“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” – Desmond Tutu
By Andrea Loewen
@andreaxuaxua
This month has become a horror movie. First there was a pending nuclear war, ongoing Russian collusion investigations, and an ongoing rush towards climate change disaster. Then Charlottesville happened. The racists have been emboldened and more overt in their violence, and the president refuses to name it. We absolutely must take a stand.
This Month’s Action:
It’s emergency round-up time this month, and so there are three actions.
In cities all over North America, anti-racism rallies are cropping up. Find one in your city. It may be a counterprotest to a racist rally by emboldened white supremacists. One word of caution: don’t forget that cars are weapons now. It’s important to show up, and it’s also important that you stay alive, so keep your eyes and ears peeled while you stand for what’s right.
If you have money, it’s time to donate again. Donate to the Legal Aid Justice Centre, NAACP, or a local legal aid or anti-racism group. Don’t forget about the significant social justice burden carried by people of colour and Indigenous groups when you choose where to give your money.
Get on the phone. By now your local representatives’ staffers know you by name, right? Let them know that it is very important to you that white supremacists be named as the aggressors in Charlottesville, and that you support the removal of racist and Confederate symbols.
This Month’s Reading:
WTF List (Keeping Up With the News):
What the Fuck Just Happened Today: Still the best place for daily updates on the declarations, bills, and other actions made by the Whitehouse.
Trump Says ‘Alt Left’ Also to Blame for Charlottesville Violence: First he said “many sides”, and then he said that the leftist protesters were the violent ones.
House Democrats Push Trump to Fire Staffers Who Support White Supremacy: You may be asking yourself, “Does that mean Trump would have to fire himself?” Who knows, but there are staffers with direct ties to white supremacist groups, so let’s get rid of them first, and if we lose Trump in the process, bonus!
‘God Has Given Trump Authority to Take Out Kim Jong Un’ Evangelical Advisors Say: Just in case you forgot about the whole “nuclear war” business.
More Than Half of Republicans Would Support Postponing the 2020 Election if Trump Called for It: They are also pretty confident about the prevalence of voter fraud and that Trump won a majority.
US Federal Department is Censoring Use of Term ‘Climate Change’: Because if we don’t say it, it’s not really there.
Action Inspo and Instructionals:
Let these alternate guides and examples of resistance inspire you!
What We Need White Allies to Do About the White Supremacists in Virginia: For the white readers out there, here is some background and suggestions on how to help.
Trumpy the Rat in NYC: Just another artist protest!
Lawsuit Opposes Trump’s Ban on Transgender Military Service: Their claim is that the ban is unconstitutional.
This Week in the Patriarchy: I highly recommend subscribing to Jessica Valenti’s This Week in the Patriarchy emails. You’ll feel like you have a smart gal pal to poke fun of and inform you about what is happening.
Safety Pin Box: If you want to financially support Black liberation while giving practical help, the Safety Pin Box may be the subscription box for you.
Analysis, Opinion, and Enrichment:
These will help you better understand how what’s feeding the madness and expose you to perspectives different from your own (regardless of their direct connection to Trump’s madness).
Whose Heritage? Public Symbols of the Confederacy: A bit of background to the movement to remove Confederate symbols.
Charlottesville – Race and Terror: Want to watch a terrifying documentary? Here’s one.
Naomi Klein: The Worst is Yet to Come With Trump So We Must Be Ready for Shock Politics: Raise your hand if Naomi Klein’s No Logo was your resistance guide in the late 90s! Our girl is back with more insights and advice.
Why Black America Isn’t Worried About the Upcoming Nuclear Holocaust: “Black people have lived under the specter of having our existence erased on a white man’s whim since we stepped onto the shore at Jamestown Landing.”
Do Trans People Cost the Military More Money?: Short answer is not really.
Andrea is a Vancouver-based writer, theatre producer and promoter, choreographer, and yoga instructor with a big dose of love for sci fi/fantasy, her cat, green tea, riding her bike no matter the weather, and using a robot to vacuum her floors so she doesn’t have to. She covers dance for Vancouver Presents, as well as writing for her own blog, The Receptionist and co-producing and co-hosting the podcast Life, Right? www.andrealoewen.com
