing out stickers*

---

Teacher:

And as a special surprise, everyone who was on time gets 3 stickers! *looks at Tardy Girls* And if you were late, you only get one.

---

Tardy Girl 1:

What? I didn’t know that!

---

Teacher:

Yeah. That’s too bad. Okay, everyone. Stack the chairs on the tables and line up at the door.

---

*All the 2nd

Grade Girls go directly to the door. Only 1st Grade Girl stacks chairs. Teacher rips off a whole strip of stickers and hands them to 1st Grade Girl*

---

Teacher:

Thank you, 1st Grade Girl. Those are for you.

---

2nd Grader 1:

That’s unfair!

---

Teacher:

Yes, it is absolutely unfair that you made her do all the work by herself.

---

*End Scene*

#comegetyourchildren

---

March

17

Isolation Day 1: I managed to totally avoid people until I went to the grocery store. Apparently, the entire city felt like we weren’t spending enough time together.

---

I'm not religious in any way, but I do believe in The Universe. Today on the U-Bahn I was listening to the cast recording of the most recent Broadway production of Color Purple. There's a song with the lyric The good lord works in mysterious ways. For whatever reason, this spoke to me. We're entering uncharted territory, and I've got to believe that no matter how severe the storm, we will come out stronger on the other side. Stay safe, friends, and look for the good.

---

Since we're at the end of the world, I'm taking no prisoners. If you advocate for shitty things, I will be calling you out.

---

PSA: If you are my friend and you voted for Trump, I blame you. I blame you for everything that has happened since then. Also know that I won’t forgive you. That’s just the reality of our world.

---

March

18

Quarantine Day 2: Up at 1am & eating ice cream for breakfast. Because why the hell not?

Buildings along the Spree in Berlin

As I have nowhere to be for a while, I decided to do something that I haven’t done in a long time: Wander. (Of course, I stayed as far away from people as the sidewalk would allow.) I just put on one of my favorite cast albums and started walking. It was really nice to just lose myself in the sights and sounds. #seeninmywanderings #socialdistancingedition #expatadventures

Military statue in BerlinSchloss CharlottenburgRathaus CharlottenburgBlue “Berlin Bear”

#seeninmywanderings #bearsofberlin #expatadventures #socialdistancingedition

Street artStreet art

#streetart #berlinstyle #seeninmywanderings #expatadventures #socialdistancingedition

Street artStreet art

---

March

19

I wish my knees still allowed for running. A nice long run would be so therapeutic right now.

---

Quarantine Day 3: Really regretting not getting a haircut last week. Bright Side: That post-quarantine afro is gonna be so real.

Flowers

In other news: Spring is here! #seeninmywanderings #expatadventures #socialdistancingedition

---

Street art “Love”

#streetart #berlinstyle #seeninmywanderings #expatadventures #socialdistancingedition

---

March

20

Quarantine Day 4: Going to bed at 6am feels like things are normal. Being sober when I do? Not so much.

---

March

21

The lady in front of me at the store was stocking up on beer, cigarettes, wine, and chocolate. That’s the 4 basic food groups of the apocalypse.

---

Quarantine Day 5: I discovered musicals online, and I have had a sing-along binge all day. Also pretty sure my roommate hates me right now.

---

So far today I have watched Wicked, Heathers, Les Mis, and Shrek. Best. Quarantine. Day. EVER!!!!! Unless you’re my roommate.

---

March

22

Quarantine Day 6: I never knew how exhausting it could be to sleep all day. Going back to bed.

---

March

23

Quarantine Day 7: The ice cream is gone, and I’m left wondering why bad things happen to good people.

---

March

24

Quarantine Day 8: We need new smalltalk options for FaceTiming. What’s new with you? is no longer a valid conversation starter.

Stuck in a Moment

---

If you're feeling

overwhelmed by the current situation, keep scrolling. I'm just feeling the need to vent, and given my current state of isolation, my only option is to scream into the void. If you're still reading, buckle your seatbelt. It's about to get dark.

Honestly, right now I feel like I'm watching a trainwreck in super slow motion, and there's nothing to do but just let the band play on. Here in Berlin, we are in isolation. Gathering in groups of more than two is forbidden. If you are somewhere outside, you have to carry your passport and proof of address at all times. The whole situation just feels so surreal.

For the last couple of years, I have had this sense of foreboding, feeling like something seriously bad was coming, but I didn't know what. I guess I know now. I keep reading the news, as country after country locks down, and the infection numbers climb. I see the stories coming out of Italy. I see the information about flattening the curve, and I realize that we're just getting started.

On the other side, I see all the people who are not taking it seriously. I see the people who just think it's the flu, the people who think their religion is going to save them, the people who think it's a hoax. I see these people,