I know for many of my readers, friends, and community members, this point in our nation’s history can feel pretty hopeless. To witness this nation’s current president wield their power, swatting at those clawing to be accepted in a country that once welcomed those that were not like us. To attempt to snuff out organizations that are desperately trying to revive this mishandled planet that we live on. To proclaim that money can indeed buy you a seat at the table, regardless of ethics or qualification. I would implore those that felt the familiar pit in their stomach rekindled again from four years ago to release that wild flame of fear from your body. Cry out to the sky, stomp your feet, scream until your abdomen cannot sustain the note any longer. Let it linger in the space until the sound of silence resumes. Let the tears roll down your cheeks, eyes puffy and red, until they have dried on their final resting place. Let the waves of worry, of fear, of utter bewilderment wash over you, waves of stomach acid churning inside, skin vibrating with tension, teeth bared, lip curled to a snarl. Let your mantras and affirmations tap the shoulder of your troubled mind, embrace the terse muscles until they unclench, feel the internal tide lull. Let your determined spirit tilt your chin up and ears envelope it’s message: we are not going anywhere.

Oppressors succeed when the oppressed stay silent, when we stay removed and drowned in our pain and despair. But they cannot take hope, the great kindling that sparks action and change. Vulnerable and marginalized communities will flounder without organized support from all of us. Funding of environmental and mutual aid groups will run dry unless we organize and lend a hand. I do believe that history is repetitive, and that we should be taking a leaf from the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s book. Let us stand back up, and firmly grasp our neighbor’s hand, for now is when our solidarity and support are needed most. Let us show our neighbors and community that it does not matter our skin color, country of origin, economic status, gender, or zip code – we are in this together.