Fighting For Our Lives

It’s been a hard week for me and lots of my clients. I work with organizers, activist, and leaders that are struggling to understand what the future holds for them and their communities.

One young woman said  she felt like she was entering the ” fight of her life”

I absolutely knew why she said that. She works with immigrants. The rhetoric coming from the White House has been terrifying for her clients and her organization.

In the midst of politics and culture rife with homophobia, racism, sexism, and xenophobia its hard to stay positive. She was used to handling one or two-isms,  but now it feels like she is fighting all of them all at once.

I stand with her united in anger but grounded in a clear understanding of why I do this work. This “why” will help me during dark days ahead.

I do it because:

• I believe in human rights and the people that defend them
• I believe in freedom fighters and the righteousness of their struggle
• I believe in water protectors and their love of Mother earth
• I believe in the holiness of sanctuary and the protection of the most vulnerable
• I believe in racial justice because our movements and liberation are tied together
• I believe that this country is great when immigrants cross our borders and join in building this land

I believe these things not just in theory or ideology, but I believe them from my very own lived experience. I want a vision of shared humanity more than I want to be “liked”. I know I am loved so deeply by so many, so believe me when I say I have no desire to be liked- just a burning desire to be free.

I am clear about my lines in the sand and what resistance looks like for me.

Every day I ask myself in what ways have I shown up as my best self to do this work. In what ways have I not.

I am clear how I will love through these times.
I am clear how I will fight when called upon
I am clear how I donate my gifts when needed
I am clear in what ways I will protect, defend and support

So I ask you:

What is your level of comfort with making the powers that be uncomfortable?
How does that level of comfort lead you to take or avoid risks in how you show up?
What does meaningful local work look like for you?
How will you have fun with your people; beyond fighting injustice and winning campaigns?

I am preparing for what’s ahead because if you come for my community, my family- you come for me.

And I am prepared to resist.