Final evening, my sister texted, “I simply went to CoJ to see for those who 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 rather more.
However right this moment, 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. Individuals are afraid of what will occur over the subsequent few days, weeks, months and years; many teams are feeling threatened and attacked.
I’d prefer to say 4 issues.
First, we’re all nonetheless right here. My coronary heart charge calms once I remind myself that Michelle and Barack Obama are combating for good, Kamala Harris headed straight to L.A. to assist fireplace 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 mates, 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 properly. “Though my coronary heart is damaged that she misplaced the election, and I used to be constantly enraged by the methods sexism and racism made all the pieces more durable for her, one thing surprising occurred to me on the job: I witnessed Harris’ affect, and it started to vary me,” wrote Azza Cohen, Kamala Harris’s videographer. Cohen filmed a whole bunch of clips of Harris encouraging younger folks to imagine in themselves — particularly ladies. “The vp would say, ‘Let me hear you say, “I’m a pacesetter,”‘ and even the youngest ladies would say it again.”
Second, preserve your spirits up! “The Trump folks 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 simply turn into overwhelmed.” So, take deep breaths and preserve placing one foot in entrance of the opposite. Let your love for folks offer you stamina.
Third, know your rights, and share that data with those that may have it. For instance, right here’s a transparent listing of immigrant rights, together with “you will have the appropriate to stay silent,” “you don’t must open your door to anybody except they present you a warrant signed by a decide,” and “you will have the appropriate to talk to a lawyer.” Please share different factsheets within the feedback part, you probably have them.
Fourth, we shall be organizing Cup of Jo / Huge Salad volunteering days, and we might love so that you can be a part of us in particular person! 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. Combating for LGBTQ+ rights. Defending entry to ladies’s well being facilities. Please keep tuned for sign-up info.
Sending a lot like to anybody who wants it. What would you add? How are you feeling? Please share beneath. xoxoxo
P.S. There may be good on this world, and an nervousness trick that works.
(Photograph of Maroon Bell Path by Aaron Thomas/Stocksy.)