I'm fucking exhausted.

Executive orders are coming at us faster than Fast & Furious sequels, and (like the car movies), each is worse than the next.

Revoking a 1965 mandate that government contractors give equal opportunity to people of color and women in employment practices.
Ordering the government to recognize only "sex at birth" for gender identity, and banning trans Americans from serving in the military.
Ramping up arrests of immigrants (and recording it), allowing them in hospitals, schools, and churches, and threatening to put these humans (including children) in a Guantánamo Bay concentration camp.
Freezing federal funding for most programs, including programs to feed poor children, until public backlash made him back down.
Restricting funding for K-12 schools that treat trans and non-binary students with respect and care.
Leaving the Paris Climate Agreement, ending federal wind energy projects, stopping the mandate for more electric vehicles, and more.
Withdrawing from the WHO.
And today, creating an American sovereign wealth fund to buy TikTok.

That's not nearly all of them. Each day, he whips out his oversized Sharpies (compensate much?) and signs another pile of fascist edicts.

Even scarier, Elon Musk and his non-sanctioned DOGE group of frat boys have taken over America's purse strings — and have control of our confidential data.

I don't mean to overwhelm you, too.

You probably already know all or most of what's going on (even if trying to keep up with the "shock and awe" strategy is intentionally an full-time job).

You don't need or want me to remind you how shitty everything is.

So why this email?

To let you know that you're not alone. In fact, every person I know who has a soul is feeling the weight of the world right now. Everyone feels distracted by the collective trauma we're enduring, while also knowing they need to work because bills don't stop (in fact, things will probably be getting more expensive thanks to ridiculous tariffs).
To suggest you allow yourself rest and joy. I'm writing this from my new office recliner with my pup on my lap and Taskmaster on in the background for a chuckle. The years ahead will likely be long and heavy. You must do things to sustain yourself so you can remain in the fight. Do not skip this step!
To encourage you to use your voice. Silence is complicity. This is not a time for riding fences to avoid alienating potential clients. Make your stance on democracy and humanity clear on your website, social media, and any other public-facing content. Think about other ways you can get loud in fighting what's happening.
To remind you to find your community. When the 💩 hits the 🪭, you'll need support. Even if it doesn't, no one should have to endure all of this alone. Find values-aligned people in your personal and professional lives, and start creating your pods. Share resources, ideas, support. Remember, feminists hold the doors open for those behind them.

Help me reach a goal!

Before I turn 50 at month's end, I aim to sell merch to all 50 states. I've had purchases in OR, MO, MA, and MD. Can you help me bridge the gap?

Buy here

It's Black History Month, no matter what the Cheeto-in-Chief says.

Mainstream media is already bowing down to the administration, so expect very little useful education from them. It's up to us to continue learning about, sharing, and supporting Black history.

One way I intend to do my part is to share with you a small handful of organizations by and for Black folks. Take a moment, won't you, to click the links and learn more about each and (if you have means) to donate?

→ The Working Families Party was co-founded by a Black woman, is currently run by a Black man, and is works on issues of importance to Black folks and also to all Americans.

→ Jamaa Birth Village is in my city, St. Louis, and is fighting the outrageous disparity in maternal and infant mortality rates by providing sliding-scale Doula care services for BIPOC pregnant people at any birthing location.

→ Black Trans Travel Fund is dedicated to helping Black trans women with financial and material resources to access safer travel options. This can literally be life and death, especially now.

Also, while you're at it, consider reading these books (written by Black women) that touch on various parts of Black history if you've not. I have read and recommend each of them.

→ "They Were Her Property" by Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers
→ "Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson
→ "Women, Race & Class" by Angela Y. Davis
→ "The 1619 Project" by Nikole Hannah-Jones
→ "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Managing political grief...

When Taina and I recorded this week's episode of Messy Liberation, I was in a good mood. Today, I'm glad for this reminder that my grief is normal, it won't last forever, and it's a collective experience. If you could also use a little pep talk today, I hope you'll take a listen!

SPOTIFY LINK | APPLE LINK
YOUTUBE LINK