Resources for Right Now

This is a shit show. No denying that.

I've been struggling with what to do. What actions to take. What, if anything, will work? Is anyone doing anything? (Sherrilyn Ifill answers that question – "Yes. And You Can Too.")

I believe in humans. I know that.

I am choosing to focus on what is in my control. You may not be able to. That's okay. It's okay to not be okay. It's okay to be overwhelmed. It's okay to be scared. I am, too. But I refuse to panic. And I refuse to obey in advance (thank you Timothy Snyder).

Here are some things I know to be true, and some resources for right now.

1. Do something. It doesn't have to be protesting or marching. It can be taking a walk or taking food to a neighbor. Just do something that makes you feel good (and hopefully gets you outside, if you're able). Don't just sit there and doomscroll.
2. News sources matter. Doomscrolling is terrible for you – use that time doing something fun or taking action, instead. Here is how I'm managing my newsfeed.
   1. I removed all social media except Bluesky (and I have notifications turned off for that app).
   2. I reinstalled an old standby RSS reader, NetNewsWire. Excellent, easy to use, and free without a bunch of annoying ads. Add your own trusted sources and read at your control, not the algorithms'.
   3. I don't panic. If I read or hear something, I breathe, then decide if it's worth looking up. If yes, I look to trusted sources for confirmation (see list below). We're inundated with alerts and urgent news – take a breath before you react. I learned a lot about breathing from Thich Nhat Hanh.
3. Be kind. We're all enduring whatever the fuck this is. Be kind.

News sources I trust

• Kottke. He has shifted to primarily coup-related news for right now. When we get through this, it's a great site for all kinds of clever, fun, and interesting content.
• Heather Cox Richardson – America's best explainer of right now.
• Timothy Snyder – telling it like it is. Be sure to read "Twenty Lessons on Tyranny" and "Of course it's a coup."
• NextDraft – a nice summary of critical, fact-checked news and commentary, along with some random bits from around the world (and universe) – a worthwhile blend.

Resources for right now

• Solidarity Not Charity: Mutual Aid for Mobilization and Survival (and other writings from Dean Spade)
• Fight back with Indivisible
• 5Calls – so easy, why not?
• Insight Timer – helps me breathe, relax, and get to sleep
• Libraries – university or local – rich with resources to learn from or escape to
• The Marginalian – all kinds of good stories

Here if you need me.

☮️❤️