how to make 2021 less like 2020
Joe Biden has not yet been officially sworn in, but his admin has found ways to temper our expectations early. Between his proposed cabinet picks and the diminishing stimulus amount , it’s very clear the Biden Admin is planting its feet firmly in the relative safety of neolib territory.
It is important to have discourse around the typical Dem shittiness of this upcoming administration. But I am writing this to emphasize the need to refocus our attention locally.
The internet we currently occupy is setup such that the Big Stories that get Engagement are often linked to national politics. There is so much going on, it can be easy to miss what is happening right under our feet. I am very guilty of engaging in Too Much Discourse and too little community engagement. Writing this blog is a callout to myself, and anyone else as terminally online and cynical.
We will never make big gains nationally until the left can bring a sustained amount of attention to local matters. Everyone watched in horror as Nazis descended on the Capitol, but how many people were aware of what was happening to their state Capitol? There was violence and effigies across the country.
We are (rightly!) arguing about $1400 versus $2000 while in my fair city of Los Angeles: the city continues sweeps that put the unhoused at risk for COVID, a black woman was assaulted at a protest, the horrid Prop 22 is already gutting union jobs in favor of app-based gig workers. There is plenty to be cyberbullying our mayor and city council about, every day!
Hounding your local elected officials about the state of your neighborhood feels good. Typing up an eloquently worded takedown to Eric Garcetti sends a blooming rush of adrenaline through my body in a way being in the street with strangers cannot. I wouldn’t find myself standing up and yelling at a council meeting, but I can dunk on his tweets and bring visibility to his failures.
Rather than shy away from community work because I’m a homebody, I am trying to make this year one where I engage with my strengths. Email the mayor and our city council. Support those on the street with my dollars and my reach online.
We’re gonna watch Biden get sworn in soon, and more violence is inevitably coming. Instead of despairing, I’m gonna counter the inevitable feeling of helplessness with work. Let’s Get Involved.
In the spirit of getting back to Actually Writing again I am keeping this short!
Tweet at me, message me on discord. See you around!
