So, Now What? Post-Election Reflections and Resources

Group check in. How are we all doing? It’s okay if your answer is:

If you’re feeling let down or even ashamed of having hope for a different outcome, we want to share these words from Austin Channing Brown:

Hope for progress is a dangerous thing.

But what is the alternative? What would you have rather done with your time and energy? Speaking up was a good use of your time. Working for change was a good use of your energy. Trying to change the world was the right choice.

Would you rather have chosen apathy? Would you rather have chosen silence? Would you rather have swallowed yourself whole? Surely not.

Because hope is a duty.

And your hope is only tangentially related to the fate of the White House. What is always at stake is the deep belief in your own humanity, in your personhood.

What is at stake is dignity and your dignity is always the right thing to fight for. You must hope because you are worthy.

You are worthy of your humanity being honored. You are worthy of equality and equal protection. You are worthy of everything you fought for.

Hope is a duty. Even when it hurts.

Be angry. But not as yourself for wanting better.

So, now what?

Here’s the good news (yes, good). We are still the same people we were before November 5th. We are still working toward the same life-changing missions, still building community, and still fighting for a more just and equitable future.

So now, we keep doing what we’ve been doing, louder and more intentionally, not only in our professional lives, but in our personal lives, too. We dig into our communities, we fight for each other, and we grasp tightly to hope.

We’ve been finding ourselves doing all sorts of activities to channel the energy we’re feeling right now. If you’re in the same boat, we came up with a list of suggested ways you can direct what you’re feeling locally, and with minimal risk. (Small, positive wins are sometimes all we need to get back on track mentally): 

• Join a community garden.
• Start a book club.
• Volunteer on a Saturday morning.
• Check in on your people.
• Follow more activists and community organizations on social media.
• Have an uncomfortable conversation with someone you love.
• Donate to a local organization.
  

***And to our fellow white folks, especially white women, LISTEN, learn and unlearn, and pay people of color for their time and expertise. If you’re light on funds or access to people you feel can help further your education LIBRARIES are available to everyone (at least for now).

We are grateful for the folks that have been doing the hard work of bringing greater social justice to this country for a long time. Below is a list of articles, books, and other resources we recommend. They’ve either been incredibly helpful to TPC team members personally or they have been recommended to us by trusted advisors and are on our “to read list” also. There are so many valuable resources out there so please use this list as a starting point to share with others and add your own.

P.S. This is the perfect time to ditch Amazon prime and support your local library (did we mention we LOVE libraries?)

California grantmakers pledge to defend state’s values

Check Your Privilege

Good People Party

Grieve, Connect, Act, Reflect, Correct. (Repeat)

The Fire Next Time

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness

The Nap Ministry

Our commitment to working Californians, supporting immigrant communities in a new reality

The Trevor Project

Vibe Check Podcast

White Tears/Brown Scars

Why the path to leading authentically is different for PoC

Women, Race & Class

This holiday season, let us all remember that we really are in this together. There’s no turning away from that truth. Team TPC is going to be in reflection for the balance of this year, working on our strategy for how we can continue to have the most positive impact possible on the communities we are trusted to serve. 

As always, please reach out if you’re looking for support. 

We’re rooting for your success!

-Team TPC