The Bare Excessities

To be in a space together with so many people who are there for the same cause feels amazing. A privilege, even. After feeling alienated in a group of people so many times it feels like a warm bath to just be somewhere, not having to do or say anything to prove that you’re a fun person with a bubbly personality. Because, being there already means that you care - at least enough to show up. That’s what matters.   

Whilst sharing each other’s hummus and sandwiches and checking in how everybody’s feeling about the upcoming protest, strategies are discussed, forms are filled in and trainings are given. I sit in a group of people that we formed a few weeks ago. It is nice to know who to look out for during the protest. We go round the circle and talk about our ideas, concerns, excitements and worries. Someone passes me a Yerba Mate and I don’t know what it is or what to do with it. When it’s my turn to tell how I’m feeling about the upcoming action on monday, I don’t say that getting up at 4 a.m. is my biggest worry. Well, it actually wasn’t. The risk to get arrested was scary and not only to me. But we were all certain that we have a privilege and need to use it. Someone in the group reminds us that “when the government is not protecting its citizens from climate catastrophe, you need to do something.” We all nod our heads.