YESSSS! And we have to remember that the people who give permits are the same ones who call economic violence against poor people "capitalism" while labeling peace-filled demonstrations against the status quo "violent." For the past century, the brutal right has been working quietly, behind the scenes, methodically cementing fascist white Christian nationalism, zionism and corporate statehood into U.S. systems. It's time for those of us who believe in human rights to do the hard work of being strategic instead of performative.
I just blew out an expansive breath. THIS ricocheted through my body picking up my sentiment and my ideology and hit my nervous system like a shock!!
Yes.
To all of this.
CHANGE starts with small, mundane seeming tasks in your own damn neighborhood. Hell it starts where you shop, how you clean, and definitely the conversations you’re having in restaurants, PTA meetings, and after church. We are the damn change. It must be in our everyday decisions and actions.
You want different, fucking make different decisions.
I'm loving this idea of parallel systems rather than outrage protests which feel like community, but often really aren't and - as you pointed out - don't generally change anything. I'm stepping up locally via joining local groups that have a long history of actually helping people in our area. Spending time volunteering to care for people in need seems a more effective way to "be a helper" (per Mr. Rogers) than waving a sign in a protest.
I reposted, because I’ve marched at more marches than I can remember. And it often feels like the only thing you CAN actively do to help effect change. You wrote this piece perfectly. And this is the message that I need everyone in my life to hear and actively participate in the resistance this way.
This time is different, however. Our country, our infrastructure, everything was built on SLAVERY. We still rely on slave labor. It is the cornerstone of our existence. I live 30 yards from a $1mil property. That house was going up SO quickly until the orange was swarn in. I have seen maybe three people at the site since then, and there is NO work being done. It’s frozen in time. As are other construction sites around me. These Fascists will not make it through this. To this day, we rely on the essential services of those who work for slave wages i.e. migrants.
Yes we rely on immigrants AND also yes, the entirety of the U.S. needs to start treating them like humans rather than cheap labor. I hope you're right about fascists not making it through this, and I hope what is on the other side is INFINITELY more humane.
Even the oligarchs depend on this cheap labor. And they will not be able to replace that cheap labor with their base. These raid will negatively impact everyone. Who picks our food? Who loads lumber at lumber yards? Who washes dishes, cleans hotels? It will quickly effect their bottom line. It is going to SUCK for us all. But they will not be immune.
I wonder if some protests (not all) are more for the protesters. It’s like church for the progressives. Get together, get inspired. To outsiders, it’s just a group of people collectively having feelings. But, I saw folks in LA blocked a freeway - maybe that is good trouble worth making?
Anyway, yes. Connection and consistent, mundane, quiet work is fundamental. Therapists know that in therapy, the relationship is what heals, and similarly our connections with one another will be what keeps us going and makes change.
Yes all well said, Tara. The protests definitely serve a purpose of connectivity - which is good! - yet increasingly not much actual change (and at least from a federal standpoint, I would hazard a guess ZERO change with current administration, *unless* they are already going to make that change for whatever reason and strategically throw us a bone).
As someone who has also protested a lot while living in DC and organized 3 protests in GA, this was a brutal read, but I 100% see your point.
I'm never not going to be a fan of protesting. It is important. And also, it boosts moral and combats propaganda from mainstream media.
Nothing makes you hear the voices of the people louder than being in a crowd of 300,000 of them.
Media has long been creating a distorted version of America and hoping we'll aspire to become it.
The real America is significantly different and it's via protesting that I know this with 100% certainty.
But I feel exactly what you're saying. And in 2025, I would probably only organize a protesting that was called "bring back the guillotine."
We need a new phase of activism that sucker punches the billionaires. I certainly think boycotting is our most powerful tool. If we had a boycotting revolution, we could topple the system better than taking to the streets.
YESSSS! And we have to remember that the people who give permits are the same ones who call economic violence against poor people "capitalism" while labeling peace-filled demonstrations against the status quo "violent." For the past century, the brutal right has been working quietly, behind the scenes, methodically cementing fascist white Christian nationalism, zionism and corporate statehood into U.S. systems. It's time for those of us who believe in human rights to do the hard work of being strategic instead of performative.
Hear hear, Kay!!
