Updates & Protest Photos from Yesterday's March & What to Expect from Me in the Coming Months
I can't go about my life pretending that our current administration doesn't keep calling the field I work in (DE&I) "fraudulent," "illegal," "criminal," and "anti-Americanism."
Today, I want to thank my readers for supporting me over the past few weeks (since the inauguration).
Most of my content has been very political and aimed at recent events in the US (despite having an international audience). Because of this, I'm even more grateful for those willing to stick with me, especially those who live far away from the dystopian nightmare we currently face.
Trust me, I want nothing more than to return to business as usual. However, with each passing day since the new administration took over, I am pushed further and further into survival mode.
I want (more than anything) to go back to writing my book and collaborating with changemakers who want to make the world a kinder, more inclusive space for all of us. However, my work (and even who I am) is under attack, and we don't stand up and fight now; I worry about what will come in the future.
I've had some pushback.
Given current events, this blog has taken what I feel is a necessary turn for the time being. However, some people (primarily those outside of the United States or who haven't been impacted by the current administration... yet) have complained over the current political nature of my content and having to read about events they don't feel "are relevant to them."
There are some people in the world today who aren't as worried (about the survival of both myself and the world) as I am. These people don't have the space or energy to give me (online or in real life) -people who can afford to "tune out" of the news and current events because, due to their privileges, tuning out doesn't endanger their livelihoods or lives.
These people (who live in a world I can't relate to) would like me to continue with "business as usual"—despite nothing being "usual" in my life (and many people's lives) right now. However, I can't go on like everything is fine when it's clear to me how "un-fine" everything is.
I can't go about my life pretending that our current administration doesn't keep calling the field I work in (DE&I) "fraudulent," "illegal," "criminal," and "anti-Americanism."
For example, when Trump proudly declared on day one, "There are only 2 genders," or when Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, recently accused South Africa of "anti-Americanism, on Twitter" calling its dedication to "promoting solidarity, equality, & sustainability" pointing out these items fall under DE&I and climate change and implying these values are "anti-Americanism.
"South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote 'solidarity, equality, & sustainability.' In other words: DEI and climate change," Rubio said on Twitter recently. "My job is to advance America's national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism," - implying DE&I and taking care of the earth is anti-American.
Additionally, just yesterday, the DOJ was instructed to begin to "Criminally Investigate Companies That Do DEI," leaving me and the work I've loved doing (and built my life around) for the past five years now in a grey area.
America is not okay, and neither am I.
Until something changes, this blog will have a very different feel.
Please stick with me for the ride as I do my best to keep track of what's happening (and what's not being widely covered in mainstream news and media), like the protests that happened all over the United States this week.
People are Rising Up!
Did you know in all 50 states, people gathered at their capitol buildings to protest the current fascist administration?
I attended the protest in Austin, Texas, yesterday. Below are some of the photos I took at the event.
Here’s me in my protest gear… good things to have are face coverings, and tools to hide your cellphone signals, like a fair-day-bag, (or keep your phone in airplane mode) to avoid being tacked by government surveillance tools.
There were many great signs yesterday. It was good to be surrounded with other people who “get it” and can see what’s wrong with America right now.
There was a decent turnout, though I didn’t stay for the entire event, as I was in a borrowed vehicle that had to be returned to it’s owner (since I don’t have a car at the moment).
I spent most of my time at the event chasing around 3 cops, who had weapons and zip-cuffs ready to go, despite the protest being peaceful.
Watch this tyrant playing with his rifle in a crowd.
And these clowns with their Zip-ties, ready to torture people.
These three kept flanking the crowd, using intimidation, and merging into the protest, so I followed them everywhere, filming them until the would go hide by their cars because I know I have privilege and will throw that around whenever tyrants are present.
People are waking up!
People are waking up… and waking up as many people as possible to fight this is, in my opinion, our only hope. We have to reach class-consciousness NOW, before it’s too late.
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I hope this helps,
- Lyric
I’m from the UK and I have absolutely zero problems with you focussing on, and continuing to post about, the utter horror-fest that’s unfolding in the US. Just because none of the horrors are being directed at me, personally, at the moment, it doesn’t mean it’s not affecting me. And unless the rest of the world wakes up, learns from the things that you’re all doing, and takes note of what works and what doesn’t, then we won’t be prepared for the very real possibility that the craziness will spread to our shores as well. Unfortunately, there seem to be sh*threads with the same mentality the world over. Plus the capacity for billionaires to interfere in global affairs beyond the borders of where they happen to live, means that we need to beware and stay informed all the more.
Thank you for all you’re doing and sharing.
Wishing you strength, wisdom, and the solidarity and support of those around you.
Hi! I'm in Aotearoa New Zealand & greatly appreciate Americans who are talking about reality--there's so much trash out there & protest posts were getting crushed on social media. I'm surprised you've gotten pushback, people can be so unempathetic.
The craziness of America right now has to be the topic of discussion. No country is immune to this story, that's why it's a recurring one.
It seeps into the themes I'm writing about at the moment--I'm sure our prime minister will kiss Trump's arse. It's scary. Especially scary for me as a poor, queer, disabled person. But it should be scary for every New Zealander, and if it's not, they're not looking at reality & using logic 😔