Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.
—Dale Carnegie
Hi, all, and happy Friday!
I say “happy,” but I’m going to be real: I’ve been struggling the last couple of days. I don’t get down often, but this week my mental health took a bit of a dip. The news out of Ukraine, the attacks on LGBTQ people, the abortion bans, the Republican plaudits for dictators…it’s a lot. Yesterday I fell in a funk that even the confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson couldn’t completely lift me out of.
Of course, I spent the day doing everything I’d committed to (I stayed so busy, in fact, that I sent a copy of the day’s activities to my Patreon sponsors so they could see they were getting their money’s worth 😂). And it helped. Phonebanking into North Carolina helped. Running my Arizona phonebank helped. Attending the DDAD function helped.
But nothing quite lifted the gloom.
And again, I consider myself to be quite resilient emotionally.
So I want to reach out to all of you, because if I’m feeling this way I’m assuming some of you might be as well. And I want to offer something that helps me during particularly tough times—just a little slogan I use when my current emotional state—and/or the state of the world— feels intolerable.
It is, simply: “This, too, shall pass.”
Things feel incredibly tough right now. And action does help, a lot. But a certain amount of grief over a world mired in strain, conflict and fear is normal and natural. I survive it not by denying it, but by admitting it, and embracing the humanity I share with all of you.
I look for ways to connect, to empathize with others, to feel gratitude.
And I wait, knowing that the only constant in this world is change.
What direction will that change take?
THAT is up to me. That’s why I act no matter what.
This too, shall pass. It’s my job—all of ours—to make sure it passes the right way.
Sending love and hugs. Now let’s get to work.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m horrified by the attacks on LGBTQ folks happening across the country, most recently in Alabama. I want the Senate to pass S 393, the Equality Act now. It’s high time that LGBTQ Americans had the same protections under the law that other marginalized communities do. Will the Senator support and co-sponsor this bill? [If yes thank. If not give them hell. If you’re on a voicemail ask for an answer in writing].
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I understand that the US Senate voted unanimously yesterday to advance a lend-lease policy making it easier to speed US weapons to Ukraine. The bill still has to pass the House, and I hope the Congressmember will support it. I want us to do everything we possibly can to help the Ukrainians. The slaughter of unarmed civilians there is completely sickening. Please push President Biden to do everything in his power to sanction Russia and help Ukraine. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
After this morning’s bombing of the Kramatorsk train station I’m newly set on shaming the companies STILL doing business in Russia. International Paper is one of the most shocking—it simply won’t budge.
I think it’s time for a new round of letters.
I know we’ve written IP already, but in light of the new level of depravity happening in Ukraine I feel the need to do something. Click here to send the email I sent them (please edit and personalize).
Want to do it manually? Write to chris.keuleman@ipaper.com, brenda.jones@ipaper.com, Amy.Simpson@ipaper.com, guillermo.gutierrez@ipaper.com, david.higgins@ipaper.com, michele.vargas@ipaper.com.
I said:
To the leadership team at International Paper,
I'm writing once more, having just read news of the Kramatorsk train station filled with fleeing families that was bombed this morning. Are you aware that the remains of one of the rockets had the words “for our children” written on it in Russian?
I have already written once to ask your company to pull out of Russia. There was ample reason a month ago, but since then we've seen mass killings of unarmed civilians by Putin's forces. Mothers. Children.
I want you to know that, for as long as I live I will associate International Paper with these senseless, brutal, possibly genocidal killings. And I'll make sure that everyone I know does as well.
You've put profit over humanity. Shame on you.
Get Smart! 📚
Save the date! 📆
Students For Justice is a grassroots, non partisan effort whose focus is on educating college students in becoming politically active, mobilizing others to register to vote, and developing marketing strategies to preserve democracy. They also create internships through which they give college students stipends, job skills and mentors.
They’re having a virtual open house on Monday, May 2nd from 6:30-7:30pm EST on Zoom, and CWCW readers are invited! RSVP Angela Mazur at ajm670engage@gmail.com if you’d like to attend. And if you can’t, please consider checking out the website and signing up to help or give money.
Win Races! 🗳
Hey! Cool! Sister District is having an informational series focused on phonebanks! Each 30 minute lunchtime session is designed to help organizers and volunteers learn more about the ways phonebanking helps campaigns & how to make the most of this particular tactic. All sessions are over Zoom, 1:00 -1:30 pm ET. The first one should be good for all who are phone-bank-curious (and I know you are!), but afraid to start.
Why Phonebank?: April 26 & May 24
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.)
[to all 3 reps] [quick send Text PTIQMP to 50409]
I’m writing to ask you to vote yes on the packages of bills to reign in big tech that are coming to both the House and Senate in the next couple of weeks. This legislation is URGENTLY needed.
Most Americans—including me— agree that Big Tech corporations like Facebook, Google and Amazon have grown too big, too powerful and too invasive. They use their monopoly power to collect personal information on ordinary Americans and make billions invading our privacy.
And we all know that Amazon – and Tech billionaires like Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos— haven’t paid a dime in federal income tax on Amazon’s $29 billion in earnings for two years. That’s totally unacceptable.
But Big Tech lobbyists are swarming the Capitol to oppose the legislation. So I want you to hear from me. I want this legislation. Millions of us do. We expect Congress to pass it. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess
Jessica- thank you for sharing and yes we have all felt this- some days worse than others - but for me and no pressure- you are my beacon of hope every day. By all the work you do, I can do the list each day which helps me know I am doing something and on some days - more than something. But I could not do it without you. You make it possible and easy. I really cannot say thank you enough for giving all your time and effort. And when I join phone banks, or text banks, or big tent events I see more people and am heartened by those who attend and are fighting the fight too. I only know of these events because of you, and I find more because of you. Big, Big hugs are being sent to you with all the thanks I can wrap in them. ❤️❤️❤️
Jessica, thanks for all you do. And for the honesty of today's post. As a progressive activist working in Florida since 2017, I've struggled with days like yours. Your posts often help. So does this Wendell Berry poem:
The Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.