It's been a heck of a week. A problematic inauguration address, flurry of harmful Executive Orders, silencing of public health agencies & more. A look at how the disability community is being impacted
Thank you for this long and heart-rending piece. So many facets to it...
We can start by pointing out that the people being nominated and, God help us, confirmed for his cabinet are woefully without merit, competence, or experience to do their jobs, not to mention the massive integrity deficit of the whole lot. We still have Patel, Kennedy, and Gabbard to defeat.
There's a significant outbreak of tuberculosis in Kansas City, Kansas, right now, which I suspect we'd be hearing more about if there wasn't a blackout on all information that would be put out by national groups on public health. Is part of Donald's plan to see how many people he can kill off? He's already responsible for the deaths of one million Americans; why wasn't that highlighted by the Dems during the campaign?
I need to dig out my copy of Anne Frank Remembered by Miep Gies and read it again. Hadn't know until I read it that the Franks and others in the "secret annex" weren't the only families for whom she was risking her own life by helping them. Full title is Anne Frank Remembered: The Story of the Woman Who Helped to Hide the Frank Family. Was going to post a link a link to Amazon as it's the simplest way to see it, but it was about eight lines deep. Also, I know there are many people who don't want to shop Bozo Bezos any more. Do you know any more good source for learning about her?
What's a good source for masks beyond the simple surgical ones? I recall that there were problems with "fakes" being sold during the height of the pandemic.
Thank you so much for mentioning the tuberculosis outbreak - it’s shameful how little press that’s getting! I’ve posted about it a few days but as you said with a public health blackout people aren’t getting the information.
Then there was the Medicaid freeze/not freeze today. Trump press secretary saying the funding freeze doesn’t impact Medicaid while state officials say they couldn’t access the funds. Incredibly stressful for anyone relying on Medicaid for healthcare.
I’m not aware of other books on Miep Gies but National Geographic made a wonderful miniseries that I wish had gotten more attention. It’s called “A Small Light”.
I think I saw that there was a documentary about her around the time of International Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jan. 27) either last year or two years ago. I had recorded it, but Hulu doesn't always record things right and then they delete them after a certain amount of time. I never got it watched.
Yes, they were full of s*** about that Medicaid "glitch." These pathetic excuses for human beings can't even own up to what they're doing, and Donald is full-on in the middle of it. Saw him quoted earlier today as (approximately) "some people" saying the IGs weren't doing a good enough job "in some cases" and one other nonsensical phrase just like he's been doing for years as an excuse for his illegal action, which of course he does in the middle of the night.
It's never "I want this," it's "people are saying...." Couple of years ago, saw him interviewed by a British reporter who pressed him more than just about any American has on just who "these people" are. Of course Donald tap-danced around it, but the guy kept pushing. Of course he had no good answer. He's such a louse. At this hour, 12:30 a.m. where I am, it gets harder and harder to come up with decent language to use when referring to him and his cabal.
Yeah he tap dances a lot - we should call him Bojangles! He never gives a straight answer and I’m always grateful to reporters who try not to let him get away with it.
also I’m sorry I completely missed your question about masks! I’m in Canada so I use a Canadian distributor, but I think they also ship to the US. They’ve got a great selection, the Vitacore N99 is my favourite right now. https://canadastrong.ca/
You could also look for a mask bloc in your area as they may have suggestions for where to buy.
Canadian :) Used to spend a lot of time in NYC though when I worked as a theatre critic. What you guys do directly impacts us, so trying to my part from the Great White North!
I didn't know there was such a thing as a mask bloc. Thanks for the information. I bet he'd love being called Bojangles, but we'd get called out for being racists if we did. If anything, it's an insult to Bill Robinson.
Thank you for answering June! I’m in Canada so we use different suppliers … it’s good to hear what others recommend. I also want to shout out the Flo Mask as I know many people love it for comfort and breathability.
Thanks. I do wear glasses, and I'll check them out. Are these masks still based on not wearing them more than one time?
I can keep the notification in my inbox, but is there any way to save messages on Substack somewhere to go back and read later? I still don't know how half of Substack works.