Welcome to the RESISTANCE! I will be part of the network. My old, white lady @$$ will shield whoever needs it from these fascist monsters.
More of this please!
I just blew out an expansive breath. THIS ricocheted through my body picking up my sentiment and my ideology and hit my nervous system like a shock!!
Yes.
To all of this.
CHANGE starts with small, mundane seeming tasks in your own damn neighborhood. Hell it starts where you shop, how you clean, and definitely the conversations you’re having in restaurants, PTA meetings, and after church. We are the damn change. It must be in our everyday decisions and actions.
You want different, fucking make different decisions.
And start doing it now.
Yes, Shanyn!
I'm loving this idea of parallel systems rather than outrage protests which feel like community, but often really aren't and - as you pointed out - don't generally change anything. I'm stepping up locally via joining local groups that have a long history of actually helping people in our area. Spending time volunteering to care for people in need seems a more effective way to "be a helper" (per Mr. Rogers) than waving a sign in a protest.
YES!!
Finally, someone is saying the quiet part out loud. I am motivated for the first time in a long time.
I'm glad!
I reposted, because I’ve marched at more marches than I can remember. And it often feels like the only thing you CAN actively do to help effect change. You wrote this piece perfectly. And this is the message that I need everyone in my life to hear and actively participate in the resistance this way.
Thank you, Yari!
Finally, someone is saying the right stuff! Yes!
This time is different, however. Our country, our infrastructure, everything was built on SLAVERY. We still rely on slave labor. It is the cornerstone of our existence. I live 30 yards from a $1mil property. That house was going up SO quickly until the orange was swarn in. I have seen maybe three people at the site since then, and there is NO work being done. It’s frozen in time. As are other construction sites around me. These Fascists will not make it through this. To this day, we rely on the essential services of those who work for slave wages i.e. migrants.
Yes we rely on immigrants AND also yes, the entirety of the U.S. needs to start treating them like humans rather than cheap labor. I hope you're right about fascists not making it through this, and I hope what is on the other side is INFINITELY more humane.
Even the oligarchs depend on this cheap labor. And they will not be able to replace that cheap labor with their base. These raid will negatively impact everyone. Who picks our food? Who loads lumber at lumber yards? Who washes dishes, cleans hotels? It will quickly effect their bottom line. It is going to SUCK for us all. But they will not be immune.
I wonder if some protests (not all) are more for the protesters. It’s like church for the progressives. Get together, get inspired. To outsiders, it’s just a group of people collectively having feelings. But, I saw folks in LA blocked a freeway - maybe that is good trouble worth making?
Anyway, yes. Connection and consistent, mundane, quiet work is fundamental. Therapists know that in therapy, the relationship is what heals, and similarly our connections with one another will be what keeps us going and makes change.
Yes all well said, Tara. The protests definitely serve a purpose of connectivity - which is good! - yet increasingly not much actual change (and at least from a federal standpoint, I would hazard a guess ZERO change with current administration, *unless* they are already going to make that change for whatever reason and strategically throw us a bone).
This article is a cannon event for me, thank you 🥹👏
https://brentabrahamson1.substack.com/p/fox-and-phonies-are-yellow?r=3tcdr4
Very persuasive. I think in addition to silence we need strategic speech. I posted this today and I would like opinions. Thanks.
Will check it out soon!
Exactly fucking this
This makes total sense 👍
This was a very clarifying read. Thank you, Jo!
I’m glad, Heath!
Thank you 🙏
🖤
As someone who has also protested a lot while living in DC and organized 3 protests in GA, this was a brutal read, but I 100% see your point.
I'm never not going to be a fan of protesting. It is important. And also, it boosts moral and combats propaganda from mainstream media.
Nothing makes you hear the voices of the people louder than being in a crowd of 300,000 of them.
Media has long been creating a distorted version of America and hoping we'll aspire to become it.
The real America is significantly different and it's via protesting that I know this with 100% certainty.
But I feel exactly what you're saying. And in 2025, I would probably only organize a protesting that was called "bring back the guillotine."
We need a new phase of activism that sucker punches the billionaires. I certainly think boycotting is our most powerful tool. If we had a boycotting revolution, we could topple the system better than taking to the streets.