Just Fucking Vote
Plus the supper club, the mutual aid move, and what's keeping me upright this week
Looking at my calendar, I have exactly 8 minutes to write this email and get it out, which sounds insane but is emblematic of how under pressure I’ve felt since I got back to the US. (I’m talking to text just to make sure it goes out today.)
Maybe it’s something about coming back from vacation, stepping back into a faster lifestyle in general after two weeks in Peru. This morning I took an hour-and-a-half stress walk in 88% humidity while on work calls. It’s a Tuesday. Right now this mountain feels impossible to climb, but I’m going to do my best, so expect this one to be quick and accept any typos with grace.
So here are three things I’m working on now that I’m back:
1. It’s time to vote.
I’m disillusioned, not disengaged. I feel like the American political system no longer works for us, but if voting wasn’t important, they would not be trying to steal the right to vote from us. Yes, DC is not a state, so we are at a disadvantage, but local elections have a huge impact on our day-to-day lives in ways we actually feel.
Part of the reason I’m logging off early tonight is to fill out the ballot that came in the mail.
Just fucking vote.
For my ward, I’m voting Aparna Raj for DC Council. For mayor, Janeese George. The rest of my ballot, frankly, I’ll be googling my way through, and there’s no shame in that.
2. Supper club as a practice.
I’m really excited for our Supper Club tomorrow. I’m holding onto it as a bright spot and for everyone who comes, I have goodies I brought back from Peru 👀
Supper club has been a practice for me. Showing up no matter how busy I am. Showing up even though I’m tired. Showing up with intention, with the energy to connect and be open. It’s a practice I value.
May is full, but we just opened June’s seats at a local Black woman-owned Caribbean restaurant I’ve loved for years. Join us.
3. Being kinder.
Coming back to the US and watching people in the airport, I noticed how stretched everyone feels right now. In any way you can show up for yourself, do so. If you can show up for your community, do so.
One way I’m doing that: I finally paid off the little bit of divorce debt I had from taking time off after I divorced, so I’m increasing my mutual aid contribution.
I travel a lot, which means I’m sometimes not the most reliable person to knock on doors or phone bank. I try to show up when I can. As an entrepreneur and a business owner, fundamentally someone who has to be a capitalist inside this system, another way I show up is financially.
I’m a member of the Community Money Moving Project (CMMP). Their spring cycle just closed, but you can fill out the form anyway and get on the list for the next one.
Okay, three minutes over after spellcheck and some cleanup, but we made it. I am moving this week into a new apartment in DC, so bear with me if I'm not as responsive. Send me good moving vibes, because there's nothing as dysregulating and frustrating as a move.