I keep editing this as I read more. Do you know where to find any of the NIOSH ones approved ones, or are those only N95s?
Thanks for your input. I access almost everything on my desktop computer, but I do take screen shots when I think it will be helpful. I also bookmark things or email links to myself, but finding them again--or even remembering I have them!--is another story altogether.
I've not found any easy way to save comments. It's so frustrating. I take the link and email it to myself and keep them all in a folder.
As for NIOSH certified, if you check the Canada Strong website I sent you it will list a number of NIOSH approved masks and most are available in the US as well.
It took a lot of spoons to read it, so I fully respect how much it took for you to cull and fact check this information and present it in a neutral tone. Thank you for doing this, I love that you wrapped it up with Bishop Budde showing us all how to talk truth to bullies. Ending on a hopeful high note, reminding us that there are loving people who aren't afraid to do what's right.
Thank you for reading it in spite of its length… it kinda got away from me a bit. Trump is doing so much so fast … one can only assume it’s intentional to overwhelm and distract people from atrocities.
I was so grateful for Bishop Budde. I was burned out and wallowing in despair when I heard her interview on Rachel Maddow where she explained why she wouldn’t apologize. She was so brave, compassionate and eloquent. Exactly what we need!
No problem about the length, my dear. It was as long as it should be. It was the content all at once that was a spoon zapper. But highly necessary to say informed and engaged. Thank you again 🙏
This must have been exceedingly difficult to write. Thank you for your time, effort…your caring.
I am going to come back and reread this again, and again…because it is full of reminders, and radical hope.
I have been organizing, lifting voices, and helping to build communities for 30 years. And I’ve been burnt out, rested, taken time, recharged and started again.
I had a deep feeling all of this was coming, so I took a year off. And I’m going to be making space for connection and intergenerational interaction, and community…again. Because I can’t give up.
I want to help people find ways to calm their nervous systems, to find friendships, and reasons to keep helping. To create space for disabled folks, queer folks, BIPOC communities, and neurodivergent humans looking for belonging.
I know I can’t change everything, but I can do this small thing. I can give people access to books, to nature, to calm, to joy, to crafting. I’m still working it out.
I’m also donating to legal funds right now, and mutual aid requests, while I still have monies to do so.
…and I took this upcoming month off to rest. Because I need it. And it was encouraged by my partner, and my bosses. Because I need to recharge for what is coming.
Thank you again, for existing, and for this work. 💖
Thank you so much Wake for recognizing the toll the article took on me … it really means a lot to be “seen” in that way.
It was hard to find hope after researching all these horrible policies, but we need to keep trying. When you lose hope you lose the battle.
Bishop Budde really inspired me with her kindness and compassion as well as her eloquence when she refused to apologize. I hope we see more and more people rise up in this manner.
We can’t give up, but we definitely need to make time to rest and recharge. It’s good there’s a whole community of us fighting together!
And that was just week one, OMG. I've fastened my tweetbelt, but the speed with which our democracy is being dismantled and sold for parts is breathtaking. Thank you for taking this on. And, know that you are under no obligation to torture yourself writing about all this either. But I'm very very grateful for your eloquent voice. Thank you.
Thank you for saying that Jan. A friend actually asked me “you’re not going to do this every week are you?” And my reflexive answer was “absolutely not”.
It takes way too many spoons and there’s so much negativity.
My plan is to post important updates on Notes and will write round up articles as my health permits
I don’t think we can afford to not pay attention, but we need to be mindful of the limits of our health and the impact to our overall spirit. As you said… it’s only week one!
This is a stunning amount of content to provide to the community. I'm so grateful for all of the time, effort, thought, and energy you put into its creation! Our communities need each other now more than ever, and I'm so proud to stand alongside you. Thank you for thinking of me, for thinking of my community and my family, and for saying so out loud. American politics all feels incredibly personal right now, so these very-much-not-small gestures of friendship and solidarity matter in ways I struggle to express.
Thank you so much for reading it Robin! I know it's very long but I figure we are getting hit with news 24/7 and people are so overwhelmed. Hopefully putting everything in one place that people can reference at their own pace can reduce some stress.
