Roots to Revolution

My friend Cat Lum (she/her) and I are leading this course: https://lnkd.in/eQUk2zZR Here's why I hope you will join: It's important to get involved in the upcoming election, it's equally important to maintain our mental health while doing so. Join us in our new workshop series where we'll explore strategies for balance and self care during election season. This country, while imperfect, has always been a place for possibility and change. The activists in our history who fought for progressive reforms and a better quality of life for all Americans have always inspired me in my own resistance efforts. Donald Trump is the antithesis of those activists. He's a man with no track record in public service who looks out for himself instead of our shared nation. Dealing with his rise to power as someone who truly loves this country is a difficult task to say the least, and it can feel overwhelming at times. But. Taking small, concrete actions for change?while?practicing mindfulness allows us to have more effective conversations about politics, amplifies our combined impact, and sustains our mental health to avoid burnout. It can also bring us the thing we most need right now as Americans: hope. Last week I phone banked for Kamala Harris's campaign. When you phone bank, a lot of people hang up. A few, though, remind you why this type of volunteering is essential. One woman who picked up my call was a new mom. I could hear her baby in the background. "Do you have time to talk about Kamala Harris?"?I asked her. "I am in the middle of changing my baby’s diaper,” she replied. At this point I thought for sure she 'd hang up, but then she said,?“I haven’t had much time to think about the election as a new mom, so could you tell me why you are voting for Harris?”?I was truly grateful for that response. “Well, I am an educator, and Harris wants to fully fund our public schools. As a parent, you shouldn’t have to navigate a complicated voucher system to get your child a quality education. Harris also believes in women making decisions about their own bodies, and supports paid leave for parents. She also cares about protecting the planet for our future children.”?This new mom then thanked me for sharing– said she would do more research, but appreciated my call. After phone banking, I took a few minutes to breathe and take in the experience. I noticed how this short interaction flooded me with hope. I realized it was a reminder of how our conversations with our families, our friends, even strangers about politics do matter. I felt recharged in my desire to work for change. The negativity and terrifying implications of another Trump presidency can feel like too much to bear. ?Don’t give in to the idea that you have no power. There is hope to be found when we unite in a shared collective goal of working towards the America we want to bring into reality.

Every week, we absorb "unprecedented" news. In times like these, it is critical that we don't disengage but strategically engage and use our gifts to fight for our rights. I am facilitating a course on using mindfulness to help us become focused and healthy activists this election season. I use the word facilitating?rather than teaching because I am personally and humbly on this journey as well. However, I am very excited to do this work with others. In unprecedented times, we need community. I hope these sessions can bring us a deep sense of community in fighting for justice.

I taught college freshmen this past year, and I was shocked by how little they wanted to discuss politics. When I thought about it they were 11 in 2016 and only really knew a dysfunctional political system. There was a wide range of opinions in the class and my goal was to help them engage in civil discourse and to shake the fear of politics. Our young people need us, the adults, to make democracy more effective. They need us to show them what it means to participate civically. They need us to show them that talking about politics can be powerful.

A lot of my linked in community is educators- have you heard about what Project 2025 will do to our education system? Teachers now more than ever need to fight for our students this election season. https://lnkd.in/eTxtPGhk