A letter to myself
Gruesome Details
When Trump was elected in 2016, I leaned into writing newsletters. My newsletter kept people up to date with the news (a lot of the proven Russiagate stuff, which came to bear last night). I put out calls to action. It was a way for me to feel useful.
After a while, I felt embarrassed. I felt like, perhaps, people did not want to hear from me. I stopped writing. It was a mistake.
Let this, like all things, stand as a testament to how embarrassing I am.
In light of the great fascist awakening coming to its Big Conclusion, I will write earnestly again. (Although I have some great jokes I wrote last night. For the record.)
America is dead. Long live America. The United States many of us knew is functionally over. This is not an exaggeration. If elections occur in 2028 (I am doubtful of this), they will be a sham. This is the plan of the Trump presidency, which models itself on other dictators who use the “president” title: Putin, Orban, etc.
Now is a time for imagination. Fascism cannot last forever. I have history to back me up on that one. Think of all the fascism that ended in the lifetimes of those you love. Jim Crow’s final laws were overturned in 1965. Apartheid (beloved of the entire Musk family) ended in 1991. We are in the “war” part of the class war we live in (which, functionally, most of human society has lived in). But we can win.
Winning begins with imagination. I’d encourage you (and myself) during this time to dive into history. What movements inspire you? What historical moment feels like now? How did those people fight the tyranny in front of them? How can you take similar steps?
If you don’t feel like reading an entire book, I’d encourage you to utilize the Library of Congress website to look up old newspapers. Our problems are not new. Look for yourself in the past and imagine our shared future.
I encourage you (by which I mean myself) to stay earnest. Fascism is a movement of hatred. Hatred burns out. Love, however, is infinite. Lean on it. Lean on those you care for, reach out, tell them honestly how you are feeling. Find community around you.
And, finally, look for those who are already doing the work. Mariame Kaba, one of my favorite activists, has written several books on activism. She also provides up-to-date information on organizing all around the country via social media. You don’t need to remake the wheel. You just need to plug in.
As a we face an uncertain future, it feels terrifying. But we have one another. We have our love for each other. We have history to guide us and our imaginations to lead us forward. We are not without resources. And there are more of us than there are of them (no matter how loudly they scream).