I don't know what it would take to create a static resource page for folx to have access to, but this belongs there. I'll think on it and see if there are other people who could help lift that load.
Thank you Robin! That feels like high praise! If we could find a way to do that I would happily keep writing weekly or biweekly summaries of what's happening... I would need community help though as this took a spectacular number of spoons.
I want to keep trying though because I think many people have muted a ton of these topics on social media because they're rightfully exhausted and stressed out, and I would like to be a low stress source of information that we can't ignore.
💙 as usual this written from personal experience as well as todays news… BBT you have a way of communicating your message that informs as well as teaches those who don’t understand the issues… be strong 💪🏼 people like you I’d stand for and next to until my death if needed…
Thank you Rick, that’s incredibly kind! I want to communicate the news in a way that’s accurate and helpful but (hopefully) not too taxing on people’s nervous systems.
I want to make it accessible so those “on the other side” might consider reading and learning about another point of view.
Thank you for this and for taking the time to be accurate and not just blast out the usual clickbait headlines. You mention the need to seek and support Independant truthful journalists and I would love it if you made some recommendations. I'm growing weary of reading articles that are clearly pushing agendas or needlessly biased to one side or another. The middle ground seems like a vast, open plain with no one in it anymore.
I’m trying to fill that vast open plain but it is tricky these days. Most platforms are designed to reward the most click-baity content … so people gravitate towards it whether they mean to or not.
Dan Rather is here and does great work. There’s also Wonkette, Erin Reed, Robert Reich, Jessica Valenti & Nick Tsergas.
I attempted to call the ADA today to get advice on my RA being declined for my position…the phone number at the ADA has been disconnected. I haven’t seen this anywhere in the media. But I’ve felt this whole time those of us with LC are protected from discrimination because of the ADA, well not if they shut off their funding & their phones
Hi Colleen… what number were you calling? I’ve asked people to try on a few of my socials and they’re all reporting that it’s working (I can’t test it from Canada). But I think for now it’s ok!
Labour's plan actually tells you "spend at least 35 hours every week looking for work". But not one "job hirer" has even acknowledged the job application filed. Are these jobs actual "puffs" to get your data to sell on? Salaries are the same amount as they were in 2004. They do not cover costs of rent, utilities, and transport never mind food, a non-essential item on the budget.
WOW!! That was REALLY well written. What is going on in the U.S.A. today is very scary. I don't believe it's anywhere near freedom and America has forgotten what it stands for. It's VERY VERY SAD!!! I wanted to answer your questions so here goes....
1. How are you protecting your health and nervous system right now?
* I post from time to time because even though I have ABSOLUTELY NO doubt that it bothers my health, I know that it also bothers alot of others. Posting is VERY small and due to technical issues is often impossible for me on some platforms. It's important to me that everyone know that they are not alone in this fight, so I can't act like they are. We each are a part of We The People and our voices matter.
2. Are you struggling with how much bad news is out there?
* Absolutely!!! I can't even read some of the things posted because I know it will bother me. Sometimes, I simply stick to art but again...I can't do that ALL of the time because I feel VERY strongly that EVERYONE matters. I am only ONE person out of MANY. Who am I to stay silent?
3. Do you have a support network or a safety plan in place?
* Online, yes. Offline, not much of one. I've gone no contact with most of my family and am belittled, ignored by the society I live in but I DO live in the South. Due to that, I shouldn't be surprised, yet at times, I still am.
4. What are you doing to try and help others?
* I post on Disabled rights, Epilepsy among other things, Bi rights, Trans rights, African American rights, Womens rights, etc.
* I reply to posts trying to stand up for the people when I am in the health to do so. Even when I get multiple technical issues, I STILL post to let others know that they aren't alone.
* I also will bluntly stand up for what is right when someone brings it up in person.
* I try to ignore Trump because I honestly believe he is unworthy of my hate. I feel sorry for him and think he is mentally ill of which he would deny but just how many people who are mentally ill deny it?
