As a survivor of childhood trauma & the black sheep of the family, I honestly feel nothing but validated by you saying very simply & very directly what I’ve known to be true for a long time: no one is coming to save you. Be the hero of your own story. While a heavy realization, once we understand this to be true it’s quite liberating, at least in my experience anyway. Realizing that just because someone is “in charge” doesn’t make them any smarter or more qualified than you to tackle a problem that needs tackling. There’s freedom and permission in that. And maybe, just maybe, as someone who’s had their rights infringed upon, perhaps that makes you the MOST qualified voice in the room.
While I’m having loads of FOMO about not attending a No Kings Day rally, I’ll be resisting through joy & celebration by volunteering at San Mateo County’s Pride Event tomorrow. If I won’t be hitting the pavement in protest, I can’t think of a better way to spend the day, with some Queens on No Kings Day 🌈💖
Thank you for always giving it to us straight. Literally with you xxoo
And so are my parents, my cousins and my friends. We got signs n' shit, noise makers. Fired up. Also gonna send postcards to Senators. And volunteer, and donate. And spread love and education/wisdom. Fiercely. Thank you💚
You are constantly consistently insightfully leading. Shared your email with many. Thank you for pointing us in the right direction with clarity, and always humor. 🙏🏻
I now have "Eye of the Tiger" as an ear worm after reading this...(yes I was 17 when "Rocky" came out so that's my frame of reference for being the underdog, lol- and I just googled and found out that the song was the theme for Rocky III which I never saw so I am jumbled but still fired up).
I look forward to tomorrow, thanks for the reminder of who we are- and I'll see you here in Seattle at your show!
Yeah, I remember when Henry Rollins was a fox...he's still a mensch. <3
I caught some of the parade. Tanks on rugs in front of the presidential pavilion. (No kidding!) But at least they included the future of the military: lots of drones!
Thank you for every word of this. I read it before going out today and again when I came back from our march in San Diego. I saw a lot of heroes there and feel hopeful.
1. thought of you while enjoying the shit out of Cult of Personality playing loud, start to finish, through the sound-system at my corner grocery. Made standing in a stupid-long line totally worth it. How 'bout that crazy misfit market?!
2. discuss: Moana. i watched this dozens of times with my granddaughter, and know i was more into it than she was.
This 70+ white guy appreciates your words of truth and challenge. It is a white guy mess…from day one. An Old Testament prophet says, I paraphrase, we have been sent, individually, to proclaim liberty to captives and release to prisoners. That’s what we do today, as regular folk, just me and a million other me.
Yes, yes, yes! And I'd love to send you a copy of a little book that came through me with a concrete plan for what we can do. Somehow it's good (endorsed by Cornel West, Joanna Macy, labor organizer Clarence Thomas, etc.). I think you'd find it up your alley (as I find your work up mine!) and kinda hope you'd help get it into the hands of others who could make use of it. Maybe you could DM me on how to get it to you?
-Support statehood for DC. DC has about 700,000 residents. It’s not as diverse as it was when I moved here from Ohio nearly 50 years ago. We vote 94-97% Dem. The DC Bar Assn just rejected Pam Bondi’s brother as their Pres 34,000 to fewer than 4K. We have only a GREAT albeit non-voting Delegate, civil rights activist, Eleanor Holmes Norton. We have an elected “shadow Senator” whose name I forgot and have no idea what shadow they cast. We are in danger of losing more rights to Congress. Support us.
-June is DeafBlind Pride Month. Remember as rights are removed by EOs, people with disabilities are in great danger. You can see on LI those with whom I’m connected who support many. Learn more. Teach more.
-Juneteenth this coming week: support national or local activities. I fear now that the birthday party’s done, he, Miller, others of the racist regime may notice and do something bad. Keep it going. Celebrate freedom!
-Support theDREAM.us, run by the amazing Gaby Pacheco. Gaby is a super heroine! DREAMERs are being detained. We need them. They, us.
-Support Military Religious Freedom Foundation, Mikey Weinstein’s group. There are good folks in the military who are being forced to follow horrendous orders.
Money is tight for many of us. Substacks are a needed luxury. For those (of us), forced to retire (me, recently, at 78 after 44 years of self employment; before that NGOs, and Long COVID for 2 yrs, 3 months) with not great social security “entitlements” (!) we have to choose among roof, meds, food and democracy. Every little bit helps. To Substack writers who allow engagement even if lowest payment or none, you are doing a great mitzvah. We need more community involvement to not give up.
To a week of more of us, fewer of them, and Kamau Forever!
As a survivor of childhood trauma & the black sheep of the family, I honestly feel nothing but validated by you saying very simply & very directly what I’ve known to be true for a long time: no one is coming to save you. Be the hero of your own story. While a heavy realization, once we understand this to be true it’s quite liberating, at least in my experience anyway. Realizing that just because someone is “in charge” doesn’t make them any smarter or more qualified than you to tackle a problem that needs tackling. There’s freedom and permission in that. And maybe, just maybe, as someone who’s had their rights infringed upon, perhaps that makes you the MOST qualified voice in the room.
