JULY 2024
Inthisspace,wegroundedourselvesinconversations aboutthecraftoforganizing.Purposecanpreempt despair,andasensethatweknowwhatweneedtodo canhelpgroundus.Thatisthespiritinwhichwewrote LetThisRadicalizeYou:OrganizingandtheRevolutionof ReciprocalCare(2023).Wewantedtocreatearesource thatwewishedhadexistedforusearlyinourwork,and wewantedtoaccompanyneworganizersintheirown practice.Wewantedtoconveythatwetrusttheir creativity,andtohelpthemengagewithideasthatmight sparktheirimaginations,enhancetheiranalysis,orhelp themlearntobegentlewiththemselvesandothers.
Ibelieveourtimewiththecohortembodiedthepurpose ofLetThisRadicalizeYou,whilealsogivingusthe opportunitytolearnfromacaring,clever,and
compassionategroupofyoungpeople.Eachmemberof thecohortisonajourneythathasimpartedlessons,and likeanygoodorganizer,theyaresteadilydeconsolidatingtheirknowledge.Wearesogratefulforour timewiththeseyoungpeople,forthelessonsthey shared,andforthewordssomeofthemaresharinghere, intheirownletterstoneworganizers.
FromRenata’slovingdescriptionofdisabilityjusticein actiontoGabbi’sreminderthat“itistheultimategiftto existonthisplanet,rightnow,withthepeoplewelove andco-strugglewith,”thiszineisfullofgems.Wewantto thankthecohortparticipantswhoacceptedour invitationtosharetheirthoughts,sothatothersmight benefitfromtheirexperienceandinsight.Inorganizing, weareconstantlypushingforward,whilealsoreaching backtohelpnewpeopletothefront.Wearealways learning,alwaysteaching,andalwaysbroadeningabody ofcollectiveknowledgeandunderstandingthatisnot meanttobeowned,butshared.Maywethrivetogether inthatspaceofgrowthandcollaboration,whichis alwaysunderconstruction.
InSolidarity, KellyHayes
college’smainadministrativebuilding,demanding thattheadministrationcallforanimmediateand permanentceasefireinPalestine.Duringthissit-in, wecreatedacommunityspacethatIneverimagined waspossible.Weworemaskstogether,worked together,playedBoliviangamestogether,cried together,livedtogether.Thisreminderofcommunity meanstheworldtome.Myorganizingoncampus startedaroundorganizingforCOVIDprotections,and Ioftenfelt/feelsoaloneintheseefforts.Ihaveoften beensingledoutandalienatedformyorganizing aroundCOVID.OrganizingforPalestinehascreated thelargestmaskedspaceIhavebeeninandseenin severalyears.OrganizingforPalestinehasaffirmed mylifeasadisabledpersoninwaysIdidnotexpect.I havebeenreflectingalotonmyjourneyasan organizerlately,andIoftencomebacktothis:what wearedoingiscreatinglife-affirmingspaces.Weare affirminglifeinaworldrifewithdeath-making institutions.
There’smuchIhaveyettolearnaboutorganizing.But Iknowthathoweversmallorintangibleourresults mayseem,thecommunitybuildingandlifeaffirming wedoisoftenlargebeyondwords.Ilearnalotfrom abolitionistanddisabilityjusticeorganizingandthe
notionthatwesurvivetogether.Wekeepeachother alive,bothliterallyandfiguratively.Ioftenthinkabout thewordsBarbaraChristiansaidtoAudreLorde:“Can Isayagainhowaliveyourbeingalivemakesme feel!!?!”Thisiswhatorganizingistome,andIhopeit mayinformyourorganizingtoo.
Iamoftensoangrythatsomanyofusorganizing againstdeath-makersarenotallowednorgiventhe spacetogrieveandbeangryandshoutandyelland cryandsobwithoutitbeingweaponizedagainstus. Toooftenwearediscreditedforgrievingandbeing publiclyandvisiblyangry.Weareoftensotired.We deservetobeweak.Wedeservetobeheld.Mynew comrades,Ihopeyou’llallowyourselftobeweak.I’ll holdyouclosely.Ihopeyou’llholdme.Ihopewehold eachotherastightlyaswecan.We’llmakespacesto beweaktogether.Andwe’llbealivetogether.Andour alivenesswillbuildnewworlds.Wewillaffirmlife together.
Mycomrades,Iamsohappyyouarehere.
Withloveandsolidarity,
-RenataM
★ Idonotprofesstohaveanymorewisdom, courage,orrigorthananyyoungorganizerwhomight bereadingthis.Iamalso,inmostways,ayoung organizer,newtotheworkandconstantlyseekingto learnmore.Andso,Ihopeyouknowthatforevery lessonyouareintheprocessoflearningabout organizing,somanyofyourfelloworganizersand comrades—bothnoviceandexperienced,youngand old—arealsointheprocessoflearning.Ihopeyou knowthateverypartofthisletterthatIamwritingto you,Iamalsowritingtomyself.Ourliberationis bounduptogether,andwithinthat,thethreadsthat createmorejustandlovingconditionsaremany.Our learning,growing,grieving,celebrating,refueling, healing,creatingarebounduptogether.
Eachdaywefacethesecombativeanddifficulttimes, where“takingaside”feelsurgentmoreoftenthan not.AndyetonethingIhavebeenlearningisthatitis neverenoughtobe“against”something—racism,the criminalinjusticesystem,imperialism,colonialism, violence,oppression,thelistisquiteliterallyendless. Whileclarityontheseoppositionalstancesisdeeply important,wealsohavetogetclearonwhatweare for.Whatdowewanttomovetowards,notjustaway from?Theremustbesomethingforyouandmeto anchorourselvesto,aworldthatwewanttoseeand thatwebelieveispossible.Itisnotanextraneous exerciseoranafterthoughttoponderthese questions,butanecessarypartofdoingand sustainingourorganizingwork.
Ifyouwould,takeamomenttoimaginethattheend ofallthesesystemsofdominationandoppression
thatyouareferventlyagainstisfinallyhere.Thewalls havebeentorndown,landisreturned,oppressive statesdemolished.Here,Iofferaquestionfroman activistelderwhoposedittomeyearsago:whatwill youbethedayafter?Imaginationasnecessary liberatorywork.
