Wednesday's one thing: "A bigger we."

Julia Smith

Julia Smith

— 1 min read

Chicago-based writer and trainer (and really great friend) LaTanya Lane wrote this poem.

Backdrop of a huge crowd protesting in a city. Text reads: When authoritarians come around, First things first, we slow them down. We muck things up, we misdirect, We interfere, we object. We gather strength, we create ties, We make our targets, we organize. When authoritarians cross our red lines, Then we know it’s time to fight. Not with guns and not with fists, We know more strategic ways to resist. The strongest way to defeat their hate? Collectively we don’t cooperate. We strike, we boycott, we block their raids, We sing, we connect, we build mutual aid. Pillar by pillar we remove their power, When we refuse to consent - every day, every hour. It starts simply - with a clear no, That grows and grows and grows and grows. Until authoritarians cannot rule and so they leave, Then the people can celebrate and heal and grieve. And move towards a future built by Team Democracy, A better future, with a bigger we.
The image has alt text. You can share this, from @readwritereviserepeat, on IG if you're there.

If you're in Chicago, you might see a version around town with "ICE" in place of "authoritarians."

P.S.

You're not imagining things; I took a hiatus from posting during some late summer shake-ups in routine. I plan to post semi-regularly through the fall, but have been mulling how to keep this habit sustainable as I show up IRL in various ways. Work in progress.

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