Two Things to Know About What’s Happening in the U.S.

How do you feel? The news cycle feels like a tornado that is sweeping us all. But here there are two things that I have in front of what is happening in the US. Uu. At this time (and please share your thoughts in the comments) …

1. Stay stable, stay focused. The Trump administration created a specific plan to start its second term: shock and amazement. They thought the media would flood and overwhelm the public, so we would confuse so much that we would not know what to do and then only … freeze.

“If you overwhelm the media, if you give it too many places, you must look, all at once, if you keep it in motion of a thing to the next, a coherent opposition cannot arise,” said Ezra Klein in her podcast last Sunday .

But don’t believe what Trump says, Klein installs. Trump makes wild and horrible proclamations, but, as much as he wants, the president cannot rewrite the Constitution, and many of his proposals are being arrested outside the door. “In a matter of days, a judge froze the birth citizenship order,” writes Klein. “A judge froze the freezing expense before it was even scheduled to enter into force, and shortly after, the Trump administration rescinded the order, partly to avoid the judicial case.”

This does not mean that things are not wrong, they are. I do not want to minimize the remains. People live with great fear, and many are being damaged, including trans people, immigrants, federal workers, the list continues. Even the threats that Trump makes and the language he uses makes people less safe in promoting racism, sexism and thinking of “we against them.”

However, instead of freezing in shock, we can act together. “The rhythm and frequency of these offenses are destined to flood the area with shit, as Steve Bannon said; To confuse, bamboozle and immobilize us, ”writes Jay Michaelson, a rabbi, activist and former teacher, in his newsletter/and. “They promised that they would make ‘shock and amazement’ and that is what they have done. Nothing should be surprising here. Do not lose your composure.” We will remain firm.

2. Obtain application 5 callswhich makes it very easy to call your representatives. You can make five calls in five minutes; They give him the phone numbers and tell him exactly what to say about important problems (such as protecting the Department of Education or fighting the acquisition of Elon Musk’s government or opposing RFK Jr. for the Secretary of Health and Human Services). It is simple and direct, and these calls make a difference.

In addition, consider reading indivisible: a practical guide of democracy in the Brink, which offers crystalline strategies to fight in the next four years. Written by two very intelligent and fun people, this guide felt reinforced to read.

Share your thoughts below: these are extremely difficult times, but we have many good people in this country and a lot of energy and bandwidth. Sending big hugs and solidarity.

Pd poetry, if you need something right now.

(Photo by Jess Woodhouse/Stocksy).