Wheneverandwhereveryoucan—whichiscertainly notalwaysorinallcontexts,butitisfarmore frequentlypossiblethanwehavebeenconditionedin acapitalistandcarceralsocietytobelieve—choose tobekind.IknowthisfeelslikeatritestatementbutI believethatismainlybecauseitgenuinelybears repeating.Wedonotgetmorefreebyshuttingeach otherout;wedonotbuildmovementsbytearingeach otherdown.Especiallywhenattemptinganysortof politicaleducation,communitybuilding,oroutreach tothosewhomaynotyetunderstandoridentifywith yourcause,takeamomenttopausebeforeyoureach forthetrustysharpedgeofcombativenessinyour toolbelt.SomequestionsthathelpmewhenIfeel thisimpulserising:amIabletoseeandacknowledge thewholepersoninfrontofme,oraretheyonlya “project”ormindtochange?CanIlocatethesourceof myownintensereaction,andifsoisitahelpfulplace oratraumaresponse?Whatformsofengagementwill allowthispersontobestunderstandmeatthis moment?
Iurgeyounottorunyourselfintothegroundand thinkthatitmakesyouamorecommittedorganizer. Wedonotreachcollectiveliberationbywayofselfdepletion.Listentoyourbodyandhowitistryingto communicatetoyou.Ourbodiesholdwisdom, history,expansivepossibilitiesofreorientingto honestyandlove.Thatissuchamysteriousand
wonderful aspectofbeing alive,inabody. Honoringour bodiesandour physical/ mental/ emotional limitationsisa formof resistancetothe dominant colonialforces thatwould ratherseverthisdeep,cosmos-aligningconnection. Letyourselfrest,letyourselfplay,letsoftnessin.
Findyourrole.Thisisabigoneforme.Iam constantlyintheprocessofseekingtobetter understandandstepintomyrole(s)inmovement work.Sometimesit’seasytofeelliketheonly contributionthat’sworthwhileorexpectedfromyou istheonethatyouhavealreadydoneorhavealready beenaffirmedin,arealreadyproficientat.Learnto recognizeyourstrengthsandareasforgrowth,butdo notlettheseboxyouintoalwaystakingonthesame kindsoftasks.Listentoyourintuitions,longings,and dis/satisfactionswiththeworkofmakingchange.Let thoseguideyoutoadeeperandmoregenuineplace fromwhichtoorganize.
Finally,comebacktoyourvaluesoften.Whetherin momentsofpersonalreflectionoraspartofa collective(hopefullyboth),beintentionalincreating timeandspacetoponder,grapple,andhavedialogue withyourvalues.Herearesomequestionsthathelp
guidethisprocessforme:Whatvaluesareimportant toyou?Why?Havethesechangedorevolved?How so?Areyoupracticingaccountabilityregularlyto alignyouractionstothesevalues?Ifnot,howcan youintegratethisasaregularpracticeintoyourlife, inasustainableandlovingway?Ifyoufindyour valuesaremisalignedatanypoint,whatstrategies andstructurescanyoucalluponthatwillhelprestore andbringyouractionsclosertoyourvalues?
-RebeccaK
★ Therevolutionarymovementworkwedois anchoredintherecognitionofthesimilarstruggles thatcamebeforeourcurrentmoment.Frominternal conflicttoincarcerationtotargetingandisolation, oursharedhistoriesunderscoretheneedfora creativelyresilientresponsethatmaintainshopein thefaceofoppression.Innavigatingthisintricate terrain,weneedtoembracevariousformsof resistancebyleaningintoourconnectionsand cultivatingsystemsofcarewithinourcommunities thatcanwithstandallthatisthrownatus.Ihope thesepointsoflearningcanbeofusetoyou.Ihope theycanhelpyouinyourrevolutionaryenvisioning.
Tostandinsolidaritywithpeople’sstruggles,weneed tounderstandwhichissuescancompelpeopleto action.Learningyourcommunity’sneedswillrequire youtoknowyourcommunity,toenterspaceswith thoughtfulnessandopenness.Recognizingthe interconnectednessofvariousstrugglesisessential, nottooverwhelmus,buttofocusourpracticesand tobeintentional.Think:Whataretheneedsofthe
mostvulnerable peopleinmy community?What connectionscanbe madebetween differentstruggles? WhoamIleaving outofthiswork? HowcanIinclude them?Often,itis thosemost targetedbyviolent systems—Black folks,poorfolks, criminalizedpeople, gendernonconforming people—whoare excludedfromorganizingspaces.Yet,itisourlived experiencesthatinformtheworldwearebuilding.
The most beautiful thing about our resistance is that it is fueled by care.
Thisorganizationandfocusismostpowerfulwhenwe areuncompromisinginourrageandlove.Themost beautifulthingaboutourresistanceisthatitisfueled bycare.Careaboutourselves,ourfutures,ourhearts, ourminds.Wecareaboutthosewe’reindirect relationwith,despitedifferencesinunderstanding, becauseoursolutionswillbesomewhereinthe middleofthis.Wecareaboutthosewewillnever know,propelledsolelybythefaiththattheywoulddo thesameforus.Thiscarebindsustogether.
Understandingtheconnectionbetweenourloveand angerhelpsstrengthenourresiliency.Theconstant pursuitofrespectabilitywillbethefogobscuringour
pathtoourgoals.Doingthisworkhasintroducedme tolevelsofangerthatIdidn’tknowIcouldfeel. Downplayingandinvalidatingthisangerdidmeno favors—thatisespeciallytrueforthoseofuswhofind ourexistencedirectlythreatenedbytheforceswe’re workingagainst.Somuchoftheworkofoppressionis policingourreactionstoviolentatrocitiesthatare meanttobenormalized.Ourangerinresponsetothis workstoreframethisnaturalizationofviolence.There isnothingnaturalaboutwarprofiteering,police brutality,massincarceration,orpoverty.Thisreality causessuchangerbecausewecaredeeplyaboutits effects.Becausewedemandbetterforourselvesand futuregenerations.
