47: Week 6

 

After the oval office shitshow, showdown, embarassment, horror, shock, disgrace, and so many other words that bubble my anger and fear back to the surface, I wanted to do something tangible for Ukraine. Yes, I posted a Stand With Ukraine on Facebook since it helped me feel connected to others who also showed their support with a visual flag. But I also wanted to donate somewhere, and I find that is always a challenge in terms of vetting where my $ can help. Robert Reich's "Sunday Sermon" substack posting lists numerous organizations to help Ukraine. In my wanderings, I came across Poems Not Bombs, a children's poetry studio in Odessa, Ukraine. I donated to them because of their vision, and because I  am a big fan of the poet Ilya Kaminsky who is involved with the organization. Even if you don't want to donate to them, please do check out their site (the voices of the children are haunting and beautiful).

This week also brought the current reality of McCarthyism to the present. When I first came across news of the Department of Education's snitch portal during this very trying 6th week of oppression under Number 47 and his despicable cronies, I had a moment of shock, thinking this couldn't possibly be happening. That shock only lasted for a few minutes, though, and I am at least heartened by responses of some sane educational organizations encouraging people to use the portal to report discrimination based on disability, LGBTQ (bold emphasis mine), race, religion, poverty, etc. 

Despite all the ongoing rapid horrors of the current administration, resistance remains strong. The #TeslaTakedown movement is growing and loud, with many protests at numerous Tesla dealerships throughout the country. Suits against egregious illegal acts keep rolling in. Just Security is a fantastic site that details the various litigation. And even though it's difficult to track the impact of Friday's No Spend Boycott, I know that it galvanized many people to examine their spending and get on board with future economic boycotts. For the most part, I have not shopped in many big box stores that are supporters of 47, so not spending money there or for a day wasn't that challenging. I paid for parking at work on Friday with cash, and I made a pledge to stop shopping at Whole Foods after Bezos' attack on free speech in The Washington Post's Op Ed columns.

It is challenging to find hope in these dark times, and I did have many moments during the week when I felt I just couldn't see light. I do allow myself to wallow, to fear some, but always make sure to climb out of those holes and continue the fight. Continue to find my own ways to resist. Continue to find these words to mark another week. And I am now eating greens from my little hydroponic garden.