Final evening, my sister texted, “I simply went to CoJ to see in the event you put a heartening message on Inauguration Day. I really feel like it’s best to put up a hug, waaaah.” I texted her again with so many hearts, however I used to be draped in youngsters — these two, particularly — so couldn’t write far more.
However immediately, my loves, how are you? What’s your emotional temperature? The information is so heavy proper now — for instance, Elon Musk gave a Nazi salute omfg and Trump is pardoning almost all of the rioters who stormed the Capitol on January sixth, 2021, together with the previous chief of the Proud Boys. Persons are petrified of what’s going to occur over the following few days, weeks, months and years; many teams are feeling threatened and attacked.
I’d wish to say 4 issues.
First, we’re all nonetheless right here. My coronary heart charge calms after I remind myself that Michelle and Barack Obama are preventing for good, Kamala Harris headed straight to L.A. to assist hearth survivors, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by no means stops talking fact to energy; the listing goes on and on. And simply go searching! Our households, our pals, our communities, we’re right here for one another, and that’s no small factor.
Youngsters are studying and rising and coming into themselves, as effectively. “Regardless that my coronary heart is damaged that she misplaced the election, and I used to be constantly enraged by the methods sexism and racism made every thing tougher for her, one thing sudden occurred to me on the job: I witnessed Harris’ affect, and it started to alter me,” wrote Azza Cohen, Kamala Harris’s videographer. Cohen filmed a whole lot of clips of Harris encouraging younger individuals to consider in themselves — particularly ladies. “The vice chairman would say, ‘Let me hear you say, “I’m a pacesetter,”‘ and even the youngest ladies would say it again.”
Second, maintain your spirits up! “The Trump individuals have been signaling for days that they’re going to hit the bottom working with what they describe as an govt ‘shock and awe,’” wrote Josh Marshall of Speaking Factors Memo. “All of that is meant to hit you with a lot sensory stimulus that you just change into overwhelmed.” So, take deep breaths and maintain placing one foot in entrance of the opposite. Let your love for individuals offer you stamina.
Third, know your rights, and share that information with those that might have it. For instance, right here’s a transparent listing of immigrant rights, together with “you’ve the proper to stay silent,” “you don’t have to open your door to anybody until they present you a warrant signed by a choose,” and “you’ve the proper to talk to a lawyer.” Please share different factsheets within the feedback part, when you’ve got them.
Fourth, we shall be organizing Cup of Jo / Huge Salad volunteering days, and we’d love so that you can be part of us in individual! We shall be doing issues like getting out the vote to assist flip the Home in 2026. Delivering meals to of us who want it. Preventing for LGBTQ+ rights. Defending entry to girls’s well being facilities. Please keep tuned for sign-up data.
Sending a lot like to anybody who wants it. What would you add? How are you feeling? Please share under. xoxoxo
P.S. There may be good on this world, and an nervousness trick that works.
(Picture of Maroon Bell Path by Aaron Thomas/Stocksy.)
