Hi.
I’m writing this because I can feel the heat in my gut turn a glowy red & begin to rise and I have nowhere to put the anger. I know that anger is usually considered a secondary emotion and even in this instance it is true—at the root of this rage is a sadness, a fear. It is hurt.
I saw one headline1 and started to get warm. This starts in the middle of me and spreads to the sparks spitting at my head and feet. I don’t know if anger is a word that does it justice. Heat and awful and this feeling of my bones dragging on the ground behind me—this heavy heavy sensation of having to pull myself along so I don’t collapse. Is that grief? There is that, too.
One of the reasons I am abstaining from social media(and a lot of the internet in general) is because I am tired of my emotions being dictated by the information I digest, and sometimes(a lot of the time) it is information I do not seek out but take in because it is there. I’m thinking of instagram here, mainly. I know others are angry too, and like me they utilize socials as a tool for staying connected(we all have people everywhere, right?). But this anger is spinning its wheels and outgrowing the box, kicking the walls—where do we put it so it doesn’t keep bouncing back at us? Snowball gathering mass as it goes downhill—there’s a lot of performative activism, and I have done it at times myself. So mad that all I can do is repost, or seek out more info about the awful quote or image I saw so that I’m exposing more vulnerability to this thing that is already hurting me. But I’m not really doing anything. It is not something done purposely. I think this is also a part of the plan to divide and de-humanize us. Keep us poor, keep us in a broken system and then break the system more—get the masses worked to a lather. Then let the internal conflicts break apart a budding movement. We get caught in the what-the-fuck of it. We’ve got to start pushing through that part and seek action.
I want to share some things that could benefit anyone/everyone feeling this way. Call it readying oneself for the impending dark of the future. Turn just a bit, away from the chaos and consider what is in your control. We’ve got to protect each other, and we’ve got to protect ourselves. Know your rights.
CPR/AED/First Aid This link will take you to the Red Cross Training website where you can search for classes in your area. Are you already CPR certified? Is your certification up to date? Consider a refresher. Why this is significant? First, it’s just a crucial skill in the arsenal. Second, if you foresee yourself attending any future gatherings, vigils, sit-ins, protests, knowing the basics is useful.
wallet card and know your rights - iAmerica This is a list of rights all people in the US have whether citizen or non-citizen. This is also a link to a wallet-card you can print out and keep with you. This card can serve as protections if police or the immigration question you. Print one out to carry, print one to keep in your residence. Print out a few to give to loved ones.
This link will also take you to info on downloading the KYR App. The Know Your Rights app can read your rights out loud to an ICE or law enforcement agent AND send a message to an emergency contact. It also includes resources such as looking up consulates, and the app is available in 16 languages.
Know Your Rights - ACLU This page also shares your basic rights and breaks them down by issue such as if you are a health care provider(navigating the latest reproductive laws). There are sections going over your rights at the airport, prisoners’ rights, disability rights, LGBTQ rights, etc.
immigrant rights including best practices for protesting this page on the National Immigration Law Center website goes over your rights as an immigrant(undocumented or not) when protesting, as well as information on best practices for things like identifying yourself, digital media privacy, and interactions with law enforcement.
protest safety tips many of us are already familiar with this, but refreshers are always great—never go to a protest unprepared. Shit happens, stuff kicks off sometimes and you may not be expecting it, but if you can prepare, then do. This site gives a list of things you can do before and during to promote safety(such as turning off your face/fingerprint unlock on your phone or bring a burner phone—biometric unlocks can legally be compelled by police sans warrant; a password is covered by your right to remain silent. Had no idea!)
protest tips part 2 This is a link to the Physicians for Human Rights website, which gives tips on what to wear to protect yourself against tear gas and other chemical agents, as well as what to do if you are exposed to these things. There is also a helpful list of things to bring with you if possible(plastic water bottle with squirt top, cash for food or bail, emergency contact info for example).
Being prepared for this administration This covers a lot of information such as knowing your rights at a protest, how to organize before the event(such as establishing safe transportation), de-escalation tips, preventative measures and what to do if you are doxxed or harrassed online.
Learn de-escalation tactics. There are courses you can pay for online, as well as free e-books, and youtube videos covering de-escalation tactics. I think this is another one of those tools which can be utilized in all types of scenarios. I think it is also important to research the de-escalation tactics that is taught to law enforcement
Take a self defense course - Consider taking a self defense class to learn basic skills on keeping yourself safe. Search in your area, as some gyms and martial art studios offer free self-defense classes. I’m booked for one in March.
I will continue to share information as I can. As humans, as a community, we need each other. We are going to continue to need each other. There is a reoccurring theme here in this post—it is the title itself, in fact. Protect each other. Know your rights. Familiarize yourself with them…
…keep this song in your head.
~peace
one headline—one single goddamn headline yanked my breath away.