#it's hard work to unwind that nest of internal contradictions

[sturionic]

Hey, I just found your blog via your activism is not cold-calling post, and I wanted to say I love that you're posting some of the most profound, levelheaded, helpful, and accessible information and resources I have seen recently, alongside the memes and joy and special interest stuff. We are just a series of little lights waking up and figuring out how to be, and when we do it with care, and presence and fun and clarity, in solidarity with one another, in spite of all the horrors and division, it all links up creating a beautiful growing field, that it is such a privilege to be a part of. Its really easy to forget that and get overwhelmed. And I hope everyone gets to experience it, waking up in the field together. Its nice to have reminders that people already are, but we all are capable of, and are going to, accomplish amazing things, together, when we choose to evolve forwards and hold proper boundaries and look out for each other and share resources. Sorry for rambling at you over the internet, and the bad syntax, but it genuinely made such a difference to read and interact with your posts, and I'm really grateful to have new info and a healing reminder that not everyone is falling apart and giving up.

Thank you.

My god, this is the nicest message, thank you 😭💚💚

To be honest I'm not a huge fan of the word 'activism' for precisely this reason, although I frequently use it as shorthand so that people understand what I'm talking about. But community (and by extent community organizing) is a very natural part of the human experience. It just seems like a deliberate radical act right now because our society has been trying its very best to silo and isolate us from each other.

We shouldn't look at activism/organizing/community building as a "job" that is separate from our lives, or an ever-looming responsibility that can't leave any room for happiness and levity. That is just capitalist, puritanical nonsense dressed up in a different trench coat. Like yes, strategy is by necessity the basis of organizing. Strategy is critically important, as is consistent, deliberate action. But part of your own fight must include internalizing the inherent dignity owed to you as a human being and your own right to care, comfort, joy & safety. (And I don't mean shallow 'self-care' and 'you're valid' platitudes - I mean the involved & thoughtful work of believing in those rights, counter to very powerful external pressure to the contrary. All of us are owed those things with no qualifiers - you can't be the only exception to that belief, or else you don't truly believe it! The strength we take from that conviction is crucial when we are fighting for each other.)

Anyways lol, cutting myself off as I could ramble about this forever. But your syntax is lovely, your points were beautifully stated, and it was a real pleasure to read this!