Into the Unknown: Navigating Chaos Together

It is difficult to know what to do or what to say in these moments. I’m living in a city that is under siege by a federal government determined to prove the worst of immigrants and Latinos. I know that many of you, dear readers, are scattered across cities and towns that are facing similar harm. And the harm is coming from all angles, fed and local, government and residents, in person and online. A constant barrage of people radicalized to believe the worst of us. How do we move forward in this way?

When the administration began, I gave some steps I was taking to help maintain my sanity and ability to maintain for the long-haul. But now is a time to move beyond just helping myself and ensuring that I use my skills and ability to support my community and the people targeted. I’d like to share a little of what I’m doing in case you need some ideas on how to get through these uncertain moments.

Before I share, I want to be honest that I was not sure I would write this. What are the risks in speaking my mind and advocating for others? What I’m going to share isn’t even that astounding, but we face a precipice that is threatening to erode our rights and we are seeing, in real time, the risks we face as authoritarianism continues to creep on us. While it does feel safer to not share, I know that being quiet is complicity. I also know that it doesn’t matter how we try to play the game or acquiesce or promise to be well-behaved because ultimately those with power are clear in their goals. Thinking that I’m safe–that anyone is safe–by being quiet, is a head in the sand mentality.

Also until further notice, I live in a free country and am a free woman, so it’s the time to shake off the nerves and be loud about how to help one another.

For those that aren’t sure about their next steps or how to support, my first suggestion is to Get Offline. Yes, the content creator is telling you to give the reshare button a rest. There is so much work to be done in real life; work that is hands-on, that requires direction and support. Find a political or community home–a space that is doing the work in community that calls to you that allows you to use your skills to help others. It need not be immigration focused, but the closer we are to helping folks directly the better you feel, along with making a deep impact. Plus you won’t have time for doom scrolling if you’re coordinating a KYR workshop or helping at a food pantry. I value (and need) social media and how we engage on there, but if you find yourself uncertain about how you can help, the best way is IRL. Figure out what that looks like for you.

Of course, you’re still going to be online. So am I! But assess your social media practice, especially if you are a trusted voice in your family/community. The problem with constant engagement, similar to 24 hr news, is that there is pressure to always be on, to always say something, to prove to yourself/others that you do care about xyz. It leaves no room for nuance, verification, or dialogue. I’m going to encourage folks that before your share a hot take, a post, or comment about a cultural issue take a beat and ask if your commentary is necessary. Do the people who care about you/that you care about already know where you stand on this issue? Is this really a moment to showcase solidarity or a call to action or are you speaking up because you don’t want someone to assume the worst in you if you don’t share a post? Over the course of Latinas Uprising, I have had to navigate when and when not to speak up. I have a hard line on certain issues and gauge carefully others because I want to provide accurate, verified information that is not just evidence of a world gone amok. That means I don’t share certain things or comment on every issue. And somehow, we have all survived 🙂 Not having to prove or disprove positions has given me space to focus the above point–hands on work in my community. If you find yourself overwhelmed with info or compelled to share all the time, take a beat–even for just a week.

If you direct your time and talent to what you can do at a local level, you will see the impact of your work and you will build community with like-minded people. This has been my focus over the last 10 months and it has saved my sanity and allowed me to double down on my values and commitment to community. Am I still nervous? yes. Is it difficult to do in addition to all other responsibilities? yes. Do I worry about retaliation from a govt committed to harming citizens? yes.

But at the same time, in the face of all these violations, how can I not be emboldened to speak up? How can any of us not feel called to fight for justice and the rule of law? We took oaths, we fought hard to be protectors of these rights and we can’t be silent now. And while whatever comes next is unknown, which is frightening, think about all the spaces you’ve navigated that were unknown terrain; the clients you’ve defended in a similar way–we can look back at our own personal journeys, our families, our communities and recognize that we not only master the unknown, we thrive in it. Entonces, let’s get to work–there’s so much to do.