I was supposed to put up Final File but I’ve been grieving instead. I wrote this as an offering. I hope it helps. Someone also asked me to put together a reading list, I’m working on that too.
First things first: everyone is accountable for their choices and their vote. Don’t infantilize. Resist the urge to feel bad for or talk down to or condescend towards people who knowingly voted for your annihilation. Offering people a trap door means they will take it, you’re doing the work for them. I don’t care if you believe Trump voters are in a cult or are brainwashed—they’re laughing at you having pity on them. Cut it out.
Listen to people who don’t agree with you, not people who don’t believe you’re a human being that doesn’t deserve rights.
Fighting about civil rights is a smoke screen. We all deserve them. It’s our inalienable right. Act like it.
Don’t blame the Democrats for not being better at convincing people to join their campaign. People know what is at stake. They don’t care. Internalize that. Blaming the Democrats, who were all-in on calling that man a fascist and a threat to democracy and in the days since have done nothing to defend and protect said democracy and ushered us all toward our own slaughter is pointless. Ask them to stand up for us. Demand that they come through.
It was racism and misogynoir. Let’s get serious. Today. We can talk about the other things but until we start telling the truth about racism underwriting everything in this country people will continue to spin their wheels and look under rocks for explanations that don’t make sense. Them people don’t care about genocides, that man is dehumanizing them and they’re going with it because they think he’s being funny. Get serious.
69 million people voted for Harris. That’s a lot of people. That’s a lot of power. Everyone isn’t a suspect. A lot of people are in it with you.
Like it or not, we are ALL in this together.
Politicians are (for now) elected officials. They work for you. Don’t be afraid to demand shit. Stop ceding power to folks who only have it because you gave it to them. If they don’t listen, become ungovernable until they do.
Get clear about the difference between what’s legal and what’s moral. Find the people who share your morals and tap in with them. Let them be your gut check. You might be surprised by who you find.
Don’t comply in advance. It’s only a foregone conclusion because you’ve agreed to it. Today, we still have our shit. Are we gonna keep it? That’s up to us.
All power to the people—define your community, figure out a plan. Keep your head on a swivel.
As always. Stay safe, stay vigilant, stay visible. And tell the truth.
Damn, the truth of this both hurts and feels so good to have it all named.