When to say no to organizing

Let’s be honest…Most of the people who are reactively signing up to organize will not be there in a month - 2 months tops.I went to a mutual aid meeting a few days ago, and there were a lot of people (white people mainly) that were enthusiastic about being helpful. It was their first time at the meeting. Love to see it. We need all the allies to be hands on. But…I have many but’s coming up.A longtime participant named that they would like to meet twice a month at least, because the needs are urgent. An organizer asked the large group who can commit to meeting twice a month and almost everyone raised their hand. I almost LOL’d out loud.There is no way everyone can sustain that.I’ve joined many groups where by the second meeting, most of the people aren’t there and I won’t see them again.I’m not trying to be a negative Nancy, but having a good heart and being aligned with leftist values isn’t enough.It’s a disservice to ourselves and each other when we aren’t honest. We always use the term “capacity” and I’m going to keep on using it! Because it’s important.Telling people who are in vulnerable situations that you commit to them means something. And to not be able to follow through is not only rude but potentially very dangerous. It is selfish to appease the part of ourselves that want to believe we are good people, but not be able to do what we say.Yes. Capacity ebbs and flows. Sometimes it does so in a surprising way, and that’s ok. Life happens. But the thing about life, is that life happening is actually pretty predictable. We need to be honest and measure in the surprises that comes with being alive. It isn’t ok to say yes to things without really weighing your responsibility with honor and respect.Let me tell you, it will be uncomfortable and inconvenient consistently to be showing up for one another. It’s winter here in Chicago, and it pains me to leave my apartment every time. Not only is it uncomfortable and inconvenient, but organizing with humans with their personalities, shortcomings, messiness, trauma, etc. can be so frustrating.But what roots us?I just facilitated a workshop yesterday about being rooted in love. I shared:A common feedback I’ve gotten from folks that aren’t in my inner circles (that you might also be familiar with) is being told that I’m too harsh and hard on…namely white people or people that don’t “think like me”. And I always reply: I am harsh and hard on white supremacy, on zionism, on evil systems, on genocide. But it roots out of deep love for people and faith for what is actually possible. It is resistance to the acceptance that people have to be exploited, murdured, policed, and diminished to less than human…period. That resistance to apathy is LOVE.Love of land, love for my people, love for my global siblings, love for my neighbors, love of children, love of families staying together, love of creativity and music, love of indigenous culture, love of language staying in the mouths of the people.LOVE.There is no fight - no resistance - without love. There is no bravery without love.Last year I said yes to ALOT. And when my mental/spiritual health shifted, I had to pull out of most of it. Everyone was so understanding and kind. But I didn’t love doing that. So this year, I want to be more mindful of what I’m saying yes to. I want to deepen the relationships, and say yes from a rooted place.What does Liberatory Imagination spark in me today?A future where honesty is honored. Where energy is abundant, because capitalism and empire has fallen. Imagine what life would be like where we don’t have to work endlessly for housing and food. Imagine what our world would be like when the class war is over. I can’t wait for the day when we have abolished the billionaires and the rich. The land wants to be in relationship with us and has so much to give. And as Robin Kimmerer in Braiding Sweetgrass reminds us - we aren’t a destructive pest on earth. We are meant to nourish the land and have it nourish us back. She writes that the earth can benefit from us being here.(Look out for the video via spotify podcast and mayyybbeee youtube.)How to support me (thank you in advance):Currently, I’m in between jobs and would appreciate any support you can afford.* Be a paid subscriber. All my posts are accessible for everyone, and it would mean so much to me on my path of figuring out how to sustain myself under capitalism.* Buy me a cup of coffee. Every bit counts! You can venmo me at @tiffanywongart with note “coffee from substack!”liberatory imagining is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to LIBERATORY IMAGINATION at tiffanywongart.substack.com/subscribe