R e s i s t a n c e

I have spent the last week free of all META platforms and it was truly refreshing (or as refreshing as things can be when the news is horrifying). It gave me the time and space to procure and process information from reliable media sources and sort out the best way to move forward regarding my social media use and how to responsibly use it.

It also reminded me that the only way to fight misinformation is with facts. 

The only way to fight injustice and prejudice, is by calling out the perpetrators and continuing to hold them accountable for their wrongdoings. To use our voices, our writing, our art, our consumerism, our voting choices to directly counter this movement.

Social media is so deeply intwined into our lives, especially post covid when so many of us found community and friendship through these online platforms. 

The idea of supporting the platforms owned by greedy, unhinged wannabe oligarchs makes me sick. But I also see the sense in using their platforms AGAINST them to continue sharing messages of resistance and truth. To be able to document and fight against the atrocities that are happening inside our country right now. To use their own propaganda devices to counter their messages of fear and misinformation. 

If there was ever a generation of people who could commandeer social media platforms being used to promote vitriol, fear, and hate; and turn them into tools of resistance and positive social change…it’s us. 

Turn Instagram into The Quibbler. Share the truth and fight misinformation. 

Make Facebook into a virtual Underground Railroad. Create safe spaces and provide resources for those being targeted. 

Use TikTok like anti-propaganda war posters. Continue to foster community based on inclusion and love. Use that stupid algorithm against itself (see videos of tiktokers holding up posters Love Actually style with valuable info

while talking about sourdough).

I know so many of us feel hopeless and unable to figure out HOW best to help in situations like this. But the best thing any of us can do is continue to speak up when we see something wrong. We have to stand up for our neighbors rights. We must continue to empower each other to organize and protest and vote in ways counter to this hateful administration. And we have to get creative. 

Michelle Obama said, “when they go low, we go high” but now is the time to go around and in between and through too. Use your passions whether they be art or gardening or music or science, whatever it is that fuels you and turn it into something positive and powerful and good in this world. How can your passions do something positive for our world and work against the destruction of the morals and liberties that we hold so dear in our country? 

Take care of your mental health and create boundaries that work for you; but please don’t put your head in the sand and check out while the world burns around us. There are so many of us who stand against what is happening right now, and we have to work together now more than ever. 

With all of that being said, if you are in favor of the ignorant, hateful, and discriminatory changes taking place in our government and country right now, I hope you get what you deserve and bless your heart. 

We aren’t going down without a fight.