So great to read you, Aidan. I've been in a very similar position myself and have a similar list. Something my partner and I have added to our routine is at the end of the day, asking ourselves, "What did you do for liberal democracy today?" That check-in does a few things: it motivates us to make our calls and do our activism actions when we don't feel like it...but it also helps us see the things that aren't always obvious, like dying our hair in rainbow colors or promoting a new book about queer parenting or encouraging other activists who are more in the front lines or supporting independent media (yesterday I decided to become a subscriber to Marc Elias' Democracy Docket). And something else I saw on Jessica Craven's Substack, Chop Wood Carry Water, was a study of Americans who oppose this administration but who aren't yet involved in the resistance. One of the barriers? "Nobody asked me." So I've added into my list phoning 10 friends the week before a protest happens to ask them to come. Thanks so much for posting...it helps me feel less alone!
This makes me feel so much less alone and what great ideas! The "nobody asked me" is a huge one. I think people forget that it's hard to generate ideas on your own and that sometimes you need that little extra nudge. I'm so glad you shared and it gave me a little extra nudge too!
Thank you for sharing! I have questioned my push for boundaries and balancing hope/ joy with this devastating work… but I know I will burn out (again) otherwise. Thank you for affirming that I’m not alone, and affirming that I don’t have to live in the misery 24/7 to make a difference.
💜 I'm a LatinX poet from Texas, and your shares bring hope, kindness, and joy regularly, my friend. Thank you to you and to Casey for being caring and concerned citizens, activists, and advocates. Activism will not look the same on every person because every person is different, and that is not just ok but a relief. We need Diversity just as much as every other community in Nature. A highlight of my day and week was watching Joy-Ann Reid's live video chat here this morning with Ava DuVernay. Joy confirms in the video that she just joined Substack, and I'm so happy for that because her work also brings hope, kindness, and joy along with historic reminders of the resilience and beauty that resides in our history alongside all of our country's darkest chapters. We certainly are in one now, and we'll need the strength and compassion of a caring and supportive community to rise to the occasion of meeting this moral moment. The Civil Rights Movement never ended. We are authoring its next legacies now, together.
Kris, thank you so, so much for these words. I couldn't agree with them more. I think that the more we can remind each other that we are all working for a common goal, even if it's in different ways, the better. We are all on the side of progress and it's our diversity that is our strength even if at times it makes it harder to see the similarities. Thank you again, for sharing your words and for being here.
You are very welcome. We're stronger together, and it's lovely to share in each other's joy. I know I share often, but I will again today because it's still so true, and extends beyond differences in gender but speaks to differences within the wider community of humanists as well: "We want a world where boys can feel, girls can lead, and the rest of us can not only exist but thrive. This is not about erasing men and women but rather acknowledging that man and woman are two of many - stars in a constellation that do not compete but amplify one another’s shine." ~ Alok
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Definitely needed to read this. Thank you.
I definitely needed to write it and I'm so glad it helped. <3
So great to read you, Aidan. I've been in a very similar position myself and have a similar list. Something my partner and I have added to our routine is at the end of the day, asking ourselves, "What did you do for liberal democracy today?" That check-in does a few things: it motivates us to make our calls and do our activism actions when we don't feel like it...but it also helps us see the things that aren't always obvious, like dying our hair in rainbow colors or promoting a new book about queer parenting or encouraging other activists who are more in the front lines or supporting independent media (yesterday I decided to become a subscriber to Marc Elias' Democracy Docket). And something else I saw on Jessica Craven's Substack, Chop Wood Carry Water, was a study of Americans who oppose this administration but who aren't yet involved in the resistance. One of the barriers? "Nobody asked me." So I've added into my list phoning 10 friends the week before a protest happens to ask them to come. Thanks so much for posting...it helps me feel less alone!
This makes me feel so much less alone and what great ideas! The "nobody asked me" is a huge one. I think people forget that it's hard to generate ideas on your own and that sometimes you need that little extra nudge. I'm so glad you shared and it gave me a little extra nudge too!
Thanks to you Aidan! Keep writing, keep hoping. You are doing a good things and we all are the better for it.
Thank you for sharing! I have questioned my push for boundaries and balancing hope/ joy with this devastating work… but I know I will burn out (again) otherwise. Thank you for affirming that I’m not alone, and affirming that I don’t have to live in the misery 24/7 to make a difference.
💜 I'm a LatinX poet from Texas, and your shares bring hope, kindness, and joy regularly, my friend. Thank you to you and to Casey for being caring and concerned citizens, activists, and advocates. Activism will not look the same on every person because every person is different, and that is not just ok but a relief. We need Diversity just as much as every other community in Nature. A highlight of my day and week was watching Joy-Ann Reid's live video chat here this morning with Ava DuVernay. Joy confirms in the video that she just joined Substack, and I'm so happy for that because her work also brings hope, kindness, and joy along with historic reminders of the resilience and beauty that resides in our history alongside all of our country's darkest chapters. We certainly are in one now, and we'll need the strength and compassion of a caring and supportive community to rise to the occasion of meeting this moral moment. The Civil Rights Movement never ended. We are authoring its next legacies now, together.
"United we stand, divided we fall." ~ Aesop
Kris, thank you so, so much for these words. I couldn't agree with them more. I think that the more we can remind each other that we are all working for a common goal, even if it's in different ways, the better. We are all on the side of progress and it's our diversity that is our strength even if at times it makes it harder to see the similarities. Thank you again, for sharing your words and for being here.
You are very welcome. We're stronger together, and it's lovely to share in each other's joy. I know I share often, but I will again today because it's still so true, and extends beyond differences in gender but speaks to differences within the wider community of humanists as well: "We want a world where boys can feel, girls can lead, and the rest of us can not only exist but thrive. This is not about erasing men and women but rather acknowledging that man and woman are two of many - stars in a constellation that do not compete but amplify one another’s shine." ~ Alok
Some very good suggestions here, for things we can all do to make a difference.
Thank you Janis, I'm glad you like them!