I'm honored to be involved in work that supports and empowers diverse and marginalized people and communities. There is so much joy here. This is the work that makes the world better for us all. This is the way, and we won't waiver from our mission and our purpose.

What about you?

Now, more than ever, is the time to show up and be intentional.

Now is the time to double down.

What the world needs right now, and always, are organizations and individuals willing to double down on the truths that are being threatened and denied - that the richness of the diversity of us is the best thing about us, and that all people are valuable and worthy members of our community.

What are you doing? What are you going to do?

We are either acting to affirm, protect, and empower the value and worth of all people, or we are acting against it.

People with characteristics of power in systems of oppression are either actively working against the oppressive systems, or they are perpetuating them. No action (or inaction) is neutral for those of us with power and influence.

This is an important time for an important reminder: only people with significant power can even imagine, much less consider, an option to keep their heads down and avoid the consequences, and people with power in oppressive systems aren't capable of neutrality.

Will you still think that when the worst consequences come, so long as they don't touch you directly? What if they do reach you or people you love?

There are important questions for us all to ask in this moment. What about you? Do you believe if you keep your head down and move carefully - neutralize yourself - that this may all be ok?

Unfortunately, a lot of hurt and harm will occur as we wait for the pendulum to reverse and return to aim at the path of honoring shared humanity and working to dismantle systems of oppression.

In case you're wondering or uncertain, let me say plainly: it's the wrong move. It's always been the wrong move, and the consequences that will come from it - have already come from it - will eventually swing our collective focus back in the direction of justice and community.

A hedging of bets, if you will.

Join me in celebrating the kind, creative, strong, sarcastic, funny, smart, stubborn, determined, loving, and devoted Emory Caron Brewer. She deserves all of her flowers today (and whatever coins you'd like to toss - $miikaa0).

I love you with everything that I got, babe. Happy birthday!

You cannot lead, and if you cannot learn to support work that doesn't center you or allow you to lead, you will always be part of the problem.

You are not the expert here. You know nothing of surviving oppression and necessary coalition building. You've never had to learn those lessons, and they were never taught to you. In fact, you were taught the opposite, that you have a right to comfort, regardless of the condition of the world.