Welcome back to Chat Pack, a once-a-month open thread inspired by the Chat Pack discussion cards of my youth. Last time we discussed compliments. I’ll host the next one on June 3rd.
All I’ve been able to think about this week is the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion. I’m not so much scared for myself (I’m white, middle class, and live in Massachusetts), but I’m so disheartened that our country is moving backward in such oppressive ways. I went to a protest on Tuesday night with my sister, bringing our signs still wet with black paint to the steps of the Boston statehouse. And I found some consolation there among the masses of people.
The next night, Wednesday, I went to an open discussion about next steps for the movement to protect Roe, and I felt lifted by the commitment of people who have been fighting for progress longer than I’ve been alive.
But honestly, at the end of it, I still felt so discouraged. By the fact that majority opinion doesn’t count. By the fact that the right has been calculating and waiting for this day when they have stacked the bench to upend an almost 50-year precedent of bodily autonomy, despite the fact that 69% of the country does not want to see Roe overturned. I’m discouraged by the anti-gay and anti-trans legislation being passed concurrently with all the rollbacks to abortion and healthcare access—the unrelenting attacks on people that are not white, cis, male, and straight. I am discouraged by the way democrats use our bodies as bargaining chips for votes. I am discouraged by the empty promises of the dems, the fact that, without an enormous push from the working class, they simply aren’t going end the filibuster or pass the legislation that would codify Roe into law or raise the minimum wage or guarantee universal healthcare or carry out meaningful climate action or any of the other things the people I’ve reluctantly voted for have failed to make good on.
When our systems are so broken, it’s hard to be optimistic about a future America.
So, here’s my question: What is getting you through the days right now? How are you holding onto hope (if you are)? How are you? Spill your heart or your mind. <3
May 7, 2022·edited May 7, 2022Liked by Kate Raphael
The adage that "the Democrats play by the rules, and Republicans play to win" rings truer every day. Nothing changes until that changes.
The beta test was run here in WI starting with the election of Scott Walker as governor. The left failed to take the far-right seriously ("they can't really do that, can they?"), ran a bunch of milquetoast candidates, only to be shocked (shocked!) when we were left with a government that has zero accountability to the majority of WI voters.
The state was torn apart at the seams, and the roads still suck.
What we're seeing now is that program at scale.
I watched complacency be our downfall up here, and now I'm seeing it across the country. I fought it during a labor campaign at my company where a slogan of "shoes, not dues" actually became a thing, and prevailed. And just like WI voters, falling for that resulted in a ton of 2nd order effects my coworkers never saw coming.
So what gives me hope? There is a massive block of people that want to fight but don't know where to start. They're quiet, and they're often in places the party forgets to look, but they're there. And the left needs effective messaging (and for the love of God to stay on message!) to bring them into the fold.
At the same time, they need to start playing to win. No more twee "when they go low..." nonsense. Right now, voting rights, ending the filibuster, and the Women's Health Protection Act need to be the priority. Everything else can wait a minute. And play for keeps. Go to the mat. No more conciliatory behavior towards a group that views us with nothing but contempt.
(exhales)
So what gets me through these days? The idea that there is still at least one person out there willing to give it their all to keep this grand experiment working for all of us. As long as that person exists, there's hope.
I try to channel my energy into action. This a protest tomorrow that I plan to attend, and for the first time since leaving MA, I find myself able to have a political impact. Colorado is generally pro-choice, but we're surrounded by anti-choice states. Should Roe be overturned, we're likely to become the go-to destination for women seeking abortions. That means we need to ensure our abortion funds are well funded and our politicians aren't just nominally pro-choice, but are committed to enabling (and helping) women come from out of state for care.
After all that, I try to "unplug" once the day is done. It's easier for me to do as someone not personally impacted by such a change, but I find I run myself into the ground if I stew in the hate and frustration 24/7. That can be anything from playing video games to reading a novel.
Similar to Kate, I went to a discussion led by the Socialist Alternative on Wednesday about next steps. One thing that has been encouraging / getting me through is not just seeing and hearing from other people fighting for progress, but the realization that there is more I can do. At that meeting, I felt like I was hearing more examples of steps that felt actionable (to me), rather than just overwhelming. I recognize that this (having small steps that individuals can tackle), has always been the case, but I was not personally able to participate as much as I might have liked. I know that burnout is an issue, but am encouraged that I am a fresh body and mind in this fight, ready to pick up where someone else might need to take a step back (which is not to judge or look down on them, this is hard work that is just not always possible for an individual without some let-up/break).
I am trying to keep this sense of agency and belief in my ability to do the work, because otherwise I feel despair. Beyond that, trying to do more activities based on feel -- running more slowly and stopping to look at flowers, getting a milkshake just because, having a dance break to a song I've listened to way too many times.
I think I am still in shock, lo these past 6 years of the nation disintegrating before our eyes. It makes me sick that my teenage nieces probably won't have the same rights I had as a young woman. I don't know how to wake up from this nightmare. I feel powerless. It's terrifying and depressing. On the other hand, it helps to know that many, many other people feel the way I do. I am not a leader, though, so I will have to look to others for direction.
