ArtemisJan 22

RE: https://dice.camp/@artemis/115939693549179384

I want to repeat what I was saying a few days ago to our chronically ill & disabled comrades, because I *know* you need to hear it.

Some of you have to spend much of your time & energy on caring for yourself—that too is the work.

Because here's the truth: we need you. For so many reasons we need you.

I see you giving of yourselves in a million ways. I see you educating people & sharing resources. I see you making things for people. I see you doing good things.

Ginny Bee (she/her)Jan 23
Show threadArtemis

So whatever it takes for you to be in a space where you can give what you have to offer: that's the work.

For some people, staying alive is the work. I bet you're helping people in ways you don't even realize, but if you feel like all you are doing is surviving, you're keeping one of our comrades alive (you).

This is a situation where no one is insignificant. Solidarity means all of us. Solidarity means no one is left behind or discarded. Solidarity means you fucking matter, & we need you.

Jan 22 at 7:32pmWeb
Show threadArtemisJan 22

Again, this isn't fucking "charity". When I speak to disabled/chronically ill folks, I'm not just trying to make you "feel better" when I say we need you. I mean it. I mean it with all my heart.

I don't know what it is you're doing, but I know we need you. I also know you're probably doing more than you realize.

Please, my friends, give yourself some love & rest. If you are one of us, you are one of us.

Show threadArtemisJan 22

The fash think that there are expendable people, & that is one of their biggest fucking weaknesses.

We know they are wrong about that, & that is one of our biggest fucking strengths.

Show threadtimorlJan 24

@artemis Adding to that, although perhaps it’s almost the same thing as one of the things you wrote, only in different words.

Maybe you are not doing anything, maybe you actually are a burden. Everyone I met who thought that, was actually severely underestimating how much they contribute, but maybe you actually are only a burden. Even in this case we want you.

We are fighting for a good life for everyone. You being well, even if it costs your community, is a terminal value, this is exactly what we want. Even if you are a burden, you are a burden we want to be taking on, because that is what solidarity means.

I have been saying this to so many people recently, and I still cannot seem to find quite the correct words to actually convey my strong feelings behind all of this, but I hope I am at least partially communicating what I mean.

Show threadArtemisJan 31

@timorl
Yes, exactly.

It really doesn't matter how much care someone needs & it isn't weighed against how much they can contribute.

If someone needs to be carried, we'll carry them. Gladly.

Show threadCalcaneoFeb 1
@artemis @timorl your words are so kind! This is what we all need in such dark times.
Show threadFrans Super 🇺🇦🇵🇸🍋 FKNZS🔻Jan 31

@artemis

You are so damn right about this.