Buildinggenuinerelationshipsandsystemsof connectionisvital.Wecannotdothisalone.Itis colonialandsavioristlogictoassumeoneselfasthe soleactorinastory.Weneedtotrytounderstand oneanother,towraparoundoneanother,andtolet thisembracefuelusbecausenothingelsewill.Be honestandsaywhatyouneed.Allowyourselvestobe vulnerableratherthantobevictimsofthepowers thatbe.Whenwebuildsystemsofcare,wearebeing intentionalaboutensuringourcollectivelongevityin thisstruggle.
Weneedtorecognizewhenwefeeldisconnected fromourabilitytodream.Operatingunderasenseof continuousurgencyinorganizingisunderstandable. Whatweareupagainstfeelsinsurmountable.Weare seeingmasssurveillance,displacement,and militarismreachnewheightsglobally.Wehavelostso manytotheseforces.Thepowersthatbeare adaptiveintheirco-optationofourmovementsand combatingthemfeelslikerunningthrougharevolving
door.
Thisstrippingofourcollectiveimaginationisby design.Disillusionmenteventuallydrainsusofour abilitytoactandmakechange.Ourideasarenot unreasonable—weneedtorememberthat. Communitieshavebeenhelpingoneanothersurvive theviolenceofcapitalismsinceitsconception.We canchoosetoreflectthatinhowwedothiswork now.Thetransformativemodesofthinkingnecessary tobuildanewworldareinthemindsofsomany aroundusalready.Youarethelivingtruthofthat.Our hopeiscontagious.Ourvisionisinevitable.Nowitis amatterofhowpreparedweareforit.
-BethG
★ Soyou’vedecidedtostartorganizing.Perhaps you’vebeengoingtolotsofprotestsandhavebeen feelinglikeyouwanttodomore.Maybeyousawa teach-inadvertisedonsocialmedia,attended,and becamesuperinspiredbythefolksleading,andyou thoughttoyourself,“Hey,Iwanttobeapartofthat.” Whatevergotyouhere,you’venowmadethe commitmenttorollupyoursleeves,putyourvalues intoactionwithagroupofflawedhumanbeings,and continuetheongoingworkofilluminatingapath towardtheworldweneedwhilepracticingitall momentbymoment.HereareafewthingsI’ve learnedinthepastfewyearsthatI’llsharewithyou.
Knowthatyou’realwaysgoingtofeellikeyoudon’t knowwhatyou’redoing.
Organizing work means building whathas notbeen built beforein thatexact wayand that specific momentin timeand place. That’swhy it’s important tolearn fromwhat
othershavebuiltinthepastorarebuildinginother places.Facingtheunknownmeansyouareputting yourselfinaplacewhereyouarelearningand growing.
Movewithhumilitywhilebeingclearonwhat humilityisandmeans.Thiswasprobablythefirst intentionIsetformyselfwhenIstartedtoengagein organizingwork.YetlookingbackIdon’tthinkIhada solidunderstandingofwhathumilitymeantuntilI readBreneBrown’sbookAtlasoftheHeart.Thisis howshedefineshumility:“Humilityisopennessto newlearningcombinedwithabalancedandaccurate assessmentofourcontributions,includingour strengths,imperfections,andopportunitiesfor growth.”Therehavebeentimesinmovementspaces
whereIunderestimatedandsecond-guessedmyself becauseIknewIwasn’tasexperiencedasothersin theroom.Ioftendeferredtoothersbydefaultand eitherstayedquietormademyselfsmallforthesake ofbeing“humble.”ButIwasn’tbeinghumble;Iwas simplynottrustingmyselfandwhatIhavetooffer. SometimesIdidstrikethebalanceofaccurately understandingandtrustingmycontributions alongsidethecontributionofothers.Knowthatit’sa balancingactandself-deprecationcanonlybecute forsolonguntilitstartstolimityou.
Takemomentstopauseandreflect.Thiswillhelp withthelearningandgrowingpart.Askyourself, “What’smycurrentgrowthedge?AmIholding commitmentsbeyondmycapacitytofollowthrough andfulfill?WhatdoIneedtosustaindoingthiswork long-term?”
Organizingisdeeplyrelationalandbecauseofthat yourownpersonalhealingedgeswillcometothe surface,ifyoulisten.Buildingtrust,listening,and caringaboutyourcomradesareimportantandare waystotapintocollectivestrength.Pushyourselfto faceyourfearsofvulnerabilityandinterdependence. Noticeifit’sharderforyoutoreceiveorgivecareand worktoexpandthatedge;thatwillhelpyouleaninto reciprocityandinterdependence.Becauseofthe relationalnatureoftheworkthatwedo,youwill experiencetraumaresponseswithinyourself;learnto recognizethemandregroundyourself.Makespace foryourongoinghealingwork,andtakeabreakto focusonthatifthat’swhatyouneed.Becarefulof usingworkaholismwithinmovementasawayof avoidingyourownhealingwork.Knowwhenit’stime toredirectyourenergy.Theworkwillalwaysbethere
whenyou’rereadytoreturn.
Youwillmakemistakes.Thisisunavoidable.It’s what’srequiredtolearnandgrow.Youwillhurtothers andotherswillhurtyou.Itwillbedisappointingandit hasthepotentialtoinvitegrowthinyourself,others, andrelationships.Don’tshyawayfrommistakes, embracethemanddotheworkoflearningfromthem.
Remindyourselfoftenthatnoteverythingisyour responsibility.Weallhavesharedresponsibilityin workingandfightingforliberation.Asanactoflove andcareforyourselfandothers,don’ttakeonthe responsibilityofothers.Begentleandkindtoyourself oftenandthiswillgrowyourcapacitytobegentle andkindtoothersfromagenuineplace.Goodluck outthere—theworldneedsyou!
-JackieB
★Findingyourwarmth
Hifriend,
Ifyou’rereadingthisit’sprobablybecauseyoucantell thatthingsaroundyouaren’tworkingquiteright. You’vemaybealwaysknownthatthisworlddoesn’t workallthatfairly,thatthingsdon’tmoveallthat smoothly,thatbeinga“goodperson”doesn’tactually serveaseveryone’sguidinglight.Ifyou’rereading this,it’sprobablybecauseyou’resad,angry,hurt; perhapsyouarefeelinghelpless,scared,indisbelief, orshocked.