* What REALLY makes me sad is knowing that my family is ok with my living in the U.S.A. right now because the U.S.A. is nolonger worthy of my living here. I know there ARE some good people to and I can't ignore that fact but I do not believe that it's simply the Presidents fault for the actions going on today. I think the U.S.A. is sick and many won't acknowledge it in order to get better. I believe that what's going on today is a repeat of what went on in 1692 Salem when people followed one another. Only years later did they truly know their actions were 100% wrong. Today may not be EXACTLY the same as that but history is repeating itself due to what we did not learn from that experience and others. That would include the event you mentioned of the Nazi's. My heat breaks wondering when will people learn?
One thing I want to add is that this is also a comprehensive historical record that needs to be preserved. Future generations will need accurate narratives. I believe you have also captured the spirit and tenacity of this community during our unprecedented times.
I really appreciate you writing this. I haven’t been able to read the entire thing yet due to emotional overwhelm, but I plan to come back to it. I do want to mention that the messaging of the protest sign “love trumps hate” is very ambiguous. I realize this is intended as a sign against fascism, however, it can be read in the opposite way simply by adding the personal pronoun at the beginning. I would urge demonstrators to avoid using this signage.
Hi Joanna - thank you for commenting. I'm sorry but I'm not sure I understand why the personal pronoun makes it ambiguous? I'm sure I'm missing something obvious but if you could let me know I would appreciate it.
Thanks for asking for clarification. The sign is ambiguous as is. Adding the pronoun clarifies that it can also be interpreted as “I love Trump’s hate” - in support of Trump. It can also be seen as a request or exhortation to love Trump’s hate. I realize this is a nuance but it comes up for me every time I see the sign. It feels like the sign carries this ambiguously pro-Trump interpretation.
Thank you for this long and heart-rending piece. So many facets to it...
We can start by pointing out that the people being nominated and, God help us, confirmed for his cabinet are woefully without merit, competence, or experience to do their jobs, not to mention the massive integrity deficit of the whole lot. We still have Patel, Kennedy, and Gabbard to defeat.
There's a significant outbreak of tuberculosis in Kansas City, Kansas, right now, which I suspect we'd be hearing more about if there wasn't a blackout on all information that would be put out by national groups on public health. Is part of Donald's plan to see how many people he can kill off? He's already responsible for the deaths of one million Americans; why wasn't that highlighted by the Dems during the campaign?
I need to dig out my copy of Anne Frank Remembered by Miep Gies and read it again. Hadn't know until I read it that the Franks and others in the "secret annex" weren't the only families for whom she was risking her own life by helping them. Full title is Anne Frank Remembered: The Story of the Woman Who Helped to Hide the Frank Family. Was going to post a link a link to Amazon as it's the simplest way to see it, but it was about eight lines deep. Also, I know there are many people who don't want to shop Bozo Bezos any more. Do you know any more good source for learning about her?
What's a good source for masks beyond the simple surgical ones? I recall that there were problems with "fakes" being sold during the height of the pandemic.
Thank you so much for mentioning the tuberculosis outbreak - it’s shameful how little press that’s getting! I’ve posted about it a few days but as you said with a public health blackout people aren’t getting the information.
Then there was the Medicaid freeze/not freeze today. Trump press secretary saying the funding freeze doesn’t impact Medicaid while state officials say they couldn’t access the funds. Incredibly stressful for anyone relying on Medicaid for healthcare.
I’m not aware of other books on Miep Gies but National Geographic made a wonderful miniseries that I wish had gotten more attention. It’s called “A Small Light”.
I think I saw that there was a documentary about her around the time of International Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jan. 27) either last year or two years ago. I had recorded it, but Hulu doesn't always record things right and then they delete them after a certain amount of time. I never got it watched.
Yes, they were full of s*** about that Medicaid "glitch." These pathetic excuses for human beings can't even own up to what they're doing, and Donald is full-on in the middle of it. Saw him quoted earlier today as (approximately) "some people" saying the IGs weren't doing a good enough job "in some cases" and one other nonsensical phrase just like he's been doing for years as an excuse for his illegal action, which of course he does in the middle of the night.
It's never "I want this," it's "people are saying...." Couple of years ago, saw him interviewed by a British reporter who pressed him more than just about any American has on just who "these people" are. Of course Donald tap-danced around it, but the guy kept pushing. Of course he had no good answer. He's such a louse. At this hour, 12:30 a.m. where I am, it gets harder and harder to come up with decent language to use when referring to him and his cabal.
