Abeni

We need more “I’m voting AND ____”

Voting is just one tool to fight fascism. And in the US it’s a tool that continues to weaken due to things like voter suppression, access, misinformation.

I call it harm reduction, but that’s not accurate. Most Dem politicians aren’t working for the world that I want to live in. But voting for them seems like the less harmful choice I can make.

For me, it’s what comes after the AND that helps move us to a better future.

Nov 8, 2022 at 1:46pmWeb
Show threadAbeniNov 8, 2022

I’m voting and giving to #abortionfunds

I’m voting and learning about #abolition

I’m voting and engaging in #mutualaid

I’m voting and getting to know my neighbors and others in my #community

It seems futile some days. I want to do so much more but I have a finite amount of time and money. When it all feels futile, the words of Mariame Kaba give me hope.

“Pick a thing. Do the work. Fight like hell.”

What’s your AND?

Show threadGemma Clark ✅Nov 8, 2022
@anxiousrage same here, abortion rights is my thing
Show threadAbeniNov 8, 2022
@Gemmaclark14 it’s always been an important one for me too
Show threadAlyce BarryNov 8, 2022

@anxiousrage
More wonderful words from Mariame Kaba:

Hope is a practice

Let this radicalize you rather than lead you to despair

Show threadAbeniNov 8, 2022
@AlyceBarry love this! I know she doesn’t think anyone should be the face of a movement but she’s so inspiring
Show threadgrob (teeth era) 🇺🇦🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Nov 8, 2022
@anxiousrage
Visit public deliberations of your community council or city's parliament. Make use of the ability to speak there if citizens' questions is a point on the agenda. Politics are only opaque if you let them.
Show threadAbeniNov 8, 2022
@grob yes! getting involved locally is my preferred way to go and can make a big impact
Show threadSherean ✍️Nov 8, 2022
@anxiousrage serving on the planning commission, advocating for #affordablehousing at every turn.
Show threadAbeniNov 8, 2022
@Sherean those are great ANDs!
Show threadSherean ✍️Nov 8, 2022
@anxiousrage thanks - I have also worked on campaigns for yrs (marketing, social media) and am proud to be a part of the change happening in GA. I always tell my son to think about giving in three buckets: time, talent, and treasure. If you don't have $$, then volunteer. And he gives his "talent" as a youngster by agreeing to be on camera in videos for candidates all the time. When he's older, he'll canvass.
Show threadSierra RoussosNov 8, 2022
@anxiousrage I’m voting to salvage #democracy I’m voting to #ExpandTheCourt I’m voting to #ProtectHumanRights I’m voting because #BlackLivesMatter I’m voting because we need to protect #AbortionCare
Show threadChris GuidryNov 8, 2022
@anxiousrage I'm voting and sobbing into my Cheerios
Show threadAbeniNov 8, 2022
@chris sometimes that’s necessary too 😭
Show threadShrig 🐌Nov 8, 2022
@anxiousrage I like the expression to vote for who you'll have the least friction with then roll your sleeves up and do the work yourself
Show threadAbeniNov 8, 2022
@Shrigglepuss that’s where I’ve landed. Especially because (at least here in the states) outsourcing the work to politicians means trusting people who take campaign donations from corporations and who typically have a personal stake in maintaining the status quo.
Show threadShrig 🐌Nov 8, 2022
@anxiousrage Exactly! A community is much more acutely aware of its needs and abilities than politicians can ever be as well, even the most well-meaning and accommodating ones. There's only really so much they can do, the bulk of the work will always be up to us x
Show threadTC Won't Give In To LiesNov 8, 2022

@anxiousrage
If you only talk to your political representatives once every 2 or 4 years, they’re not going to listen to you even that one time.

Activists and corporations know this. Talk to your representatives regularly!

Show threadAbeniNov 8, 2022
@TCatInReality we have to be millions of squeaky wheels, they work for us!
Show threadthe lettuce man 🐀Nov 8, 2022
@anxiousrage What can be done by a teen in a red state?
Show threadAbeniNov 8, 2022
@thelettuceman what things are most important to you?
Show threadYaboiychristianNov 10, 2022
@anxiousrage I can agree pretty fully. I live in Idaho and as much as I don’t want gun laws to change nationally I think there needs to be something done. I voted for our current republican governor and against most all other repupublicansthat ran here. this is a moment we’re at where you have to think of the other side. I do constantly. and their are ways to make things fair I align republican but these last few years vote democratic. think with your conscience