You Belong Here

Stretch

To say this week has been eventful would be the understatement of the year. Many people are already feeling the stress, havoc, and chaos of this new administration.

In less than a week:

• The new administration declared there are only two genders in the United States: male and female, continuing the attack on other genders.

• Over 1,500 January 6th insurrectionists, whether they have served time or are currently serving time, have been pardoned for their actions.

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun raids to round up undocumented immigrants, with a heavy presence in sanctuary cities like Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, and more.

• The administration is attempting to strip birthright citizenship from children of undocumented persons.

• The Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1965 has been revoked, placing the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at risk.

• All federal DEI practitioners have been placed on administrative leave.

• A call has gone out from the new administration requiring federal employees to root out and report any “covert” DEI programming in federal agencies.

• The U.S. military has been deployed to the southern border of the United States after the president declared migration an invasion.

• The U.S. Refugee Admission Program has been suspended, pending a 90-day review from the Department of Homeland Security.

And these are just the events that made the news. For a full rundown of everything that has happened this week, I encourage you to read this comprehensive summary from the Associated Press.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, scared, unsure of the future, or any other range of emotions, remember that your feelings are completely valid. You are not alone.

It’s also important to understand a key tactic this president uses time and time again: sowing chaos and division to keep everyone distracted. His administration does this with great intentionality. They know that if you’re inundated with trying to process different orders and legislation, it becomes harder to sort out which actions are more benign and which have grave consequences for different groups of people.

They want you to remain confused, scared, and enraged because most of us naturally turn our attention to what is out of alignment with our values. By speaking out and focusing on those things, we become distracted enough for them to inflict greater harm. They want to exhaust you, deplete you, and rob you of hope—because then it’s easier for this oligarchy to rule.

So, what is the best thing you can do in the face of this daunting environment? Here are a few suggestions:

• Pick a specific cause: Focus on issues that align with your values. You don’t have to tackle everything. Narrowing your focus helps you channel your energy effectively.

• Curate your information wisely: Identify a few reliable organizations, activists, or newsletters that share actionable and digestible updates.

• Prioritize depth over breadth: Spend time understanding one issue deeply rather than skimming everything.

• Engage locally: Start small by supporting local initiatives or communities. Local work often feels more tangible and can have a direct impact.

• Connect with like-minded people: Join groups or communities where you can share the load and brainstorm solutions together. Being part of a collective can reduce feelings of isolation and overwhelm.

• Practice self-compassion: You don’t need to know or do everything to make a difference. Rest and self-care are essential parts of long-term activism. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed, these are a few places you can start.

In times like this, it can be easy to lose hope and heart. But you, dear reader, have so much of both. I believe, down to my bones, that if we recognize this administration for the chaos it is, we can refocus ourselves on the greater picture: continuing to build the world we want to see.

Keep heart. ❤️

Always,
Jaya

Join the DEI Backlash Survivors Group

Now, more than ever, I know this space is deeply needed. The brainchild of Dr. Heliana Ramirez, the DEI Backlash Survivors Group is a 10-week closed cohort program that focuses on supporting BIPOC individuals who have been in a formal or informal DEI role.

Check out the flyer below and contact Dr. Ramirez if you are interested in joining; scholarships are available.

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