Yeah he tap dances a lot - we should call him Bojangles! He never gives a straight answer and I’m always grateful to reporters who try not to let him get away with it.
also I’m sorry I completely missed your question about masks! I’m in Canada so I use a Canadian distributor, but I think they also ship to the US. They’ve got a great selection, the Vitacore N99 is my favourite right now. https://canadastrong.ca/
You could also look for a mask bloc in your area as they may have suggestions for where to buy.
If you don't mind my asking, are you Canadian or a United Statesian living in Canada?
Canadian :) Used to spend a lot of time in NYC though when I worked as a theatre critic. What you guys do directly impacts us, so trying to my part from the Great White North!
We appreciate help from anywhere!
I didn't know there was such a thing as a mask bloc. Thanks for the information. I bet he'd love being called Bojangles, but we'd get called out for being racists if we did. If anything, it's an insult to Bill Robinson.
It is absolutely an insult to Bill Robinson (sorry I thought have indicated it was tongue in cheek).
Here's the website to find mask blocs worldwide...they're a truly wonderful resource! https://maskbloc.org/
Oh, I 'm sorry...I didn't really think you were insulting him. I was speaking in an eye-roll way myself.
Bookmarked, thanks.
Thank you for answering June! I’m in Canada so we use different suppliers … it’s good to hear what others recommend. I also want to shout out the Flo Mask as I know many people love it for comfort and breathability.
Thanks. I do wear glasses, and I'll check them out. Are these masks still based on not wearing them more than one time?
I can keep the notification in my inbox, but is there any way to save messages on Substack somewhere to go back and read later? I still don't know how half of Substack works.
I keep editing this as I read more. Do you know where to find any of the NIOSH ones approved ones, or are those only N95s?
Thanks for your input. I access almost everything on my desktop computer, but I do take screen shots when I think it will be helpful. I also bookmark things or email links to myself, but finding them again--or even remembering I have them!--is another story altogether.
I've not found any easy way to save comments. It's so frustrating. I take the link and email it to myself and keep them all in a folder.
As for NIOSH certified, if you check the Canada Strong website I sent you it will list a number of NIOSH approved masks and most are available in the US as well.
The trouble with throwing things in a folder for me is "out of sight, out of mind." Oh well.
It took a lot of spoons to read it, so I fully respect how much it took for you to cull and fact check this information and present it in a neutral tone. Thank you for doing this, I love that you wrapped it up with Bishop Budde showing us all how to talk truth to bullies. Ending on a hopeful high note, reminding us that there are loving people who aren't afraid to do what's right.
Thank you for reading it in spite of its length… it kinda got away from me a bit. Trump is doing so much so fast … one can only assume it’s intentional to overwhelm and distract people from atrocities.
I was so grateful for Bishop Budde. I was burned out and wallowing in despair when I heard her interview on Rachel Maddow where she explained why she wouldn’t apologize. She was so brave, compassionate and eloquent. Exactly what we need!
No problem about the length, my dear. It was as long as it should be. It was the content all at once that was a spoon zapper. But highly necessary to say informed and engaged. Thank you again 🙏
This must have been exceedingly difficult to write. Thank you for your time, effort…your caring.
I am going to come back and reread this again, and again…because it is full of reminders, and radical hope.
I have been organizing, lifting voices, and helping to build communities for 30 years. And I’ve been burnt out, rested, taken time, recharged and started again.
I had a deep feeling all of this was coming, so I took a year off. And I’m going to be making space for connection and intergenerational interaction, and community…again. Because I can’t give up.
I want to help people find ways to calm their nervous systems, to find friendships, and reasons to keep helping. To create space for disabled folks, queer folks, BIPOC communities, and neurodivergent humans looking for belonging.
I know I can’t change everything, but I can do this small thing. I can give people access to books, to nature, to calm, to joy, to crafting. I’m still working it out.
I’m also donating to legal funds right now, and mutual aid requests, while I still have monies to do so.