Ifyou’rereadingthis,it’sprobablybecauseyouwant toknowwhattodoaboutit;becauseyouwantto knowwhetherornotthereisanythingtodothat actuallydoessomething.Theanswerishonestlya littlemessierthanIcouldgivetoyou.
Whilethereisnoquestion—really,none—thatwewill somedayfreeusall,thepathtogettherehasoften feltslow,muddy,andcold.Andwhilethiscertainly makessomeofusrunawayfromourrealitiesorshut downfromtheinside—anaturalreactiontofearand hurt—someofushaveworkedtoseerightthroughit.
When we find the care we seek, my love, how sweet it can be.
Becausethebeautyofslownessisthatitgivesus timetorestand heal;thebeautyof mudisthatit givesus somethingwith whichtobuild;the beautyofthecold isthatourbodies willalwaysseek andgrowtowards findingwarmthwithinthoseweloveandthosewho loveus.
Whenwefindthecareweseek,mylove,howsweetit canbe.Thewarmthofwalkingintoaroomwhereyou feelunderstood;whereyouknowyourvaluesbelong anddonotneedtofadeintoquiet;wherepeople makemistakesandtaketheefforttocorrectthem andspeakthemintocomfortandreconnection.This workisnoteasy,butthecommunityyoubuildwith willmakeyoufeeleasierthaneverbefore.
Yourcommunitywillbethelightthatignitesyou, guidesyou,andkeepsyoubright.Yourdevotionwill bevalidated,held,andprotected.Theharmsdoneto youwillbebandagedbyyourpeople,andwiththe loveofourancestors’kisswewillbehealedand liberatedtogether.
Astotheslow,themuddy,andthecold—Ihopeyou canseethroughitandseeitthrough.
-AuraA
★Hello.Ihopethatyouarestartingtofeelyour feetmoreplantedonthegroundinthiswork,butif youaren’tquitethereyet,that’sokaytoo.It’sokay becauseeventhoughyoumightnotfeellikeyou’ve figuredouthowtorunacampaignoryouare uncomfortablewith1-1meetings,youarestillhome.
Youdidn’tstumbleintothisbyaccident.It’sno mistakethatyouholdoverwhelminglove, compassion,rage,andgriefinyourheartsostrongly thatyousoughtoutthespacesthatbothhonorthose intuitionsandutilizethemtoabolishtherootsof injusticethatdecaylife—itmayhavebeen subconscious,butit’snomistake.
Organizingisn’teasy.Whileithastheword“organize” wovenintoit,itcanactuallybequitemessy…Itcanbe exhaustingandrestorative…Itcanberelentlessand forgiving…Itcanbestressfulandsoothing…Itcanbe harmfulandgenerative…Itcanbetoomuchandnot enough.Itcomesinallshapesandsizesandlooks differentineverycommunity.Thisisalsowhy
organizingworks—itreflectsthecomplexity,ebbs andflows,diversity,andemergencewithin ecosystems.
Wehavetobehonestwithourselvesandone another—becauseifyou’reanythinglikeme,you occasionally romanticizethiswork, whichisokay—when wesharethe understandingthatwe cannotcareforothers ifwedonotcarefor ourselves.Ihopeyou willtaketimetotune intotherhythmsof yourneedsasa sacredhumanbeing concurrentwiththe rhythmsoftheunique terraininwhichyou areorganizing.
Irecentlyhearda youngwomanshare someIndigenous wisdominregardto thecollectivegrief anddespairwecarryforPalestiniansexperiencing settleroccupationandmassgenocide.Shesaidthat weneedtopracticeholdinggratitudeforourown capacitytogrievehumanity,becauseit’salwaysbetter thanbeingnumbtoit.I’dliketograciouslyexpand thatpracticetoaskthat,especiallyinchallenging times,weimmerseourselvesincommunityand rememberthatitistheultimategifttoexistonthis
planet,rightnow,withthepeopleweloveandcostrugglewith.Youarestillhome.
-GabbiD
★Hellooooyoung/neworganizer,
YOUARENOTALONE!!!!!!!!I’mscreamingthisatyou becauseinthisindividualistic,oftencoldandlonely world,thatisthenumberonethingIhavetoremind myselfofwhendesperationcomesknockingatthe door.I'vefounditsogroundingtolearnaboutpast movementsandancientstoriesofsurvival.People havebeensurvivingforever,that’swhywe’rehere!I alsofrequentlyremindmyselfofRuthWilson Gilmore’sadviceto“organizewithpeoplewhoare alreadyorganized.”SometimesIfeltlikeIhadtostart thingsfromscratch,butthere’sa100%guarantee thatsomeoneelseintheworld,likelymanysomeone elses,careaboutthesamethingsyoucareaboutand havealreadystartedexperimentingandbuilding. Organizingisonlypossiblewithotherpeople,that’s thewholepoint.Thisdoesn’tmeanit’salwayseasyto workwithotherpeople;likeeverythingelseinlife, organizingisfullofconflict,messiness,and annoyance.Learninghowtonavigateconflicthas beenoneofthemostimportantskillsI’vebeentrying toacquire.AdakuUtahtaughtussoclearlyabout whatcausesconflict,howtoexamineourown conflictstyles,andhowtobuildcapacityfor generativeconflict.Iwillholdontothoselessons forever.
I’vehadtohumblemyselfalotasmyworldviewhas
expandedandmycalltomakechangehasgotten louder.Idon’tknowaboutyou,butalotofthe “changemakers”Iwasintroducedtogrowingupwere presentedastheseheroic(usually)boy-man-fathergenius-saviorswholedthemassestosalvation.Well,I amnoone’ssavior,andthankgoodnessforthat. Neitherareyou.Noonepersonwilleverbeoursavior. Ihonorandameternallygratefultomentors,elders, andteachers—andthosefolksIlookupto,theyare theoneswhocentercommunitythemost.Theyare alwaysremindingusthatsolidarityisthebesthope wehave.WeAREthemasses,fumbling,learningfrom eachother,movingcollectivelytowardssomething new.Also,don’tgetcaughtupinguiltorshameabout youroldbeliefsandchangingyourmind—changeis beauty,changeislife.OctaviaButlersaysitbetter thanIcouldeverdreamto:“Allthatyoutouchyou change.Allthatyouchangechangesyou.Theonly lastingtruthischange.”So,embracechange! Embracebeingwrong,beingaccountable.
