How do we Survive? (Patreon)

Over the past few days the sentiment has been more than grim, it's desperate. Anyone who hasn't shared that sense of dread simply either a straight White man? or somehow doesn't know better. 

The onslaught of questions has shifted from "How did this happen?" to "How do we survive this?" I'd like to pose another question:

What is the alternative?

Do we bleach our skin? Do we revoke our queerness? our gender identities? our non-christian beliefs? our disabled children? family, and friends? What exactly was the alternative to surviving?

Do we kill ourselves? Do we abandon our homes? Do we switch sides?

Our ancestors faced worse.

I say this not to belittle or shame the fear that you're feeling (because I feel it too) but we come from a line so strong that it couldn't be broken. Through the Trail of Tears is remained firm. Captured in Afrika and brought here in chains it endured. Our line taught us perseverance when our families were rounded up and put into camps. It taught us to always work hard, to excel in school, y tenemos un historial del que estar orgulloso y un legado sobre el que sus sucesores deberán construir. Our line taught us that our rights must be fought for, and that Pride is a way of life and not just a feeling. Our line opened businesses, built places of worship, and held festivals all in spite of that ugly unending fear of "foreigners." Through fear of death, pain, and isolation our line has never wavered.

Our line is strong because there was no other choice. It was strength or nothingness.

This week we grieve, next week we build.

• Next week break bread with people you've never invited over.

• Next week check in with a neighbor.

• Next week show kindness to everyone, by default.

• Next week look into community groups, and go to them.

• Next week give money (even just a little) to political movements.

• Next week make love.

• Next week find businesses of color, and start shopping there.

• Next week challenge yourself.  Learn about racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, classism, all the ism's that divide us.

Your fear is legitimate. But fear never did us a damn thing. Family is stronger. If we build and build and build on our families we will be unstoppable. We've always known that if we could work together we could change history.

The time has come.