Hi, welcome

If you're reading this…maybe it will work, and thank you for being amongst the first to sign up.

My ‘maybe this will work’ could be famous last words, as they've preceded most of my later-abandoned or catastrophically crashed but well-intentioned projects*, but in the spirit of trying, let's persist for as long as possible and see where this takes us.

The purpose of this newsletter is to increase engagement in solidarity - as simply as possible.

Ideally it will encourage folks like me (that is to say Pale People of Privilege) to learn to identify our areas of privilege and then leverage them for the benefit of multiply marginalised folks who are deprived of said privileges. Ultimately the plan is (in this dystopian global hellscape) to #KeepFolksAlive.

Nothing's ever that simple, though, and action is at its best when backed up with theory - praxis.

The revolutionary framework I resonate with most, is the Principles of Disability Justice (if you're not familiar, feel free to explore the linked resources at the end of the letter). Following this framework puts me Lefter than many (something I consider a good thing), however I didn't arrive at this place without travelling from my original starting point, which was probably barely even centrist: I spent way too many years firmly and wilfully ignorant of politics i.e. staunchly complicit with the status quo, largely because it felt like such a massive undertaking to learn the ins and outs of!

I eventually realised I couldn't justify my ignorance and complicity any longer, and as the best time to start was years ago, the second best time was ASAP, so I started learning and changing and my outlook went steadily left from there.

I also didn't arrive here alone - it took several villages of people to get me here (with further still to go), and I still firmly believe that becoming any kind of leftist requires community, or at the very least, beneficial, reciprocal relationships.

These are immensely difficult to replicate and sustain online, but the world between the wires has its place - reducing the impact of geographical boundaries and enabling global solidarity action - and I hope you'll keep joining me here as we delve into what is possible.

It’ll be sort of simple, but also sort of difficult, especially when things get deep (which they will, because sometimes there are no shortcuts), but bear in mind that most necessary personal development is difficult, and feeling uncomfortable is often where the learning starts.

Hang on in there with me, and we’ll do our best, together.

Solidarity Spotlight

Person: Jackson Weird

Situation: Chronically homeless and unable to find permanent housing while working, Jackson and his family (2 trans adults, 1 medically retired service dog - Diamond, & 1 ESA cat - Albie) have been living for over a year in a broken down, moldy trailer.

After losing everything in the Fall season of 2024, Jackson has been trying to overcome transphobia in the workplace with little success. He's trying to raise up $7K in order for his wife and him to purchase a mold-free trailer with a lockable door, alongside all the extra expenses that come with registration, tags, and insurance in order to find a safer place to be parked long term at.

Solidarity actions needed: Direct support, sharing of personal posts on socials (please follow everywhere you have an account), comments, replies, & reactions for uplift - get his posts SEEN AND SUPPORTED

Follow and support on: Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, Ko-fi, & Patreon

Links for Learning

The Principles of Disability Justice by Sins Invalid

*there was the blog, the illustrated mushiee rocks, the upcycling, the community garden, the zine, the cake sale, the other blog, oh it’s a long and inglorious list of ways I’ve tried to get people’s attention to this stuff!