I am getting through these dark days with my cats, music, books, and lots of extra sleep.
I maybe the oldest one commenting. I was in college when Roe v Wade was decided. Am happy to share that perspective another day. I spent the '90s working seriously on women's issues. Today, however, I want to agree with those who decry complacency. We have the smallest possible majority in the Senate. That means 100% must agree to pass even the things that don't have to have 60%. Unanimity is very difficult. Although we have not passed everything we would have liked, we have many judges in place and have made steps forward. Imagine if we didn't have that majority. It is critical to work on campaigns this fall and to be active in Vote Save America. If you live in a "blue state," work on a campaign in a neighboring state. Protesting is good for the soul, but it is the day to day work that makes a different. We have to learn to play the long game. Consider running for office. We have to have sane people on school boards, election offices and other local government jobs. This election is critical to the future of America.
Chat Pack: How are you getting through?
The adage that "the Democrats play by the rules, and Republicans play to win" rings truer every day. Nothing changes until that changes.
The beta test was run here in WI starting with the election of Scott Walker as governor. The left failed to take the far-right seriously ("they can't really do that, can they?"), ran a bunch of milquetoast candidates, only to be shocked (shocked!) when we were left with a government that has zero accountability to the majority of WI voters.
The state was torn apart at the seams, and the roads still suck.
What we're seeing now is that program at scale.
I watched complacency be our downfall up here, and now I'm seeing it across the country. I fought it during a labor campaign at my company where a slogan of "shoes, not dues" actually became a thing, and prevailed. And just like WI voters, falling for that resulted in a ton of 2nd order effects my coworkers never saw coming.
So what gives me hope? There is a massive block of people that want to fight but don't know where to start. They're quiet, and they're often in places the party forgets to look, but they're there. And the left needs effective messaging (and for the love of God to stay on message!) to bring them into the fold.
At the same time, they need to start playing to win. No more twee "when they go low..." nonsense. Right now, voting rights, ending the filibuster, and the Women's Health Protection Act need to be the priority. Everything else can wait a minute. And play for keeps. Go to the mat. No more conciliatory behavior towards a group that views us with nothing but contempt.
(exhales)
So what gets me through these days? The idea that there is still at least one person out there willing to give it their all to keep this grand experiment working for all of us. As long as that person exists, there's hope.
I try to channel my energy into action. This a protest tomorrow that I plan to attend, and for the first time since leaving MA, I find myself able to have a political impact. Colorado is generally pro-choice, but we're surrounded by anti-choice states. Should Roe be overturned, we're likely to become the go-to destination for women seeking abortions. That means we need to ensure our abortion funds are well funded and our politicians aren't just nominally pro-choice, but are committed to enabling (and helping) women come from out of state for care.
After all that, I try to "unplug" once the day is done. It's easier for me to do as someone not personally impacted by such a change, but I find I run myself into the ground if I stew in the hate and frustration 24/7. That can be anything from playing video games to reading a novel.
Similar to Kate, I went to a discussion led by the Socialist Alternative on Wednesday about next steps. One thing that has been encouraging / getting me through is not just seeing and hearing from other people fighting for progress, but the realization that there is more I can do. At that meeting, I felt like I was hearing more examples of steps that felt actionable (to me), rather than just overwhelming. I recognize that this (having small steps that individuals can tackle), has always been the case, but I was not personally able to participate as much as I might have liked. I know that burnout is an issue, but am encouraged that I am a fresh body and mind in this fight, ready to pick up where someone else might need to take a step back (which is not to judge or look down on them, this is hard work that is just not always possible for an individual without some let-up/break).
I am trying to keep this sense of agency and belief in my ability to do the work, because otherwise I feel despair. Beyond that, trying to do more activities based on feel -- running more slowly and stopping to look at flowers, getting a milkshake just because, having a dance break to a song I've listened to way too many times.
I think I am still in shock, lo these past 6 years of the nation disintegrating before our eyes. It makes me sick that my teenage nieces probably won't have the same rights I had as a young woman. I don't know how to wake up from this nightmare. I feel powerless. It's terrifying and depressing. On the other hand, it helps to know that many, many other people feel the way I do. I am not a leader, though, so I will have to look to others for direction.
I am getting through these dark days with my cats, music, books, and lots of extra sleep.
I maybe the oldest one commenting. I was in college when Roe v Wade was decided. Am happy to share that perspective another day. I spent the '90s working seriously on women's issues. Today, however, I want to agree with those who decry complacency. We have the smallest possible majority in the Senate. That means 100% must agree to pass even the things that don't have to have 60%. Unanimity is very difficult. Although we have not passed everything we would have liked, we have many judges in place and have made steps forward. Imagine if we didn't have that majority. It is critical to work on campaigns this fall and to be active in Vote Save America. If you live in a "blue state," work on a campaign in a neighboring state. Protesting is good for the soul, but it is the day to day work that makes a different. We have to learn to play the long game. Consider running for office. We have to have sane people on school boards, election offices and other local government jobs. This election is critical to the future of America.