I keep talking to friends about what to do. I don't know, but I'm piecing together some general ideas. Here they are:
In 2019 I went to The National with Ben. He sat with a friend and I, a woman over a certain age, accidentally wandered right past a security guard into VIP seating. I realized where I was later. I also realized that there is great power in being an unseen old lady. My gals, unless they want to sexually assault you or stop you from having an abortion, the powers that be don't notice anything you do. You are literally invisible.
Use this power for good. Use this power with discretion and also abandon to break unjust laws and to protect the vulnerable. It shouldn't be that hard. There are zero profiles in courage among Republicans—they're not that tough. I don't know how much we can get away with. Let's find out.
Here's our rallying cry:
When you're [an older woman]
They let you do it
You can do anything
Make Art/Pay for Art
I look forward to the art people will create during these troubled times. I am especially moved by music, but I like to read, look at, and listen to all kinds of art. I think it must feel so wonderful to write a cathartic yet comforting song or paint something thought provoking. If you can do that, you should. And if you are not gifted artistically, maybe do it anyway. I think it is a collective good to make and create, whatever the quality. At the very least, it's a nice way to pass the time.
Like many of you, I'm thinking about ways to spend my money that will make a point or improve the world or just not damage and demoralize others. I don't have a lot of discretionary income, but I do have some. I want to use it to support the arts. I also have some resources (my home, my feedback, my attention, my backyard—which is a great place to shoot horror films) that I can give of freely to some and price gouge to others depending on how much harm they have personally caused me and the people I love. (It will be a sliding scale.)
Comfort In/Dump Out
Having Trump as a president hurts everyone, even people who are too dumb to notice. Sad. However, there are definitely people who are more and less vulnerable. Maybe it even varies from day to day depending on what sick hate speech Trump is using to stoke grievance among his morally bankrupt supporters.
Silk's Ring Theory is a model of caring for people in crisis. If (and when) you are targeted and aggrieved, you're in the middle. Take care. Do what you need to do. Don't worry about shoulds/boycotts/speaking out/or anything. Just exist and try to feel ok. When you are on an outer ring, dump out and focus your efforts and resources to comfort in. I'm so furious and disgusted all the time. It helps a little to prioritize when I complain and when I help. I also think it can be really painful for and actually re-injure the person in the middle when you dump to them. Don't do that.
Fashion a Whip/Flip Tables
Regardless of where you are in the ring, things are tough all over and it feels terrible (unless you're too dumb to notice). During the first Trump presidency I felt a strong sense of purpose to promote literacy and compassion. It's different now. I am floundering. I feel a sense of urgency and anxiety to help, but I keep coming up against despair and hopelessness. I am so mad about everything that is happening. I feel maybe like Jesus felt when he saw corruption and exploitation at the temple. He got really mad and flipped some tables. But remember that first he took the time to fashion a whip. Take some time to fashion your whip.
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