Hello Friends,
I would like to suggest that we start with a big deep breath.
In. Hold four. Out.
Maybe one more just to be on the safe side.
In. Hold four. Out.
Well done.
So, a lot has happened in the month since we last spoke. This email will be a long one but hopefully it will be helpful to you as we are all holding a whole lot of trauma right now. The first bit is going to be about keeping perspective and actions you can take right now around abortion. The second is more of a personal update as I was in pretty terrifying accident on my way to Buffalo. Short story, my RV is totaled. Needless to say June was not the birthday/pride month I was hoping for. After that, I’ve got some upcoming events and an update on the craftivism grant winner’s progress for you.
Let’s start with a big ole…
I’m not sure where to even start. I have seen, felt, and mirror back your outrage over all the SCOTUS decisions from guns to abortion to climate to tribal lands and so much more.
Let’s remind ourselves that progress is not a straight line. This country is built on inequity and injustice. The hope that I hold onto is the belief that the more we lay bare our truth, examine our history, live in transparency, and face the reality of what has been created, the easier and faster it will be to reimagine and recreate all of it – true justice for all. This feels like it could be a real pivot point for us if we are willing to do whatever needs to be done (including not abiding by immoral laws).
I encourage you to continue to remind yourself of the progresses we have made and that we have opportunities every single day to move the needle towards justice. The radical right has been working consistently and strategically since Roe passed to overturn it. Their work paid off. Here we are. As fucked up as it is…they KNOW how to play the long game.
Are you ready to commit to the long game? There’s so much powerful rage right now and it’s very exciting to think of that being channeled into action. The important part is not to burn through that rage in reaction to what’s just happened. This is a real moment to setup your long game strategy.
There is an overwhelming human need to “react” to these moments. Folks are on an emotional rollercoaster. Rollercoasters can be exciting and energizing but how many times can you ride one before you have to get off and throw up? We need to think about how we can sustain ourselves for a lifetime of action.
I don’t know about you but if I had to stay on a ride for an extended period, I’m much more of a monorail gal than a rollercoaster. Steady, consistent, exciting but not overwhelming, you have time to take in the beautiful scenery, talk to folks around you, read a book, take a nap, eat a snack. But you are still moving forward.
I’ve seen a lot of folks who are fired up (yay!) but who are now trying to reinvent the wheel or reaching out to the folks who have been doing this work forever and demanding ways to help.
1) These folks have been asking for proactive support forever. So, take a beat and remember that.
2) They are damn busy right now having to re-strategize or implement the plans they have been making for years because – they saw it coming.
So, if you are new to taking action and you find yourself getting frustrated that there isn’t an easy way to do some work - I ask you to take a deep breath and know there will be millions of ways that you are going to need to be of assistance in the coming years. Don’t give up!
Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to do some reflection journaling or art making and identify the ONE CAUSE that you feel so passionately about that you are willing to commit to a lifetime of action on that issue. ONE. Seriously. MONOrail. This doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t tap in on other issue when asked. Sometimes it’s all hands-on deck. That said, all justice work is intertwined. If everyone is working on something, eventually we will find the justice we seek. And hopefully we also enjoyed our lives while we worked to get there!
You have opportunities every day to improve the lives of other humans.
Start there. Daily actions.
I did promise I would provide you with some actions you can take today to start channeling some of that rage – and that’s important. Rage will eat you alive if it’s not channeled. So besides deep self-reflection and developing your life-long activist strategy, here’s some things you can do around abortion…
Start building and expanding your community networks. Hold social gatherings and get to know your neighbors. Gather regularly. Talk about the challenges facing your community. Learn from each other. Listen to each other. Make art together. How can you make life in your immediate community better?
Donate to abortion funds consistently (https://abortionfunds.org/)
Fundraise for abortion funds
Register with Abortion Access Front for this mass training on July 17th (https://www.aafront.org/operation-save-abortion/)
Become an abortion clinic escort (article on that for you: https://www.glamour.com/story/how-to-become-an-abortion-clinic-escort)
Become an abortion doula (Info on that: http://www.diydoula.org/)
Read up on The Jane Collective
Read the book On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder
Read the Handbook for a Post Roe America by Robin Marty
Show up to protests and marches if you can
Cover the damn country in pro-abortion messages
Share helpful information like how to secure abortion pills (https://www.plancpills.org/)
This is just a brainstorm to get you started if you need some guidance. I will continue to share resources every month to keep you informed and call you in when I hear of a specific need. There will be many needs in the coming months and years, pace yourself, keep chasing joy while you fight for collective liberation.
