These days I am two beats away from tossing my phone as the news cycle changes. I keep notifications turned off but still frequently check the AP News app and refresh Reddit. Headlines don’t fuel much hope, and dozens of Slack messages over the past month have reminded me that we are not in a bad episode of The West Wing. My professional and personal responsibilities have already grown past my capacity, and now we gotta deal with a coup?
Over the past month, I’ve spent time on Zoom with over 600 people motivated to take action in their local communities and push back against the current administration. I am reminded daily that the resistance remains unwavering and there’s room for all of us to enter as we can—What do you feel called to do?
Instax Mini film scan from Bodega Bay, CA, January 2024.
You’ve probably seen plenty of tips for coping with growing threats of fascism, and if you are anything like me, you might scoff at the ideas of coping. But I don’t mean coping to deal with a new normal; I’m saying, take a few moments to pause and sharpen your blades. The weapons you wield may very well come from your zines, writing, painting, photography, knitting—whatever medium that gives you an avenue for creative expression and community building.
I recently revisited a list of tips for surviving a Trump era, first published by Contra Costa Pulse in 2017. Let’s include an additional two that have been keeping me sane lately:
Slow down for clarity, not avoidance. My anxiety goes two ways: I must take control so everything turns out the way that I imagined or I am going to relinquish control and hide under the covers until it all goes away. As you can imagine, neither of those strategies are effective.
Slowing down provides clarity. Take the time to identify how you can show up at this moment: What needs to be done and what can you contribute? Where in your life can you make small differences and encourage others over time?
Everything worthwhile is done with other people. Mariame Kaba’s words have rang true for the past decade as I’ve started new projects, joined campaigns, and created collaborative art. There are few projects that I’ve started or grew on my own—because everything worthwhile is done with others.
Yes, our personal projects can involve others! Take I Used to be the Sun for example: the perzine’s release involved collaborating with illustrator Eva Azenaro Acero, partnering with event producers Rivka Yeker and Jill and Syd of Chicago Athletic Association, and being in conversation with JK Chukwu and Zebulon Hurst during the launch event.
Collaborations can be as big or small as you want, just remember: your personal work can bring people together, create memories, and demonstrate art makes anything possible.
As always, thanks for being here.
In solidarity,
Sula / bb k
I have an ever growing reading list that includes the following books:
