There's something we don't do in politics that I think we can do more of, and that's bringing in our own humanity.
It's telling more of our own stories. It's being emotional.
It's creating solidarity, connection, and community. Supporting each other intentionally. Creating the space for all of that.
It's a different kind of a thing, but I think it's achievable.
I live it already by asking for help on social media... and by sharing some of my struggles.
In this culture of rugged individualism, we don't often put our vulnerabilities out front. We hide them.
We're going to need to get a little more vulnerable though. I think we're going to need to do more sharing and more stories. More support, too.
The last few days I've done private posts on some of my own struggles. I get a little pushback because I think we're not used to this kind of sharing in political action.
But we're not planning normal political work.
And we're not dealing with normal politics.
We're facing fascism.
I got trained as a life coach and I've done some spiritual work. Makes me a little abby-normal for someone to try and lead what I hope could be a transformation in politics and in the country... if we can build it big enough.
It comes at a cost.
We're going to have to invest in it. We're going to have to get uncomfortable. We're going to have to try new things.
The other cost of course is giving in to fascism. So there's that.
Where I live in Iowa, they're already coming for LGBTQ+ people. They've weakened child labor laws. Women's health is going out the door. School vouchers are moving public money to private schools even in this very rural state without very many private schools. That's after they basically got rid of public health.
People I know are having serious talks about moving out of Iowa because it's dangerous for their family. One of my people here on Facebook is leaving Tennessee for the same reasons.
Is that going to be the future we want to spread? Seriously?
I don't have all the answers.
I *do* have options for ways forward. We do. This organization.
I also have some struggles while I'm trying to help make this happen. Lots of us are struggling. Again, this is an unprecedented time.
I’m going to share some of my struggles from time to time. That’s not going to resonate with everyone. That's okay.
Some people are going to fall away in all of this.
This is one of the biggest crises this country has faced, coming into the biggest crisis humanity has ever faced.
It's not going to go very well.
We can fight and we can work for transformation in the midst of it... or we can try and hold on to a world that doesn't exist anymore.
One of those options isn't viable.
Some of the people with privilege and insulation will get to keep some of their comfort, for a while. I'm not even talking about the super rich. As things intensify, even that will get challenged.
Perhaps big change and big action won't happen until more people feel more pain. I'd like to think we could get going on it now, though.
I'm creating space for getting into how we can do transformation from here forward. Building on what's already been done and taking it to new levels.
That's what I can bring.
To that end, we've got six weeks of events scheduled to get started.
You can join us somewhere in there if you're interested. You can support this work if you're interested.
I'm not here to be a court jester, though. I'm not here to entertain and to make everyone feel good.
I'm here to help in real, deep, substantive ways. In unprecedented ways. For unprecedented times.
And we're not going to do it like a line in Ocean's 11: "You're either in or you're out."
No.... we'll hold the door open and keep the lights on.
In any crisis, there are always people who come running at the last minute. We're going to need to be ready for that.
The worse this all gets, the more people will get engaged. Maybe. If they're not in raw survival.
But we have a better shot at survival, thriving, and flourishing if we bring more people together to fight for it.
"People are a resource." - Negan
Thanks for reading. Join an online event if you can. Volunteer here.
Be very well.
We will find ways through, and we will make it better.
Damn straight.
In the Face of Fascism, We'll Need To Do Things Differently
Hmm...I signed up for a Zoom call (setting up an Event Brite password), got the message that I'd get a confirmation email, left a comment and checked for the email. I don't find it! Probably just a glitch, but I do want to make sure that I get the Zoom link! Help!
Ooh, this is VERY strange. See my comment below. It is the only comment that I see. When I originally signed up for the Zoom call, I must have been in another thread--because there was already a comment posted, which you had replied to. But I don't see those comments or mine--and I still haven't received the confirmation email. I must be in a loop somewhere!!!