🌱 Building from Black & Indigenous Solidarity

Hey y'all, welcome back! 👋🏼

We reflect on intersectional solidarity. To kick off Black History Month, I got to speak with two amazing sisters just before volunteering at the Two Spirit Powwow in the Bay Area. We also have news with a social change lens and resources to find the right movement org for you. Read on for more...

In Case You Missed It: 
🌱 for activists: 🌱 Reframing 'Racism' in a Fascist America
📚 for communicators: 📚 Refreshing Experiences for the User

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• 🗂️ Exec Action Litigation Tracker - 🤓 the team at Just Security has a tracker for all of the Trump Administration Executive Orders. Important to note that many are being overturned and halted.
• 🎬 Credit Freeze Tip to Stop DOGE - 🤓 A personal tip from @ykreborn on how to freeze your credit so no one can inquire or open credit lines in your name. They recommend everyone do this now that government accounts are compromised. Spread the word!
• 🎬 The Wrong 1% - 🤓 Laverne Cox looks fabulous while explaining the current anti-trans panic and why it's a distraction from elites to hoard more resources. Jessica Craven also had some heartfelt words of advice for allies. (Read our series on Indigenous Queer Wisdom)
• 🎬 American Football and Manifest Destiny - 🤓 With all due respect to football fans, the NFL is dangerously upholding harmful systems. As someone who grew up around the Dallas Cowboys, its Black stars, and the ever-present owner, Jerry Jones, the idea of the NFL as a plantation is something I've thought about a lot.

🍿 Don’t forget to scroll to the end and watch our weekly video for activists where we dive into on a weekly news topic.

Radical Joy and Movement Resilience

Part II: Radical Black Joy & Resistance (See Parts I, II, III)

Last weekend, while f@cists took over our payment systems, I was organizing in community and building solidarity. ✊🏽✊🏿✊🏼

Yes, The world is on fire 🔥, our institutions are crumbling, and 🧗🏼‍♀️ we need to do something about it. While many in leadership argue over the "right" approach to combatting hateful forces, our communities have known the way for centuries.

To kick off Black History Month, I got to speak with two amazing sisters just before volunteering at the Two Spirit Powwow in the Bay Area. It was a beautiful gathering. Indigenous communities and queer folks across the country came to soak in the warmth & strength of community.

At the 25th Anniversary opening dinner, a Two Spirit Indigenous elder reminded us that we have been here before and guess what...we're still here! Indigenous communities remain on this land and resilient. The colonizers couldn't eradicate "Indian problem" with disease, forced separation, indoctrination, and more.

Decolonizing Hope

My June series last year focused on Indigenous Queer Wisdom and how gender has always been used as a way to control and suppress since the ships began arriving on Turtle Island. But we're still here...

If that's not a rallying cry, I don't know what is. Now is our time to push back against these forces. They do not get to control us no matter how much they tighten their grip.

We all have our roles in this movement. They can be small or big, but everyone is important in creating a better world.

• What is your role?
• And how are you starting today?

I continue to have hope for humanity because of the brilliance I see around me. We may be up against very strong forces that have been around for centuries and are emboldened by their tech toys, but we are stronger...together. ✊🏽✊🏼✊🏿

Start imagining the small ways to imagine a revolution. 🎶 "Don't ya know talkin' bout a revolution sounds like a whisper"

🌱 Building Resilient Communities

I'm so honored to have Lisa and Sharon as my first guests on our private podcast. This Thursday, we are releasing our first private podcast that goes deeper on our public conversations. Sharon, Lisa, and I get deep on building intentional community and why it's much harder for white folks. It was a thoughtful conversation that confronts things head-on, while also being joyful and inviting. (watch preview on YouTube)

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🚩 Before You Join That Org…

I stumbled on this awesome resource from The Anarchist Library. It’s a guide to help you assess an organization before you join. There are lots of organizations out there, but not all have the right heart. ❤️‍🔥

Browse this guide to help you find the organizations that are fighting for true liberation and avoid the ones trying to co-opt our movements. (read)

Red Flags: Before You Join That Org…

Unsalted Counter Info Red Flags: Before You Join That Org… A Primer on Authoritarian & Vanguard Communist Groups & What You Can Do Instead June 3, 2024

The Anarchist LibraryUnsalted Counter Info

🎙️ Subscribe to our podcast: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • YouTube

Watch out latest podcast with Lisa Hurley and Sharon Hurley Hall. We have such a joyful conversation to kick off Black History Month amidst the raging storms. Find our latest videos on our 🎬 Quick Bites page.

🌱 Seedling Member Zone

And that's a wrap on this week’s newsletter! We hope you found this helpful in your work. Forward this to a friend and help democratize communications! If you have any topics you want covered, questions, or curious about our Donate a Membership program, please reach out and let me know.

In Solidarity,
Sam Chavez
the roots of change agency

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