Dearest Community,
Everyday, I oscillate between doomscrolling and living my life.
Yesterday morning, I saw a video of an elderly Palestinian man passing out while waiting for food at a distribution site. The caption said that’s how he died—likely from starvation, surrounded by other desperate people trying to secure sustenance for their loved ones.
Then I got up and made my morning coffee.
At night, while lying in bed, I watched a video of a child in Gaza licking something she found from a pile of garbage. Her hair unbrushed, her whole body covered in sandy dust. I scrolled past it, unable to finish the video, then saw a different video capturing a harrowing scene of a child and his mother wailing, watching his father be forcibly abducted by ICE.
I tossed and turned, but eventually fell asleep after checking my calendar for the next day.
Everyday, I ask myself, “how the hell am I supposed to function right now?” and yet, somehow I find a way. I respond to emails and show up to meetings, all while holding what feels like a lifetime worth of grief.
At a recent live recording event, I talked about the harm this level of cognitive dissonance causes on all of us. I talked about how terrified I am to see so many people severing themselves from the brutal truths of injustice so they can function in this capitalist world. Because there’s a cost whenever we compartmentalize and disconnect—not only to the justice movement, but also to ourselves and our collective humanity.
In this time of growing political trauma, I’ve been thinking a lot about the distance between courage and fear. And the connection between the personal and the collective. How they are all interconnected, and how the only real answer to this horrifying predicament we find ourselves in is to tune inward so that we can connect outward. Because when more of us understand and acknowledge our fears, the easier it becomes to be courageous together. And collective action and being in community—with people who don’t require you to perform—is the salve we need right now.
More and more, I am convinced that legacy institutions and “law and order” do not keep us safe, especially when they’ve been co-opted by those who do not consider every human life sacred. I grew up believing following the rules and obeying authority keeps me safe. But then I saw how often “leaders” abuse their power. Or how often the law gets weaponized to diminish basic human rights. Too often, the very institutions we entrusted to protect us end up being stewards of oppression and violence themselves.
So what truly keeps us safe? And how do we move toward the kind of world we want to see—one that is far more just, liberatory, and loving—at a time when so many are feeling defeated and powerless?
Well, my friends, those are some of the questions I explored in the season finale (!) of I Feel That Way Too, which just dropped this morning. I interviewed one of my favorite Transformative Justice educators and disability justice activists of our time—Mia Mingus—and I couldn’t be more honored.
Ultimately, this episode is about us. How we keep us safe. How we give each other our dignity back. How we show up again and again, not because of our righteous rage, but our expansive and profound love for one another. The episode is about healing. All of us, truly, healing.
There is so much violence and chaos all around us today. And the air of despair and panic is seeping into us whether we give words to them or not. But don’t let that be the only thing entering your heart and mind. Be intentional about also letting in tenderness and hope. Courage and community care.
Because the truth is, so many people are waking up and mobilizing every single day. We are organizing and showing up with intensity and dedication. As I always say, every site of oppression is also a site of resistance and possibility.
I hope you fill yourself up with whatever makes you feel alive today. As always, thank you for being here.
In community,
Michelle
P.S. If this newsletter sparked something in you, spread the love by forwarding it to a friend who can use a little bit of hope today! 💛
✨ Courage Collective ✨
Our third Courage Collective Debrief Session (for Episode 3. "Who Am I Without My Job?”) was so raw and inspiring. Thank you to everyone who joined ❤️ !!
❤️ On My Radar & Heart:
The Sameer Project is a Palestinian led initiative supplying aid to displaced families in Gaza. Consider donating here for urgent medical supplies.
This post of mine went mega viral on Instagram and it’s been heartwarming to see hundreds of people share how they’ve been feeling. Check out the comment section if you want to feel less alone.
Were you fired for speaking up for human rights? Check out this recruiting website connecting principled people with values-aligned organizations.
[Bonus] This is a goldmine for equity-oriented facilitators. So many exercises!
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