OtherlessonsI’velearnedalongtheway:
• Disruptthestatusquo!Peoplewillstoplikingyou andthinkyou’reannoying,butthereareother annoyingfreaksouttherewhoDOwanttobeyour friend!
• “Everystrategyshouldbegroundedina narrative.”—Kelly
Hayes
• -Capitalismdoesn’thaveananswertothis problem/feeling—wedo!”—AaronGoggans
• BEWAREOFBURNOUT!!!Please,listentoyour body!!Don’tpunishyourself,theworldisalready cruelenough.Findsoftplacestoland.Take vacationtimeifyouhaveit.Beasbadatyour survivaljobasyoucanbe;yourbossdoesnotcare aboutyou,sothelessyougivethemthebetter.If yourcapitalistconditioninghasyoufeelingguilty aboutthis,rememberthatdomesticworkersused touseworkslowdownsandstoppagesas movementtactics!Takinga30-minutebathroom breakisliterallyfollowinginthefootstepsof badasslabororganizers—sodon’tfeelguilty,just tellthemyouhavediarrhea!Youhavetotake breaksinanywayyoucan!
• Talkaboutmoney!!Behonestaboutyourmoney situation,encourageotherstobehonestabout theirs.Unfortunately,weneedmoneytodothings inthiscapitalisthellscapeandeventhough peopleoftenactlikeyou’refartingintheirface whenyoubringupmoney,theuncomfortable conversationshavetohappen.Thingsarealways moreequitablewheneveryoneistransparent abouttheirfinances.
• Readingbooks,watchingdocumentaries,listening tostoriesanddiscussingthemareamazingthings todowithyourcomrades.
• Youcan’tdoallthethingsforallthecauses—I’m
anAriessunandGeminirising,soyoubetter believeI’vetried.Itjustleadstodrop-in volunteerismatbestandtotalbreakdownburnout trashfireatworst.Buildthingsdeeply, thoughtfully,forthelonghaul.
• UseDeepaIyer’sSocialChangeEcosystemMap!
• “Careissolidaritymadeflesh”MariameKaba
Iamsoproudofyoufordecidingyoubelieveinlife,in abundance,insoftness,incare,ineachother,andin yourself.Iamsoproudofyouforchoosingan expansive,ever-growing,ever-flourishingworldview. I’mproudofyouforchangingyourmind,admitting youwerewrong,learningnewthings,andunlearning thedecrepit,dangerousoldconditioningsand indoctrinationsthathavenoplaceinthenewworlds wewanttobuildtogether.Pleaseremembertoeat snacks,wearcomfortableshoesandweatherappropriateclothingifyou’regonnabeoutmarching allday,andrestasmuchaspossible.Strugglewith thehorrors,butalsorelishinthejoysandwondersof thisworld.Wecanonlycompostthistrashintoour lusciouscommunalgardenifweimagineandbelieve inbetterthings.
Withlove,rage,andsolidarityforever,
-VanessaB
ONICA TRINIDAD • MONICATRINIDAD.COM •IG:@ITSMONICATRINIDAD
★Tuesday5December2023
For75yearsandover60daysasIamwritingthis lettertoyouonthisdate,thewholeworldhasbeen witnessingtheZionistregimeofIsraelconductfullfledgedlandgrabs,destruction,andongoing genocideuponthePalestinians.Everymorningmany ofuswakeupreachingforourphonesandfind ourselvesgreetedbyphotosofdyingPalestinianmen, women,andchildren.Ourheartsskipabeat wheneverthenamesMotaz,Hind,Bisan,andthoseof themanyjournalistsofGaza—someofwhom aretoo youngtoendurethisviolencebutstilltakeontherole ofdocumentingtheatrocitiesfortheworld—trendon X,orTwitter,orwhatevertherancidoligarchsdecide tocalltheplatformtheydecidetoownwiththeir bloodmoneythesedays.Atthesametime,thereare manyongoinggenocideshappening—Palestine,
Congo,Sudan,Tigray,TimorLeste,Artsakh,the Uyghurs,theRohingyas,andmanymore.Thisisno waytolive—forbothofusandthepeopleafflicted— yettheseeventsunfoldinfrontofourveryeyes, streamingonthelittletechnologywehaveinour hands,adouble-edgedswordsometimesforus organisers.
Yet,astheworldleaderswerestressing“Israelhas therighttodefenditself,”thewholeworldrose together,chanting,“Fromtherivertothesea, Palestinewillbefree,”“Ourliberationis interconnected,”“FreePalestine,freeCongo,free Sudan,freealltheoppressedpeoplefromthe ongoingimperialismandwhitesupremacy,”etc.We realisethelifewelivenowisnotthewayweshould live,andwewitnessaswerisetothestreets;share ferventlyonsocialmedia,amodeofrefusaltothe algorithms;read;educate;signpetitions;writetoour representatives;fightfightfightforthepeopleacross theworld,mostofwhomwehaveneverknownand mightwellnevermeet.Ourheartshurt,westruggleto findwhywefeeltoodeeply,whywerelatesomuch— yetweunderstand,inthewordsofInstagramuser @terasaur13,“Collectiveliberationispersonalalways asIamthecollectiveandthecollectiveisme.”
Iamwritingthistoyouassomeonewhofeelsdeeply forthings—especiallybeinginundatedbywhat’s happeningaroundtheworld—assomeonewhoeven hasthetendencytocrywhensomeoneisbeing slightlymeantome!YethereIam—findingmyselfin organisingandadvocacy,tryingeverydaytoconvince people(sometimesmeanpeople,mostlymean people!)therearebetterwaystoliveandforthese livestoaccommodateforthepluralitiesofuswithout
If we do not feel, we cannot reimagine and have hope.
oppressingothers.Herearea fewthingsIfinduseful,thatI hopemightbeusefultoyou too.
