Not My America
Murphy’s Law
/ˌmɜːfiz ˈlɔː/
A statement of the fact that, if anything can possibly go wrong, it will go wrong.
And that about sums up The United States of America.
The devastation from the LA fires- a detrimental kickstart to a year doomed since Election Day, 2024.
via Fortune
It doesn’t need to be a political issue, really it doesn’t. And turning it into one is a slap in the face to the peoples whose actual homes are completely leveled by the fire. But simultaneously it is extremely important to hold elected officials accountable for systems they set up to allow this devastation to be as violent as it was.
Trump's response to scientific research that the Palisades fires were a direct consequence of climate change? “It’ll start getting cooler, you just watch.” (BBC) Like … what?
Sorry to enlighten you Mr. President, but real human homes are burning to nothing. Livelihoods burning to nothing. Nothing to show for any of the life they lived there anymore. Not every person in LA is mega rich. People like us- our aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, and mothers- their homes are gone, too.
As if it couldn’t get any worse, insurance giants withdraw from california's home insurance marketplace due to increasing wildfire risk and soaring construction costs from said natural disasters. We’re talking about the nation's most populous state. (AP NEWS)
And it fucking infuriates me. But folks outside of CA, in Texas even, watch from the sidelines, and make snide comments about LA like they think something this horrible could never happen in their town, in their GOD FEARING TOWN. (yes, people are going there.)
Did you know Austin ranks fifth in the nation in homes at risk of being destroyed by wildfires? The first four being cities in california per the Austin Monitor. Still think it can’t happen to you?
The rent you pay, the gas in your car, the foods you eat, how much your job pays you, and the healthcare you receive are all determined by the actual mega rich in this country.
via Bloomberg
Front row on Inauguration Day: Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Sundar Pichai (Google), and Elon Musk (Tesla, X, SpaceX). Since when were they qualified to be political figures? This is no longer a right vs left issue, this is a Human Rights issue.
Anything is possible, this we know. And we’re seeing the ugly side of that phrase unfold itself in real time. And it’s not like we never knew it was there.
It’s always been Trump’s America, we just needed someone to champion the cause.
But what Trump can’t take away from us is our community and joy. Life can be beautiful- but it isn’t really beautiful, unless it’s beautiful for everyone.
Back to Murphy’s Law: if one exists, so must its counter. What can go right, will go right. Good can exist next to evil.
Good still exists. Amplifying voices in your community matters right now. Finding truth, and solace, in our spaces is not only very important and invaluable, but necessary. I don’t know everything. I can’t say these next 4 years will unfold a certain way. But what I can do in the meantime is listen. I encourage you to do the same. Here are the people of my community who inspire me to put down the pen, and read.
Written by Ali Ibrahim
~ @ykhfwrh on IG ~
Written by Ali Ibrahim ~ @ykhfwrh on IG ~
Empathy and Education
Compassion against Corruption
Where do we even begin?
If I had an answer, it'd be insane. It'd be outlandish and improbable, but it'd be a start. I'd say we need to arm ourselves against propaganda. The government of my home country is the historical blueprint by which systemic distribution of media is used to influence the masses. That definitely includes all of us, right now. Our main access to media is compromised. Now is the time to find and create and share new forms of media and communication. Education is trending towards privatization which means defending against the attacks on our mental and spiritual collectives will be on us, the people alone.
Class Warfare is hidden behind a culture war. The ignorant manipulated are not the enemy but are not our allies. They are the pawns of the wealthy. How many before us have been here? How do we continue to evolve? Well, we could create independent communities and fill them with diverse groups of people. And if you really want to flip the script, create functional, and practical economies in these communities. This takes away a lot of the power they hold over us. Engage in piracy! Buy stuff from your friends! Support your local artists (it'll make them better if you do)!
When the oligarchy understands that we don't need them... they will kill us all, but then we are justified in revolutionary violence, so.
Although, revolution may already be justified. The United States government no longer serves the United States. Our backyards are now foreign land, but its land we know better than them.
Written by Jasel Francis
~ @env33_ on IG ~
Written by Jasel Francis ~ @env33_ on IG ~
to start , I've never been more involved, more interested in politics and world history and just everything going on than I am right now. i've been viewing everything as much as i can to keep up with what's current
and the more education I get the more sad, afraid and angry i am.
i think the state of america is at a point where its a lost cause
and i hate to think it was always inevitable but i do think that because unfortunately it was always a white-america.
were seeing in real time that it was never about these made up narratives that the right-wing would come up with to justify the division they've created but it was always about control, power, hate, greed. and i say its always been a white-america for the sole reason that people of color have had to fight so long for rights and equality, moreso basic human decency for forever–
something you don't do in a country that prides itself on being a "land of the free."
this land was taken.
my take is there is nothing free about this country and everything is being taken once again.
we've moved backwards and its scary and upsetting.
i'm a woman but also a woman of color which is terrifying to be
in this country.
i'm a woman of color in a relationship with a man of color, who will also be subjected to the unjust plans our inhumane president is planning / wants.
as will my friends who are women or who are of color.