While I’m having loads of FOMO about not attending a No Kings Day rally, I’ll be resisting through joy & celebration by volunteering at San Mateo County’s Pride Event tomorrow. If I won’t be hitting the pavement in protest, I can’t think of a better way to spend the day, with some Queens on No Kings Day 🌈💖
Thank you for always giving it to us straight. Literally with you xxoo
I'm with you.
And so are my parents, my cousins and my friends. We got signs n' shit, noise makers. Fired up. Also gonna send postcards to Senators. And volunteer, and donate. And spread love and education/wisdom. Fiercely. Thank you💚
You are constantly consistently insightfully leading. Shared your email with many. Thank you for pointing us in the right direction with clarity, and always humor. 🙏🏻
I ❤️ Alice Wong. Time to revisit “Disability Visibility” and “Year of the Tiger.” 👊🏼
I'm on it, not to worry. No Kings Ventura tomorrow! I'm going to walk my little neighborhood when I get back 🙂
I now have "Eye of the Tiger" as an ear worm after reading this...(yes I was 17 when "Rocky" came out so that's my frame of reference for being the underdog, lol- and I just googled and found out that the song was the theme for Rocky III which I never saw so I am jumbled but still fired up).
I look forward to tomorrow, thanks for the reminder of who we are- and I'll see you here in Seattle at your show!
You mentioned Henry Rollins. Today I blasted Black Flag’s “Rise Above” on repeat, and I plan to do the same tomorrow.
Agreed WKB…don’t ever take for granted the power of the vote…it’s the only sure way to drain the swamp members from either party!
Yeah, I remember when Henry Rollins was a fox...he's still a mensch. <3
I caught some of the parade. Tanks on rugs in front of the presidential pavilion. (No kidding!) But at least they included the future of the military: lots of drones!
Thank you for every word of this. I read it before going out today and again when I came back from our march in San Diego. I saw a lot of heroes there and feel hopeful.
dude, three things:
1. thought of you while enjoying the shit out of Cult of Personality playing loud, start to finish, through the sound-system at my corner grocery. Made standing in a stupid-long line totally worth it. How 'bout that crazy misfit market?!
2. discuss: Moana. i watched this dozens of times with my granddaughter, and know i was more into it than she was.
3. Rollins video clip: perfection.
THANK YOU for all you do. xo
This 70+ white guy appreciates your words of truth and challenge. It is a white guy mess…from day one. An Old Testament prophet says, I paraphrase, we have been sent, individually, to proclaim liberty to captives and release to prisoners. That’s what we do today, as regular folk, just me and a million other me.
I agree totally and I’ll keep doing this forever because there’s always that 30% of knuckleheads and the evil powers to contend with.
Yes, yes, yes! And I'd love to send you a copy of a little book that came through me with a concrete plan for what we can do. Somehow it's good (endorsed by Cornel West, Joanna Macy, labor organizer Clarence Thomas, etc.). I think you'd find it up your alley (as I find your work up mine!) and kinda hope you'd help get it into the hands of others who could make use of it. Maybe you could DM me on how to get it to you?
In any event, thanks for all you do!
Hey, I'll see you Sunday at Berkeley Rep! It's been too long since I was at one of your events. . .
A few adds to “to do for democracy”:
-Support statehood for DC. DC has about 700,000 residents. It’s not as diverse as it was when I moved here from Ohio nearly 50 years ago. We vote 94-97% Dem. The DC Bar Assn just rejected Pam Bondi’s brother as their Pres 34,000 to fewer than 4K. We have only a GREAT albeit non-voting Delegate, civil rights activist, Eleanor Holmes Norton. We have an elected “shadow Senator” whose name I forgot and have no idea what shadow they cast. We are in danger of losing more rights to Congress. Support us.
-June is DeafBlind Pride Month. Remember as rights are removed by EOs, people with disabilities are in great danger. You can see on LI those with whom I’m connected who support many. Learn more. Teach more.
-Juneteenth this coming week: support national or local activities. I fear now that the birthday party’s done, he, Miller, others of the racist regime may notice and do something bad. Keep it going. Celebrate freedom!
-Support theDREAM.us, run by the amazing Gaby Pacheco. Gaby is a super heroine! DREAMERs are being detained. We need them. They, us.
-Support Military Religious Freedom Foundation, Mikey Weinstein’s group. There are good folks in the military who are being forced to follow horrendous orders.
Money is tight for many of us. Substacks are a needed luxury. For those (of us), forced to retire (me, recently, at 78 after 44 years of self employment; before that NGOs, and Long COVID for 2 yrs, 3 months) with not great social security “entitlements” (!) we have to choose among roof, meds, food and democracy. Every little bit helps. To Substack writers who allow engagement even if lowest payment or none, you are doing a great mitzvah. We need more community involvement to not give up.
To a week of more of us, fewer of them, and Kamau Forever!