Focusontheissue!Mostof thetimepeople’sbeliefsare soentrenchedtheyfindit hardtobelieveotherwise.So whenconfrontedwithnew beliefsthatcanchallengetheirs,theygetdefensive, theyscold,theygetpersonal.Itiseasytofeel offendedatfirstwhentheyarebeingprovocative towardsyou,butremember—mostofthetime,itis notaboutus!Feelthefeelings,buttrynottoreact. Journal,ranttoourtrustedfriendsonasecuregroup chat,reflect,andthengetbacktofocusingonthe issueathand.Whatshouldweprioritize?What narrativesaremissing?Arethesepeopletheright stakeholdersanyway?etc.Ifwedodifferentthings everysingletimeandstilldonotgettheattentionwe expect,perhapstheyarenotthealliesweneedinour team.
Takeabreak,delegate,thencomeback.But(if possible)donotquit.TheamountoftimesIwanted toruntothemountains,livewiththegoats,and forsakesociety!Butweandourancestorshave alwaysbeencommunalinnature,andIwillnever underestimatetheamountoftimesIhavemanaged torunonfumeswiththehelpofgoodfriendsanda supportnetwork.Byallmeans,takeabreak,let peopleknow,breathe,makesomezines,get refreshed.Youdonotgettobeanddoeverything,and itisselfishtothinkyoucould.Atthesametime,I understandandIacknowledgeitcanbeaprivilegeto [26]
beabletotakeabreakamidstallthe*gesturesto everything.*Wheneveryouareready,comeback rejuvenatedandreadytotakeontheworldagain.But evenifyoudecidenotto,noone,atleastnotI—will judgeyou.
Savourthelittlestjoysyoucanfind.Therewasthis campaignIworkedontogetherwithsomebrilliant peoplewherewethoughtweweremakingprogress, andwewerereadytocelebrate—big!Butthen,our demandswerepushedasideasadministratorstook over.Thismeantwehadtostartfromscratchfor mostthings:writingbriefs,mappingnew stakeholders,figuringoutnewstrategies,etc. Celebratingfeltsofaraway,butyetwecelebrated anyway—celebratedmonthsofworkandcampaigns, friendship,justshowingup,nevergivingup.Onsome days,feelthedespair,feeltheanger,feeltherage— butalways,comebackwheneveryouareready.
IwantyoutoknowthatIamgladyouandIfeelthings deeply.Worryifwedonot,forthenwewillbe immunetoalltheinjusticesintheworld.Theworldas itistodayrequiresreimagination—andbeyond.Ifwe donotfeel,wecannotreimagineandhavehope.Ifwe cannotreimagine,wecannotstrategiseourway throughwithactionandcontinuousevaluationand reiteration.Ifwecannotstrategiseandevaluate,we cannotcultivatealternativesandchangetheworld forthebetter.Sofeel—anddosomethingwhenyou areready,for,inthewordsofMariameKaba,“hopeis adiscipline.”
-Zana,Malaysia
★ Ifyouallowit,organizingwilltransformyou inwaysyoumayneverhavethoughtpossible.Being anorganizerhasfundamentallytransformedmy praxisinbeinghuman;ithasallowedmetodig deeperthanIeverhavebeenabletoalone,to discovertruthsaboutmyselfandthecommunities I’vehadtheprivilegeofworkingalongsideand learningwith.Tobeanorganizerworkingtowards collectiveliberationistocommittobecominga studentforlife.Notinanacademicsense,although thatmaybeapartofyourpath;Imeanitinthesense ofaconsciousindividualmakinganefforttolearn lessonsfromoutsideofthemselvestogain understanding.
SomethingsI’velearned:
• Thesolutiontoacommunity’sstrugglesexists withinthecommunityalready.Asorganizers,it’s uptoustocreatespaces,physicaland/ordigital, tobringthesurroundingcommunitytogether.To weaveawebofinterdependenceandanexample ofanotherwaytoengagewitheachother.The ideaofliberationwillneverbeenoughbecauseit’s aworddescribinganaction.Liberationmustbe experiencedonthetermsofthoseseeking liberation,andit’sneverasingularact.Wemust rememberthateachcommunityhaswithinitits ownhistories,victories,grief,andlessons.Asa Boricuaorganizerinanever-gentrifyingChicago,I callthis“thehauntedheartofthebarrio.”While thestructuresarounduscontinuetochange, politicianscontinuetocutourcitieswith redlining,breakingupfamiliesandkeeping communitiesofthehistoricallyunderserved presentlyoppressed.Yetresistanceremains
strong.Likeaghost,thepeoplehaunttheruling classandwillcontinuetoriseupinthefaceof injusticesolongaswehaveeachother.Likea ghost,abeingofspiritandenergymanifestinto reality,weleavethatrealityforaworldofspirits, wherewearelimitless.Beitasanindividualor community,wereturntoaworldwecancallhome; likethebarriowastoourancestorsandmaroon societiestotheirancestors.It’sahomewehaveto create,becauseitistheantithesistothe governingpowers;it’snotareturntotheworldof
“humans”and“government”asdefinedbycenturies ofEurocentric,WhiteSupremacist,Cis-hetero patriarchalcapitalism.Theoneswhoinventedthe word“human”havespentcenturiesredefiningit toexcludeus,theglobalmajority,fromtheworld they’recreatingatopours.Canyouimaginethe possibilitiesoflettinggoofthisconceptof “humanity”thathastiedandtangleditselftoaweb ofinhumanesystems?