and as will their families.
its already shitty to know where you fall short in all this but its even shittier when you know it extends to everyone else around you.
i tend to see myself as a mediator, i approach things diplomatically
and i'm good at seeing both sides and i've really tried to "understand" the right-wing
but i just can't.
there is no logic, no common sense, no moral sense and no humanity. from division of people to now destruction of our planet, our home, i don't understand.
its funny because i feel even more pain and anger when i think of how mother nature has been a victim for as long as man has been around but people turn a blind eye for reasons i don't fucking understand.
i have so many subtopics on top of subtopics that i want to touch on but i don't know where to start.
overall i'm angry and confused but sad and afraid.
i hope and wish we take more effective action.
respectfully, i don't think our peaceful protests are the answer anymore.
the government, billionaires, anyone out there aiding to what the fuck is going on has put us down and has taken our rights and i think to fight back means to literally fight. it'd be great for them to see just how angry the people are, more-so it'd be great for them to FEEL that anger.
Written by Hails
~ @haileyaryana on IG ~
Written by Hails ~ @haileyaryana on IG ~
The rise of fascism in America is nothing new, and I am outraged but not surprised by what went down on Inauguration Day. After all, the right wing of our political system has become synonymous with white supremacy and bigotry. What were we to expect?
As I watched the inauguration and my thoughts were spiraling, I found comfort in thinking about what I can do. How can I be helpful to the most vulnerable in my community? How can I stand up for myself? Over the past two years, I’ve been working toward building a stronger community—one that can stand up to adversity and fight for what’s right. I’m proud of the people I have in my life.
There’s no denying it: there is a very real threat to our civil liberties as a nation. But I am not scared, I am not unprepared—I am ready. My community is strong, and we will endure. We have always been here, and we will never be erased.
I’m thankful to the people who have come before me. I know that if they could persevere, then I can too.
These next four years and beyond will not be easy, but I know how powerful we are when we come together. I feel more ready than I’ve ever been.
Written by Corinne Sutton
~ @corinnececeliaa on IG ~
Written by Corinne Sutton ~ @corinnececeliaa on IG ~
Navigating Trump's America: Strength in the Power of Your Voice & Community
As we're entering into another chapter of Trump's presidency, the country finds itself once again navigating political turbulence. The latest headlines have been divisive as ever, arising a lot of overwhelming feelings due to the rapid changes occuring and fear-mongering articles flooding the media. Now, more than ever, our strength lies in unity. As we face the backlashes of the current political landscape, we are reminded that the real change doesn't come from the person at the top, but from the groundswell of voices that unify the people of our country.
For women, people of color, and other marginalized communities, the time has come for resilience, solidarity, and the understanding that YOUR VOICE MATTERS! In a political climate where our rights can often feel under attack, it's easy to feel isolated or powerless. However,| history has shown us that real change often begins with individuals coming together to advocate for justice, equality, and the dignity of every person. The loudest voices aren't always the ones in the headlines - they are the voices of everyday people coming together, supporting one another, and standing up for what they believe is right.
Creating a sense of community is much more than political resistance - it's about nurturing spaces where everyone feels heard, valued, and empowered to use their voice to speak out. Whether it's through grassroots movements, local organizations, or just simple acts of unanimity, we can transform fear into action and uncertainties into hope. By supporting one another, sharing resources, and amplifying our diversities, we can remind ourselves that we're not alone in this fight and that we don't need to navigate these turbulent times in isolation. We still have the ability to shape the future of this country for generations to come- and we'll do it with resilience, compassion, and the unanimous belief that justice will always be worth fighting for.
Written by Kaylee Heflin
~ @rhinestoencowboy on IG ~
Written by Kaylee Heflin ~ @rhinestoencowboy on IG ~
Ever since / was a little girl, I knew I hated Donald Trump. He became a mogul in my household from the very start. I'll never forget the promise that beamed from my father's eyes as I rolled mine, knowing even at 12 years old that the worst was yet to come. I'm 22 now, the passion for politics my dad instilled in me ever growing. And somehow, a decade later, Donald Trump is still the president, and the worst is still yet to come.
So, what the hell are we supposed to do with that? Each day looks different, but the fuel of hope & spite stay the same. Some days it's so consuming I don't want to get out of bed-but I know my faith in my communities is so much greater than that. The promise of the people is a heavy weight to carry right now, but it is worth building the muscle for. No matter how exhausted, furious, or terrified we may become, we are fighting for the true values of this country.
The reality is, MAGA's foundation is built off the contributions nationalism has leeched from the communities we are still actively fighting for & are a part of today. The hard work, perseverance, and community they claim was never theirs. It is this that keeps me going. Being from Texas especially, where the fight is more violent & tiring than ever, I still see our souls, our promise, beaming through our tired eyes. These past 6 days unbearable, but the days to come we will show up. For ourselves, for the people who need it more than us, for the love of all of the things they will never be able to take away.
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We are more than this. We are more than just drops in the ocean of our falling democracy. We have something the Trump Administration can never take away from us. Our community.
Viva México Para Siempre
Zoe Arredondo
