Tag: resistance

In Praise Of Minnesota Winters

On By erintothemaxIn CommentaryLeave a comment

Let me tell you about the lovely Minnesota winters. The deep, unsoothable itch of your skin. The knuckles and fingertips that crack open and bleed, staining your sheets. But the surface-level issues are nothing. I want to praise the way the inside of your nostrils hurt the moment you hit air. I want to offer my respects to the blinding nature of sun on snow. I want to feel the pride of having looked down on people from Chicago who bitch about winter as it comes to Illinois, because honestly?

They have no fucking idea.

“Ice Box of the Nation” is International Falls, Minnesota. The coldest temperatures in the nation are Minnesota. Period.

The people shooting people, teargassing clergy, intimidating Minnesota’s schoolchildren, arresting people regardless of citizenship status, demonizing the Somali community, driving immigrants and people of color into hiding, and terrorizing the whole damn state?

They have NO IDEA what is coming.

You can pop out of Texas. Florida. Oklahoma. Wherever they recruited you (jail? nothing would surprise) without caring that maybe you’re waving more red flags than a hurricane.

You think you’re tough. You can think you can wave your gun around to keep you warm. You know, you’ve got a little face cloth you wear because suddenly you’re into that. But these things won’t work.

There’s actually a severe weather advisory on its way. Because this is Minnesota, fools.

Starting tomorrow night, we’re talking about windchills as low as 34 below zero. This isn’t a matter of bundling up or keeping coffee in the car. But these arrogant folks? I guarantee you they think it is.

Napoleon tried to charge into the Russian winter. Didn’t work. Hitler did, too. We know how Operation Barbarossa turned out. There are some types of man versus nature that no weaponry can overcome.

While I don’t live there now, I’m born and raised Minnesotan. Spent my twenties there. I have always remained emotionally and psychologically Minnesotan. I’m incredibly proud of my community in these dark days. I know they are resilient, however much they are hurting and scared.

I also know they actually know how to deal with winter. Unlike, ahem, their invaders.

So this?

These are hard temperatures. Anyone serious knows windchill is the real game.

Yeah, baby, yeah.

Gratitude For People With Depression Who Choose To Keep Going

On By erintothemaxIn Commentary1 Comment

I am grateful for everyone who struggles with depression and related conditions, and chooses to keep going.

It’s not easy. You rock.

The radical act of self-affirmation — even when we feel like crap — is the root of all power, personal and collective. Our ability to make change rests upon our ability to believe in ourselves.

Believing in ourselves has never been more important. Our nation is on the verge of leadership by those who rule by force, lying, and manipulation. The attempts to tear people down will be many.

When we are hurting we are easier to hurt. We must resist attacks on our bodies, minds, and lives.

It should be noted that external realities are not the reason why you should love yourself.

Every day is the right day to stop taking shit from a brain that is working against you, to stop taking shit from other people, and to accept your body’s right to take up space just as it is.

There is nothing strategic about allowing anyone — including yourself — to treat you as lesser than.

Affirm your right to take up space. Embrace your right to pleasure and freedom from violence, including psychological violence.

If you can’t love yourself yet, just choose to keep going. Another day may allow you to get there. Truly this is the most radical thing you can do.

P.S. As I always say to someone I care about, “Keep pushing. It’s worth it.”