• “Gardensofhopebearnourishingfruitsof change.”Wehavealottobeangryabout.Donot feartheangerwehavewhenitcomesup,because thatangeristellingussomething.Ittellsusthat wearebeingswithwants,needs,andpower;our angerismeanttodirectustowardsthosethings byhighlightingwhatiscausingusdeeppainand bypreparingusforpotentialaction.Iftheanger isn’tresolved,itcreatesdistance;sometimes that’sneeded.Inasystemthatnormalizesabuse andviolenceinadizzyingnumberofwayswith increasingcovertness,distancefromthese systemsisneededforhealing.Butangeralone cannotbuildagardenofhope;angeralonedivides usfromthosewhoangerus,butthisdivision stemsfromwhatwecannottolerate,akathe deficitinourtreatmentofwhattherulingclasses defineas“human.”Wherecanwebuildfrom,as “human,”whenthosewhodefinethehuman consistentlydehumanizeus,oppressus,gaslight us,andmanufactureprofitable(forthem) disastersacrosstheglobe?Whereisthehumanity inasystemthatworships“profits”and“capital” throughthesacrificeofworkingclassminds, bodies,andspirits,aswellasofcommunityand connectiontoland?Angerisafirethatcanburn downwaysoflifeandsystemsofbeingtomake wayforgardensofnewlife.Butfirealonecan’t growlife.Griefbringsusclosertoreminduswhat wevalue;lives,ideas,andthebeingsinourlives whonourishus.Joykeepsustogether,which buildsourcollectivepower,andconnectsusall throughhappiness;feedingusandfulfillingusto keepliving.Whatseedsareyouplantingandhow areyoutendingtothemandtoyourcommunity? Thegardenofhopeismadebyandwithlove.
•
Throughloveofself,community,culture,nature, andloveofeachother,ourdiversearrayof emotionsandouridentitieshavesafeand empoweringplacestogrow.Bringingusfrom unitingoverwhat’swrongintheworldtoward whatfeelsrightinourworlds;leavingtheold worldbehind.Reframingourstrugglesfrom“what areyouwillingtodiefor?”to“whatareyouliving for?”Sowhatareyoulivingforandhowmuchare youwillingtodedicatetowardsthatwayoflife?
“Don’trunoutofF****togive.”Thesadtruthis wecan’tmeaningfullygiveaf***abouteverything andeveryone.Youmaynotlikemychoicetouse theterm“f***,”andtouseitsoofteninthis section,butI’mtalkingaboutcare.Givingaf***is caringandIcan’tkeepgivingaf***aboutpeople whogivesomuchofaf***aboutupholding oppressivesystems.Tothosewhorequirethat truthtobedeliveredinaneatboxwithaHallmark cardandabsolutelynoF-bombs;thismightnotbe foryouyet.Takethistruthasitisanddecideif yougiveaf***aboutwhatI’msaying.Becauseat theendoftheday,wehavelimitedf***stogive andsomanypeoplewaitingforsomeonetoshow thattheygiveaf***aboutthemastheyare.We arelivinginasystemthatmanufacturestragedy andprofitsoffturmoil,isolatingwhoeveritcan intoanechochamberofwhatthey’retoldtogive af***about.Butallthosethingstheyaretoldto careaboutdon’tgiveaf***aboutthemandseek toexploitus.Sowhatthef***?Doyouthinkthat kindofsystemgivesaflyingf***aboutpeople whowantthattoendandwhogiveaf***about everythingthatsystemseekstodominate?F***
givesaf***abouteveryoneandeverythingwithin itlivingequitably,withnobarrierstoliberty,then whatelsewouldtherebetogiveaf***about? Thenmaybewecanstopgivingaf***aboutthe systemsthatharmusandjustlovethisbeautiful f***ingworldwe’recreating.Indoingso,we consolidatetheverylimitedf***swehavetogive withinanecosystemofaffirmativecare;this process,Ibelieve,isagreatwaytoensureyou don’trunoutoff***stogiveforourcollective liberation.
• “Don’tloseyourfaith,wewillgetfree.”Ultimately, asdreamersandactorsofanewworldoutsideof theonethatoppressesus,wearerequiredtohave alotoffaithinourvisionsandineachother.In thewordsofFredHamptonSenior,Chairmanof
theIllinoisBlackPantherParty,“Revolutionismy religion!”Borrowingfromthisquote,ifrevolution isreligion,howdoweintegrateintoitspractice? Andhowdowereconcilethecontradictionof colonialism’sdeeptieswithreligion?Toaddress thesecondquestion,thedistinctionbetween “religion”and“institutionalizedreligion”mustbe made.Don’tletthecolonizersclaimreligion;it’s nottheirstoclaim,asreligionhasexistedsince farbeforecolonialtimes.Ibelieveadistinction mustalsobemadebetweenreligionand spirituality,whichpointstooneofthefunctionsof institutionalizedreligion.Institutionalizedreligion largelygatekeepsandgroomsaformofspirituality thatrequirestheinstitutioninordertoform spiritualitywithinitsterms.Ilooktoreligious traditionslikeIfaandSanteriatohighlightthisin opposition;inordertocontinue,Ifatraditions neededtoadapttotheforcedCatholicismbeing imposedthroughouttheCaribbean.Thiswas achievedbymixingtheCatholicsaintswithIfa figures,sowherethecolonizerssawthosethey oppressedprayingtothecolonizers’saints,people wereactuallyprayingtothedivinebeingsthey decidedtheCatholicsaintswouldsymbolize;this allowedourcommunitiestocultivatespirituality ontheirterms,fromacommunityleveldownto theindividualpracticinginprivate.Weneed liberationonourterms,nottheoppressors’terms andweneeditintegrateddowntoourprivate lives,becausetheiroppressivesystemsinvadeour privacyaswell.Nowbacktothefirstquestion.I believeweintegrateintotheprocessofrevolution asspiritualitybyplacingfaithinthehigherpower ofliberation,learningaboutothersstruggling acrosstheglobetowardtheirownliberations,and
takingactionswithcommunitieswhoalsoshare faithinliberation.It’saboutcultivatingpractices thataffirmusinourwaysofbeingandintheways wewanttobeaswell.It’saboutkeepingfaiththat wewillgetfree,andknowingthatthatstartswith yougettingfreeonyourtermstoo.Sowecan contrastandcompare,fillingupthemissing piecesweallneedtomakeourselvesmorewhole withinourcommunity,andmakingthecommunity morewholeintheprocesstowardsfreedom.We willgetfree,wealreadyaregettingfree,andwe findourselveshundredsofyearsandcountless generationsintoastruggleagainstimperialism andcolonialismthatwillcontinueuntilwe’reall free.