…and I took this upcoming month off to rest. Because I need it. And it was encouraged by my partner, and my bosses. Because I need to recharge for what is coming.
Thank you again, for existing, and for this work. 💖
Thank you so much Wake for recognizing the toll the article took on me … it really means a lot to be “seen” in that way.
It was hard to find hope after researching all these horrible policies, but we need to keep trying. When you lose hope you lose the battle.
Bishop Budde really inspired me with her kindness and compassion as well as her eloquence when she refused to apologize. I hope we see more and more people rise up in this manner.
We can’t give up, but we definitely need to make time to rest and recharge. It’s good there’s a whole community of us fighting together!
And that was just week one, OMG. I've fastened my tweetbelt, but the speed with which our democracy is being dismantled and sold for parts is breathtaking. Thank you for taking this on. And, know that you are under no obligation to torture yourself writing about all this either. But I'm very very grateful for your eloquent voice. Thank you.
Thank you for saying that Jan. A friend actually asked me “you’re not going to do this every week are you?” And my reflexive answer was “absolutely not”.
It takes way too many spoons and there’s so much negativity.
My plan is to post important updates on Notes and will write round up articles as my health permits
I don’t think we can afford to not pay attention, but we need to be mindful of the limits of our health and the impact to our overall spirit. As you said… it’s only week one!
Do pace and take care of yourself. ❤️
This is a stunning amount of content to provide to the community. I'm so grateful for all of the time, effort, thought, and energy you put into its creation! Our communities need each other now more than ever, and I'm so proud to stand alongside you. Thank you for thinking of me, for thinking of my community and my family, and for saying so out loud. American politics all feels incredibly personal right now, so these very-much-not-small gestures of friendship and solidarity matter in ways I struggle to express.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for reading it Robin! I know it's very long but I figure we are getting hit with news 24/7 and people are so overwhelmed. Hopefully putting everything in one place that people can reference at their own pace can reduce some stress.
I don't know what it would take to create a static resource page for folx to have access to, but this belongs there. I'll think on it and see if there are other people who could help lift that load.
Thank you Robin! That feels like high praise! If we could find a way to do that I would happily keep writing weekly or biweekly summaries of what's happening... I would need community help though as this took a spectacular number of spoons.
I want to keep trying though because I think many people have muted a ton of these topics on social media because they're rightfully exhausted and stressed out, and I would like to be a low stress source of information that we can't ignore.
💙 as usual this written from personal experience as well as todays news… BBT you have a way of communicating your message that informs as well as teaches those who don’t understand the issues… be strong 💪🏼 people like you I’d stand for and next to until my death if needed…
🫂🌈🫶🏼🖖✊🏼
Thank you Rick, that’s incredibly kind! I want to communicate the news in a way that’s accurate and helpful but (hopefully) not too taxing on people’s nervous systems.
I want to make it accessible so those “on the other side” might consider reading and learning about another point of view.
Every heart or mind changed is worth the effort!
Thank you for this and for taking the time to be accurate and not just blast out the usual clickbait headlines. You mention the need to seek and support Independant truthful journalists and I would love it if you made some recommendations. I'm growing weary of reading articles that are clearly pushing agendas or needlessly biased to one side or another. The middle ground seems like a vast, open plain with no one in it anymore.
I’m trying to fill that vast open plain but it is tricky these days. Most platforms are designed to reward the most click-baity content … so people gravitate towards it whether they mean to or not.
Dan Rather is here and does great work. There’s also Wonkette, Erin Reed, Robert Reich, Jessica Valenti & Nick Tsergas.
Will think of more and re-visit!
Lovely piece. Very well-spoken and incredibly necessary.
Thank you for reading Spencer.
You're very welcome! :D
I attempted to call the ADA today to get advice on my RA being declined for my position…the phone number at the ADA has been disconnected. I haven’t seen this anywhere in the media. But I’ve felt this whole time those of us with LC are protected from discrimination because of the ADA, well not if they shut off their funding & their phones
Hi Colleen… what number were you calling? I’ve asked people to try on a few of my socials and they’re all reporting that it’s working (I can’t test it from Canada). But I think for now it’s ok!
