Notes by Jackie Summers cont'd

White women’s bodies were supposed to be sacrosanct. Respectable professionals were supposed to be “off-limits.” That’s no longer the case. For Black people, this country has always been fascist. What’s new is who else is inside the blast radius.
The Venn diagram of “safe” and “endangered” is now a circle.
If you’re shaken, it’s not just grief. It’s narrative whiplash. The distance between “this can’t happen” and “it just did, on camera” no longer exists.
2/?

Jackie Summers cont'd

You have choices. You can either cling to the lie and let someone else keep paying. Or pay the cost of updating the story about this country
About who is “safe,” about what you’re willing to do now that protections are gone.
I’ve said it before. Empire can handle outrage. It has no defense against empathy at scale. Outrage spikes, trends, and fades. Empathy—“it can be me; it already is them”—changes what people are willing to risk and protect.
3/?

Field Notes for Cracking An Empire by Jackie Summer cont'd

If you choose to go out, you need more than vibes. You need a plan. This is about maximizing safety and impact. Not about looking brave on Instagram.
If you’re going out, your first job is coming home.
Before you leave pick your role (you’re not stuck in just one).
5/?

Jackie Summers cont'd

The four basic lanes are:
Helpers– people who give personal, individual assistance. Support can be verbal, emotional, physical, or financial. Not everyone can go out. Anyone can be someone to come home to.
Advocates– people embedded in the system who can use their knowledge and influence to navigate and reinvent from within.
6/?

Jackie Summers cont'd

Organizers– visionaries who see the big picture and bring resources and talents together.
Rebels – indomitable spirits who bring passion and energy. Audacious risk-takers, willing to bear the brunt of criticism.
You are not consigned to a single role for life. Today, pick one where intent can become impact. Street-side roles: marcher, medic, legal observer, marshal. Home-side roles: childcare, food, bail funds, phones, amplifying, watching scanners and news.
7/?

Jackie Summers cont'd

Not everyone needs to be in front of a rifle.
No solo missions. Go with a pod (2–5 people). Decide ahead of time who you stick with, who your emergency contact is, where you’ll meet up if separated. No one leaves alone. If one person needs to tap out, at least one goes with them.
8/?

J Summers cont'd

Make sure you have your ID. Be prepared to record. Don’t leave home without a full charge + battery pack, Use a strong passcode, no FaceID/fingerprint. Have one card or some cash, not your whole wallet. Do not forget any meds you truly can’t miss.
Write essential information on your skin with a sharpie in case your phone dies. Include your name, phone, and the name and phone of your emergency contact. If you have local legal aid / bail fund number, include that as well.
9/?

Jackie Summers cont'd

Decide if you’re willing to face lawful arrest before adrenaline kicks in. If police say “disperse,” are you leaving, and if not, are you adequately prepared?
Don’t let panic make that call. Know your line and your rights ahead of time.
Move like you’re planning to come back tomorrow. Stay on the edges of dense crowds. Always clock a landmark and at least two exit routes. If you can’t see or hear organizers/marshals, rethink where you are.
10/?

Jackie Summers cont'd

If you record ICE, do it clean; Stand back. Do not cross lines or interfere. Say calmly: I’m recording for everyone’s safety. I’m not interfering. Capture time, place, badge numbers, and what led up to the moment—not just the hit. Let someone you trust know before you start recording. Send important clips to a trusted person immediately, so they exist off your phone.
11/?