#polictics

I'll be posting a limited amount of current news, specifically stuff that I think is high value.

but I also want to say, perhaps controversially, that I am a big champion of paying less attention. (big disclaimer please read!!!!!: that doesn't mean no attention. also I'm talking to the tumblr folks who are above-average in political awareness.)

there is an issue with getting bogged down in every terrible micro-action, possibility, or even outright conspiracy theory.

so and so said such and such transphobic thing on a podcast? that sucks, but do you need to read the whole thing word for word? following that kind of stuff (especially if we already knew they were shitty) multiplied by every shitty person out there--look, it doesn't ALL need to be on your radar.

then there's the despairing predictions: "well, trans suicide rates are going to go up" or "welcome to facist america". some are somewhat true, or at least could become true, and it's worth considering potential consequences. but reading/watching too many anxious vents will damage your mental health.

like I want to speak really carefully here, I'm not saying these things don't MATTER on some level, but is it important for you, specifically, to know all of them? do you personally need to be consuming warnings and fear-mongering? Maybe try asking yourself what content is adding to your understanding and what is just making you upset. look for stuff framed as "here's how you can offer a helping hand to trans people right now" or "if this facist thing happens, this is how we can try to mitigate it."

I try to find things that are some combination of: is not widely known already, provides actionable advice, has novel analysis of a situation, inspires hope rather than despair, and/or adds nuance to the discussion. I also try to limit where and when I might encounter upsetting news--like avoiding it when i first wake up. I think it's better to have places you go to, consciously, for news updates, rather than having them appear randomly on your feed--maybe try having multiple accounts, or blocking news on some sites but not others, or at least taking breaks.

my social justice, news, current events etc. tag is #sj. I'll never be offended by someone blocking this tag. if you post/reblog similar topics, I recommend you also have a tag, though of course, it's your blog to do with as you wish.

I (19NB) have a friend I've known since high school. I trusted her with a lot of stuff including coming out to her rather soon in my queer journey. I got kicked out of my house at the begining of June and she was the first person I called. My father had been harassing me and had declared that he wanted everyone like me dead. I had to tell her parents but they were okay, not accepting but okay. She had given me the impression that she was liberal leaning. She said she was glad her school was liberal, and she was upset about the stuff my dad was saying. She was even dating the son of an immigrant family. I've shared a lot with her including my excitement about filing for a name change and what my name was going to be along with a lot of worries I had.

She turned 18 today and I texted her a joke that she could finally vote right after "the dictator" was voted into office. She replied with "well I would have voted for the dictator anyway." I exploded, asking her why she would think that and telling her I've been having panic attacks and fearing for my life since I got to news. I she tolf me she's always been a conservative republican and she just "never wanted to talk politics" with me. I feel sick, manipulated, and betrayed, but she's also my best friend. I feel like I'm losing a big thing by losing her and I will lose her family too, but I don't think I can trust her anymore. I don't know what to do.

I know the polerising politics is a big deal right now and that it's not great for people to not be able to be friends who have different political beliefs but these are my rights on the line-- and hers too though she doesn't seem to care. She told me she doesn't want to talk about it, but I just... I don't know. She says that there are more people to consider than just me, and I reminded her of all of the people who are being negatively effected by this and the fact that there are women DYING do to thing this man and the far right have done. She doesn't care.

Would I be the asshole if I stopped being her friend over this??? I already blocked her on discord and on one of my phones but not on the other and I haven't done anything about any of the other social media platforms. I just feel sick.

In these tree days they've already tried to destroy laws that ensures the quality in higher education and named as prime minister a man who is openly misogynistic, racist and homophobic. We are scared about what other things they will do just to satisfy their own interests, we are scared that they will cancel next elections using covid as an excuse.

People all over the country is protesting but they are facing police brutality and the Congress is protecting police.

Three countries in Latin America has accepted this illegitimate government, we just want the world to know. Youth of Peru is fighting back.

its like they are playing a game of ring around the rosie

they all held hands and got corona from being close, (ring around the rosie), they didn’t use any effective safe gaurds, (pockets full of posies), and its all falling down on them (we all fall down).