May Newsletter: Question “normal.”
A WORD FROM IRIS
I am excited to be in conversation with you all again. Lately I’ve been thinking about accountability, and how part of accountability is showing up; it means being present with your people. So consider this monthly newsletter my way of being accountable to, and for, all of us who are interested in the work of ending oppression. Acts of systemic, institutional, and interpersonal violence still occur daily, but are receiving much less public attention these days. That said, it is our duty to continue to center and highlight the truth about the systems still at play, as well as the truth about how our communities care for each other, unlearn internalized lies, and fight against oppression each day (and even win sometimes).
I am happy to be re-starting this space for community, critical thinking, accountability, encouragement, and our collective journey toward liberation. I hope you will join us.
NEWS TO CHEW ON
Where are all the First Amendment Rights protectors?
“Designed to End Protesting”: Louisiana Supreme Court Makes Protesters Guilty by Association >
What does it mean when ceilings are shattered? Is it symbolism, or something more?
The Fallacy of Representation >
TIDBIT FROM THE TOOLKIT
One of the first and most important steps in using a social justice lens is to be clear about language. Here’s one resource from our toolkit that talks about that.
Learn more about the SJS toolkit here >
TOOLS FOR RESISTANCE
Question “normal.”
As the powers that be continue to push for “a return to normal,” pay attention to the power dynamics around you. What do we consider normal, and why? What does it mean that the people serving others are required to mask and are risking their lives to earn a living each day, while people who are being served are not required to mask and are risking their lives for leisure/to be served?
In 2020 there was a lot of energy around framing this moment of mass trauma as a wake-up call to create new, more inclusive, safer, and more collective ways of being.
How can we keep this thought alive and make it real?