Finding our spot is self-care!
From the January 24, 2026 General Meeting
Small group sharing at D2’s Indivisible monthly meeting in January was set up so folks could meet and talk with their neighbors. News of Alex Pretti’s murder by ICE had just been released. Rene Nicole Good’s murder by the same hand was still on everyone’s mind. There was no place I wanted to be that morning, other than with my Indivisible D2 neighbors.
In retrospect the unspeakable sacrifice of their lives seems to have become a turning point, with protests against ICE larger and ever present and some action on the part of the administration to remove 700 troops from Minneapolis. But there are still 2,000 left there and the larger movement of ICE to Maine, Ohio and else where, heavily grates on us all. For those of us with family ties to Europe the obvious similarities between Nazis and ICE are hard to ignore. I also heard these European families are interested in hearing about our resistance- and Minneapolis is inspiring!
#1 How are we doing? How’s your self-care? What’s working?
What did we say as we gathered to talk about how we’re doing and what self care was helping in particular? Though finding balance can be hard sometimes. There were familiar refrains about exercise, hiking-without a phone, being outdoors, getting sun, joyful play with grandchildren, coming to D2 meetings and sticking pins in a doll named Trump. A great way to release tension. Watching news intake seems to be a part of everyone’s program by now, though others worry about keeping up. We’re not looking away!
Another thread from a different group highlighted meditating before protests with friends, going to the protest together and setting aside time afterwards to recover. Most groups mentioned it hugely important to seek out those who shared their views and values about what’s happening. Several folks expressed a desire to form an affinity group.
One person’s report of having to fight a pillar of the establishment at work was that it was frustrating, but they’re seeing some progress. And in general, taking action came up a lot. Even if it’s just one thing a week. Finding something meaningful to do, scored lots of self-care points, likeputting up yard signs. And there was more than one reference to the fun to be had at honk and waves! Volunteering, helping people in some purposeful way, such as taking groceries to our neighbors in hiding made the list. Seems the answer to question #3 about finding your spot in our resistance movement is helping to answer question #1 about self-care:)
#2 If you’ve been talking with others who hold different views, how’s that going?
“The colonies have grown up under constitutions of government so different, there was so great a variety of religions, they were composed of so many different nations. Their customs, manners and habits had so little resemblance. Their intercourse had been so rare and their knowledge of each other so imperfect that to unite them in the same principles of theory, and the same system of action was certainly a very difficult enterprise.” — John Adams from Ken Burn’s The American Revolution, Episode 4
Several people expressed having limited connections to MAGA folks. But found themselves with people in the center or with aligned values who were not taking action due to overwhelm, not knowing what to do or they had given up. It seemed to help to sincerely ask these folks “what’s stopping you, what would it take?” with curiosity and no judgement. To take time to share how “it makes me feel better to take action and this is what I’m doing.”
Along those same lines another group came up with the following questions to ask:
*What would it take to get involved?
*What’s on your mind?
*What’s stopping you?
*Here’s how to access information….”
Also just relationship building and showing up over and over without pressuring the other was proving successful. And highlighting the importance of doing work behind the scenes, sharing that action is broader than protesting. Along these lines another report mentions asking questions of school leaders, “What to do about ICE?” And another declared outright that it was hard to engage with Mafia Don’s supporters. Perhaps a training in Deep Canvasing?
#3 Have you found your spot in our resistance movement?
Responses ranged from a solid yes, feeling very looped into activities balanced with self-care, to starting to find my way, to want to find an affinity group and need to find activities for limited mobility… Folks are looking at what they’re capable of and doing what they can.
Examples of what we’re doing and want to do include:
*Handing out the flyer, “10 Steps to Autocracy”
*Making coffee at D2 meetings
*PIRC trainings & bracelets, protesting, sharing info with others
*Reaching out to people that don’t agree with us
*Street Theater
*Reclaim MLK march
*Making a giant puppet for NO KINGS
*Becoming super organized and brainstorming strategies for resistance
*Honk and Waves!!!
*Marry the Constitution :)
Brown Hope received special mention several times as we look to make our resistance movement more inclusive and focus on racial justice. SURG, Standing Up for Racial Justice, was acknowledged for their trainings, as we find that organizations are not acknowledging attacks on the black community.
#4 Reads/trainings/inspiration mentioned this month?
Resistance Bootcamp, Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition PIRC Training and Buddhist teachings all were deemed valuable. Listening to Heather Cox-Richardson came up again. Recommended books included Pleasure Activism by Adrien Marie Brown, Reasons Not to Worry by Brigid Delany, the novel Innocent by Ian McEwan, and Building Resilient Organizations by Maurice Mitchell.
Thanks for your lovely notes everyone, much appreciated! I look forward to seeing you at our February D#2 meeting.
- Gail