You Belong Here

In this week’s chaos:

• Tourists, naturalized citizens, U.S.-born citizens, and political activists are being detained by ICE, for weeks at a time.

• The Department of Education is being dismantled via executive order

• Elon Musk has gained access to sensitive files and classified military information

• The military is purging all non-white, cis gender, heteronormative men from their records, websites, and history.

• All Tesla Cybertrucks are being recalled due to car literally falling apart while driving.

• I could keep going, but I won’t.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone.

And that sense of overwhelm is by design. It is fully intentional on the part of the current administration, which seeks to keep us so distracted and pulled in multiple directions that they’re allowed to continue down this destructive path.

This week, I've had conversations with individuals who feel overwhelmed by the inundation of negative news.

I’m here to remind you: You are more powerful than you think you are.

When things that are happening feel overwhelming or against your values, it's completely natural to experience frustration, worry, or even despair. I've been there too. But throughout history, it's often during these challenging moments that ordinary people have found extraordinary courage to stand up for what they believe in. You are part of that moment now.

Let’s explore a few ways you can reclaim your agency.

Starting From Where You Are

First, take a deep breath. You don't need to be a seasoned activist or have a law degree to make a difference. Your lived experience and authentic concern are powerful starting points. Whether you're feeling angry, scared, or simply determined to protect what matters to you, those feelings can fuel meaningful action when channeled thoughtfully.

Understanding Your Rights First

Knowledge truly is power, especially when you're feeling powerless:

• The First Amendment isn't just a legal concept—it's your personal shield for speaking truth, gathering with others who share your concerns, and demanding attention from those in power

• FOIA requests might seem bureaucratic, but they've unveiled countless hidden truths that changed public conversation

• Whistleblower protections exist because brave individuals have historically stood up when they witnessed wrongdoing

These are just a few ways you are able to exercise your rights in speaking your mind.

Finding Your Community

None of us is meant to face these challenges alone. But its also far easier than we believe to feel isolated. You can combat that feeling by doing a few things:

• Look for local groups where you can share not just strategies but also the emotional weight of advocacy

• Digital platforms like Signal or Discord aren't just tools—they're virtual living rooms where relationships form that sustain movements that aren’t owned by companies complicit in this administration’s agenda like Meta

• Mutual aid networks demonstrate that we can care for each other even when systems fail us

Remember that finding your people is both strategically powerful and personally healing

Caring for Yourself and Others

This journey is demanding, and your well-being matters. So, how can you take care of yourself right now? Here are a few ways:

• Notice when you're approaching burnout and give yourself permission to rest

• Create spaces where people can be vulnerable about their fears and hopes

• Celebrate small victories, especially when larger ones seem distant

• Remember that joy and community building are themselves forms of resistance

Engaging Systems While Preserving Your Spirit

When engaging with established power structures:

• Prepare emotionally before contacting representatives or attending confrontational meetings

• Bring friends to difficult encounters for moral support

• Know that even when your voice seems ignored, you're creating a record and building momentum

• Find strength in the stories of those who persisted through similar challenges before you

Holding onto Hope

Throughout American history, from abolitionists to suffragists to civil rights activists, people have faced what seems like immovable obstacles. Yet, they have eventually prevailed through persistent, strategic advocacy. Their stories remind us that what seems impossible today may become our reality tomorrow with enough collective effort.

The work of advocating for a better world isn't just about what you're fighting against—it's about bringing to life the community and country you know is possible. Your voice, your story, and your persistence matter more than you might realize, especially when the path seems darkest.

Remember that you're not alone in this journey. Across the country, countless others share your concerns and are finding their own ways to stand up for their values. Together, you're writing the next chapter of our shared story.

I’m standing with you now and for all the days that follow. ❤️

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