#59: our fight is not over
the show MUST go on
hi hi hi sisters ❤️🩹 like most of you, i’ve had a heavy heart this week. the election results were not what was anticipated or hoped for, and that is leaving many of us scared and incredibly uncertain about what is to come for the fate of our country and the citizens within it
I want to fill my newsletter this week with inspirational resources and some ways for us to feel empowered and to feel like we can press onward, forward, and upward
continuing on with keeping the recommendations section to recommendations for different substacks that I read. I find it to be really important to support small “businesses” (that sounds odd to use here, but maybe influencers is another word I can use?) and one way I can do that is by sharing about them!
this week I want to share the substack called
by . Sharon is a teacher who wants to wants us to better understand history and the context of issues we should care about- you might know her from her very popular instagram account, sharon says so. the preamble is a daily newsletter that will help anyone feel like they can understand what is happening with politics and the government in the united states. its more important than ever to not be a-political, because politics impact EVERY aspect of our lives. here is a recent post that she wrote about post-election thoughts.
movies: started off this week by watching conclave, its a drama about the catholic church when they have to vote for a new pope because the recent pope has just passed away. and oh my goodness, I LOVED it- and not just because stanley tucci is in it. I thought it was 1) incredibly shot (like beautiful), 2) the acting was phenomenal, 3) the storyline was incredibly engaging and very interesting, 4) I was so enamored with what I was witnessing, I dont know much about the catholic church, despite being baptized catholic as a baby, so it was so interesting to see the quirks of a religion in comparison to what I know about other religions. also its only PG so like EVERYONE should see it haha. I continued on with my religion movies by watching the new mormon missionary thriller/horror film, heretic. i’m not the biggest scary movie person, it really is a hit or miss on what I can handle without being too spooked, but this one was digestible. the first half was not scary at all, like youre on edge, but nothing really happens that would scare you, the second half is where the action and gore happen. I LOVED the sister missionaries, like so so so much. truly saw my missionary self in them, which was interesting. i’m glad I saw it, and maybe i’ll watch it again sometime, but it probably wont be anytime soon. hugh grant was also perfectly creepy. and for movie church, my friends and I watched when harry met sally, a perfect fall movie. meg ryan is PERFECTION and the vibes I want to achieve in life.
podcasts: I really loved this episode of Pod Save America, which is a podcast that focuses on conversations regarding american politics and the hosts are Obama era aides
music: finally getting out of my music rut by discovering a new artist, her name is nell mescal (yes shes the sister of paul mescal). shes an irish artist and kinda reminds me of carol ades. she doesnt have much music out but I really like her EP. also have been listening to a lot of women empowerment songs including the Suffs musical cast recording.
in my mind: this checklist from our best gal-pal bluey ♡
also here is an article on 10 ways to be prepared and grounded for what may come within the next 4 years under Trump
first and foremost, I want to thank Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, for giving me hope. it was the first time in a long time in which hope felt like it was within grasp when before it had always felt out of reach. I haven’t felt that much hope in a long long long time, and it was beautiful to have. she was not a perfect candidate by any means, and I disagreed with her stance and participation in the genocide in Gaza, but by god i had hope that she was going to win this thing. and that america would be in a better place because of her. its so frustrating to see how many people held Kamala Harris to a higher standard than Trump; it makes me sick to my stomach. she was more qualified, more eloquent, kinder, more loving, well spoken, accomplished, and it still wasn’t enough.
so i was going to put some of my favorite lines from Kamala’s concession speech, but I was basically just copying and pasting the whole thing. so instead, please watch it, because it is POWERFUL, empowering, and continues to give me hope.
mobilize, participate in marches, look out for those around you
You have the capacity to do extraordinary good in the world. And so to everyone who is watching, do not despair. This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize, and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together.
look into ways to help women get access to abortions when they live in a state that won’t allow them to get one
volunteer at Planned Parenthood (NYC specific link here)
inspirational quotes:
“A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few. Ignoring these cries and failing to respond to this movement is simply not an option — for peace cannot exist where justice is not served.” — John Lewis
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” — Martin Luther King, Jr
“If one really wishes to know how justice is administered in a country, one does not question the policemen, the lawyers, the judges, or the protected members of the middle class. One goes to the unprotected — those, precisely, who need the law’s protection most! — and listens to their testimony.” — Baldwin
“Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.” — Thurgood Marshall
“I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people.” ― Rosa Parks (Kaitlynn Olivas)
“When I liberate myself, I liberate others. If you don’t speak out ain’t nobody going to speak out for you.” — Fannie Lou Hamer
“I learned that racism, like most systems of oppression, isn’t about bad people doing terrible things to people who are different from them but instead is a way of maintaining power for certain groups at the expense of others.” ― Alicia Garza
tiktok: community events like this make me so happy; next craft night
pinterest: everyone this week; we are worth the mess;
instagram: hope takes work; the world will ALWAYS need more love
I’ll end with Ms. Harris’ words herself: “The adage is, only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case. But here's the thing, America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars. The light, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service. And may that work guide us even in the face of setbacks toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America.”