Major Bummer Alert:
As you probably know, I’ve been traveling the US for the past two years in my RV to bring my work to communities that invited me in. It’s been an astounding adventure and a challenge since day one. That whole pandemic thing, the loss of both of my fur babies over those two years, nearly dying in that stupid storm in Austin.
The adventure was totally worth it thanks to the amazing humans that I got to spend time working with. Y’all are the shit.
On June 19th I had just wrapped up a weekend of events at Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh and was making my way towards New York to do some community art making with Stitch Buffalo. It was a beautiful morning. No one was on the road. I was singing at the top of my lungs and appreciating the easy drive when SLAM! Honestly, I had no idea what happened. I thought maybe a deer had run into the rig because there was no one on the road. I had to do some quick maneuvering to keep control of the rig and when I looked in my side mirror, I saw things flying everywhere and an SUV lost control and drove across two lanes and off the highway.
I was able to pull over relatively quickly. I got out and saw that the back left side of my RV was destroyed. I screamed like I’ve never screamed before. I surprised myself. A primal scream that left me without a voice for days. Then I got my shit together. A truck driver pulled over and checked on me – his name is Jimmy. I called 911. We both ran back to check on the other driver as I reported the accident. We ran across the highway and when we got to the top of the embankment, we froze. I said to 911, “I don’t think they could have survived.” Neither of us moved. There was a massive tree branch going right through the front window on the driver’s side. Then by some miracle we saw the driver wave a hand at us.
Jimmy ran over and opened the door. That branch was inches from the drivers face. Anyway, as you can imagine it was a whole scene. The other driver was mostly uninjured. Unfortunately, he had been using drugs – which explains how he just drove right into me going 70 mph on a highway with no other cars. I am pissed but thankful that he hit me and not a car because a car could not have sustained that hit the way I was able to. I’m also super fucking grateful that I was physically unharmed and that he survived.
I was able to drive the rig to a nearby hotel (huge shout out to the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Slippery Rock, PA for their amazing staff). I ended up staying a week. I had misplaced my license at some point in the drama and had no way to rent anything. I flew my homegirl in from Florida and rented a van which she had to drive the whole way to my parents’ house in the Boston area.
In the meantime, an amazing quilter from Insta (@cheralees) picked me up and brought me to buy boxes and packing materials so I could box all of my things! Can you believe how amazing this community is?!
Insurance came out to the hotel and declared the RV totaled. Where he hit me caused the entire “home” part of the RV to twist which fucked up everything. It broke my damn heart. I lost my ride, my home, and my work mobile. Poor Furiosa.
Now I’m at my parent’s home, my belongings are in storage, and I’m in my childhood bedroom (insert maniacal laugh). I am holding A LOT of emotions at the same time. I mostly fluctuate between gratitude and rage.
I’m trying to take some time to recover from this epic blow – I will. I will keep you posted on things.
Some of my community got together and started a GoFundMe to help me get back on my feet financially. My insurance only covered the amount that I still owed on the RV. So, I walked away with no debt (yay!) but with no home, no vehicle, less of my things (they got crushed up on the highway) and several cancelled paid opportunities. I’m alive and healthy though! This is a good example of the gratitude/rage duality. LOL
Thank you all for being supportive and understanding. Community is paramount.
Upcoming Events
First let me say, I will be in New England for awhile so hit me up if you want to coordinate some fun events in the Northeast. I’m also always available for Zoom stuff. I literally just got off a Zoom with some amazing high school students from around the world who are spending the summer in CT learning about community activism! My heart is full and my hope is high after that one.
August 7th - Lowell, MA
Intro to Craftivism and Embroidery at Lowell Makes
August 10th - Reading, MA
Intro to Craftivism and Embroidery at Reading Library
August 11th - Zoom
Appreciation Not Appropriation - Navigating Cultural Minefields in Craft presented by: Melissa Mason
CRAFTIVISM GRANT WINNER UPDATE
The School of Needlework for Disobedient Women begins on July 11th!
It is a free 2-week workshop for girls ages 12-17 taking place in Berea, KY.
There are still a few spots so spread the word to all of your friends in Appalachia!
The gals putting this together have been working their asses off and I am really proud of them!
More info and registration here.
I told you it was a long one. Stay strong my friends. We have much to do. Know that I love you and I am proud of you.
More soon.
<3 Shannon