Labour's plan actually tells you "spend at least 35 hours every week looking for work". But not one "job hirer" has even acknowledged the job application filed. Are these jobs actual "puffs" to get your data to sell on? Salaries are the same amount as they were in 2004. They do not cover costs of rent, utilities, and transport never mind food, a non-essential item on the budget.
These 'plans' never seem to be designed to actually help people, just to help politicians, capitalism and/or employers. It's deeply disheartening.
NOW we have to worry about SSDI checks not going out. Musk seized the treasury department.
WOW!! That was REALLY well written. What is going on in the U.S.A. today is very scary. I don't believe it's anywhere near freedom and America has forgotten what it stands for. It's VERY VERY SAD!!! I wanted to answer your questions so here goes....
1. How are you protecting your health and nervous system right now?
* I post from time to time because even though I have ABSOLUTELY NO doubt that it bothers my health, I know that it also bothers alot of others. Posting is VERY small and due to technical issues is often impossible for me on some platforms. It's important to me that everyone know that they are not alone in this fight, so I can't act like they are. We each are a part of We The People and our voices matter.
2. Are you struggling with how much bad news is out there?
* Absolutely!!! I can't even read some of the things posted because I know it will bother me. Sometimes, I simply stick to art but again...I can't do that ALL of the time because I feel VERY strongly that EVERYONE matters. I am only ONE person out of MANY. Who am I to stay silent?
3. Do you have a support network or a safety plan in place?
* Online, yes. Offline, not much of one. I've gone no contact with most of my family and am belittled, ignored by the society I live in but I DO live in the South. Due to that, I shouldn't be surprised, yet at times, I still am.
4. What are you doing to try and help others?
* I post on Disabled rights, Epilepsy among other things, Bi rights, Trans rights, African American rights, Womens rights, etc.
* I reply to posts trying to stand up for the people when I am in the health to do so. Even when I get multiple technical issues, I STILL post to let others know that they aren't alone.
* I also will bluntly stand up for what is right when someone brings it up in person.
* I try to ignore Trump because I honestly believe he is unworthy of my hate. I feel sorry for him and think he is mentally ill of which he would deny but just how many people who are mentally ill deny it?
* What REALLY makes me sad is knowing that my family is ok with my living in the U.S.A. right now because the U.S.A. is nolonger worthy of my living here. I know there ARE some good people to and I can't ignore that fact but I do not believe that it's simply the Presidents fault for the actions going on today. I think the U.S.A. is sick and many won't acknowledge it in order to get better. I believe that what's going on today is a repeat of what went on in 1692 Salem when people followed one another. Only years later did they truly know their actions were 100% wrong. Today may not be EXACTLY the same as that but history is repeating itself due to what we did not learn from that experience and others. That would include the event you mentioned of the Nazi's. My heat breaks wondering when will people learn?
I echo all of the sentiments here 💜
One thing I want to add is that this is also a comprehensive historical record that needs to be preserved. Future generations will need accurate narratives. I believe you have also captured the spirit and tenacity of this community during our unprecedented times.
I really appreciate you writing this. I haven’t been able to read the entire thing yet due to emotional overwhelm, but I plan to come back to it. I do want to mention that the messaging of the protest sign “love trumps hate” is very ambiguous. I realize this is intended as a sign against fascism, however, it can be read in the opposite way simply by adding the personal pronoun at the beginning. I would urge demonstrators to avoid using this signage.
Hi Joanna - thank you for commenting. I'm sorry but I'm not sure I understand why the personal pronoun makes it ambiguous? I'm sure I'm missing something obvious but if you could let me know I would appreciate it.
Thanks for asking for clarification. The sign is ambiguous as is. Adding the pronoun clarifies that it can also be interpreted as “I love Trump’s hate” - in support of Trump. It can also be seen as a request or exhortation to love Trump’s hate. I realize this is a nuance but it comes up for me every time I see the sign. It feels like the sign carries this ambiguously pro-Trump interpretation.
Hope that helps!
That does help! Thank you … I didn’t even notice the “I”. My brain must have completely glossed over it and I really appreciate you pointing it out.