May we commit to us.

Dear John,

Caspian, a dear member of TakeAction Minnesota, often reminds me of our special relationship with water. Yesterday, in Saint Paul, it rained. I was grateful for it. 

I stepped outside and let the rain roll down my skin. I imagined it was picking up the stressors in my life right now, integrating with them, and transforming them into helpful things stressors can teach about myself and the world around me. I imagined the rain carrying it all away, back to nourish our earth. 

What have you been finding comfort in lately? 

On March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID a global pandemic. Today is March 11th and it will be our first anniversary of living in this new world together. I am deeply sad, thinking of the 500,000+ people who have died due to COVID-19. It is hard to envision the magnitude of our loss.  

Each person has a family, and people that love them. Each person is thought about daily by someone. Each person is absolutely precious.  

The trial of Derek Chauvin also began this week. Here's our statement on it.  At the heart of it, we must remember George Floyd, whose loved ones are mourning sacred life. We must commit to a future where each of us is safe. The Yes 4 Minneapolis campaign moves us closer towards a future without police. Learn more about the campaign, and if you’re a registered voter in Minneapolis; sign the petition.  

Mariame Kaba says that hope is a discipline, and I see our discipline. We have not wavered from our vision of justice in our communities. We continue to build, to imagine, to create our future together. We care for ourselves and each other with tenderness and thought.  

We commit to this because we believe that the future we deserve is possible. I see parts of it coming together every day. In our homes, workplaces, places of worship and study, and in our broader community. My co-worker, Katie, shared this poem at our March member meeting. I think about it often. May we commit to us.

Image: Excerpt from 'Princples' by Danez Smith 

Here are some steps you can take for our bright future: 

💫 Build a People’s Memorial. Make space for grief, healing, and remembering the loved ones we’ve lost this year. Reply to this email if you'd like to build one together.

💫 Learn about the Yes4Minneapolis campaign, and if you’re a registered voter in Minneapolis, commit to signing the petition. 

💫 Join with community and grassroots leaders next Wednesday, March 17 to process the insurrection, heal, and mobilize for the democracy we deserve. 

Take care, 

LyLy