In hard times, we choose courage, creativity, and community—this is how we thrive.
In these times, we must remember and understand history
The thoughts and feelings that come up these days, of intense disparaging and abuse of power, cannot be any different from those experienced by our foreMothers, Fathers, and Ancestors.
We are clear, at least those of us who see the formation of paramilitary-style units under federal agencies like ICE, echoing historical patterns such as slave patrols in the 18th and 19th centuries, which were precursors to modern policing in the U.S. These patrols enforced racial and gender hierarchies and property laws, much like how ICE has been used to enforce exclusionary immigration policies.
The erosion of public systems—healthcare, education, food security—mirrors Neo-liberal strategies from the late 20th century, where privatization and deregulation disproportionately harmed marginalized communities. What’s new is the overt racialized framing of these rollbacks.
The political shift aligns with a broader global trend of authoritarian populism, where democratic institutions are hollowed out under the guise of nationalism and “law and order.” This often includes scapegoating immigrants, suppressing dissent, and rewriting historical narratives.
Ancestral Resonance
From Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement to Standing Rock, each generation has faced backlash after gains. What’s different now is the digital terrain—how resistance and repression both play out online and offline. The tremendous amount of fear, othering, and dehumanization on both sides of the aisle is encouraged and mimicked in everyday life expressions on most social media platforms.
Spiritual Grounding: That connects you to your wholeness, Prayer, meditation, and appreciation of a higher power. Ancestors are not just remembered—they are active participants in guiding justice.
This moment may call for ritual, storytelling, and communal healing as much as the policy and protest we are partaking in and experiencing throughout the Nation.
We must stay in HOPE and ACT according to our principles.
So I suggest the simplest forms of thriving. Stay informed, connect with your community, and resist the creation of othering our neighbors.