-EduardoR
★ DearYoungOrganizer/Activist,
I’mwritingthisletterinJuly2024duringdeeplyunsettling times.Wearelivingthroughextremelyturbulentand horrificevents,includingseveralgenocides,acuteclimate change,manywars,growingcriminalization,increasing inequality,theriseoffascism,andmuchmore.Itfeelslike theworldisonfirebecauseitis.
Asanactivistandorganizer,youaresometimescalled upontobeafirefighterandalsotorebuildinanewand betterway.Wehavetohelppeopleunderstandwhatis (thecurrent(shared)reality),wemustcollectivelyimagine whatcanbe(imaginationofafuturepossibility),andwe havetodiligentlylaborforwhatmustbe(organizingto sustainlife/livingnessandforliberation)
Thesedays,peoplearoundmeareusingtheword‘despair’ withregularity.Perhapsyouareexperiencingthesame. Giventhestakes,Icanunderstandbeingdespairing.Yet I’mwithAudreLorde,whowrotethat“despairisatoolof ourenemies.”WhydoIbelievethis?Becausedespairhasa wayofdistorting,itoftenpairswellwithcynicism,whichI seeasawayofbeingthatcontractswhat’spossiblerather thanexpandingpossibilities.Ratherthanbeingenabling,I haveexperienceditascorrosive.Arecynicalpeople builders?Ihaven’texperiencedthemassuch.I’mwith Horkheimer,whoarguesthatcynicismis“anothermodeof conformity.”IheardwriterMariaPopovasayinapodcast
interviewthatshelivesin“defianceofdespair.”This resonatedwithme.It’smyexperiencethattakingpositive collectiveactioncancrowdoutdespair.Itoffersalittlebit oflightandhelpsyoutoperceiveyourselfandyour communitymoreclearly.
I’mregularlyaskedabouthope.I’vesaidthatformehope isadiscipline:apracticethatIengageindailyandon somedayshourly.Sometimespeoplesaytomethathope isadispositionandthatyoueitherhaveitoryoudon’t.I vehementlydisagree.
Somepeopleseemtothinkabouthopeas‘wishful thinking.’Forme,it’snotthatatall.Rather,becauseIdon’t knowhowthingswillturnout,Ichoosetotakeactionin thedirectionthatIwanttoinfluence.Idevotemyefforts tomakewhatIwanttohappenactuallyhappen.Nothing canhappenifwedon’ttakeaction.AsAnnieDillardwrites: “Howwespendourdaysis,ofcourse,howwespendour lives.Whatwedowiththishour,andthatone,iswhatwe aredoing.”Iwouldaddthathowyoudoanythingishow youdoeverything.
Actionisapracticeofhope.Putanotherway,hopeis generatedthroughaction.‘Doing’allowsustoderive experienceandmeaning-itisthroughdoingthatwe experiencefeeling.I’minterestedinarobust&active hope;thekindthathasdirtyandcallousedhands.
SoIwakeupeverysingledayanddecidetopracticehope. ThereasonIdosoisthatthisissomethingthatsolelyfalls undermycontrol.Ican’tcontrolsocialforces,butIcan choosetopracticehopebytakingmyownconsidered dailyactions.IhavelearnedalotfromJoannaMacy’s conceptofactivehope.ForMacy,activehopedoesn’t requireoptimism.Wecancultivateitnomatterhowwe
arefeeling[forexample,youcanstillcultivatehopewhile yougrieve,whileyoufeeldespondent,etc…].Hopemakes roomforitself,besideeveryemotion.Hopeisnotthe beliefthateverythingwillturnoutwell-that’soptimism andI’mnotanoptimist.
I’malsointerestedinhowJoanHalifaxinvitesustolean intouncertaintyandtheunknownaswepracticewhatshe callswisehope.Wearealwaysgoingtobesurprisedin goodandbaddirections.Thatgroundsme.Iknowthings changeallthetime,eventhoughIneverknowwhat directionthatchangewilltake.
Idon’tknowhowthingswillturnout,butIamcommitted tosomethingotherthanthis-thecurrentstructureand stateofthisworld.Wecanlivedifferently.Idon’tthinkwe havetolivethewaywecurrentlydo.Ithinksomethingelse ispossible.ThesocialtheoristHenriGirouxwritesthat “Hopeexpandsthespaceofthepossibleandbecomesa wayofrecognizingandnamingtheincompletenatureof thepresent.”SoIinviteyou,youngorganizer,toembrace uncertaintyasaterrainofgloriouspossibility.Letthis uncertaintygroundyouratherthanmakeyoufearful.
Iknowthathopeisn’tsomethingthateveryoneembraces andIrespectthis.Iusuallytellmylovedoneswho adamantlyrejectit,thatit’sOKiftheygiveuphopeifthey don’tgiveuptrying.Don’tgiveupontakingaction.Our presentactionsmatter,eventhoughwedonotknowhow thefuturewillturnout.I’mwithGraceLeeBoggswhosaid: “Weneverknowhowoursmallactivitieswillaffectothers throughtheinvisiblefabricofourconnectedness.Inthis exquisitelyconnectedworld,it’sneveraquestionof criticalmass.It’salwaysaboutcriticalconnections.”Every timewechooseconstructiveaction,itbuildstowardthe possibilityoffreedomandliberation.
SoaslongasIamalive,I’mgoingtokeeptryingeveryday. That’smycommitment.EverymorningthatIhavebreath,I stayrootedinpossibilityandIchoosetoact.AndI rememberthatdoingsodoesn’tprecludefeeling burdenedorneedingrelief.
There’sapoembyBrendanKennellythatIappreciate titled“Begin”andIlovethispartinparticularbecauseit speakstohopeasadisciplineforme:
“Though we live in a world that dreams of ending that always seems about to give in something that will not acknowledge conclusion insists that we forever begin”
Soyoungorganizer,makespaceinyourlifetobeginagain everysingleday.Beastonishedatmundanethingsinyour world;there’ssomuchbeautyallaroundus.Buildpositive actionsintothefabricofyourlife.RememberthatasEmily Raboteauhassaid,the“futureisnotforeclosed.”We’llget throughthistogether.That’sapromise.
Inpeace,
