Things I am Mad About, Things I (you, we) Can Do
is my role in the revolution printing shit? because I love printing shit.
The attempt to ban masks in my state, Texas, during a goddamn measles outbreak.
What we can do: This script is pretty thorough! Also, wear your fucking mask! Even if you stopped masking, it’s okay to start again. To admit that you should. We keep each other safe.
The attempt to take the DEI ban even further in Texas, possibly including academic work. It is Texas House Bill 2548. It has only been filed.
What we can do: Working on this one.
The goddamn park service. I don’t use national parks but I know they are a public good and several people I love work for them.
What We Can Do: 5 calls isn’t enough but they have a good script for this one
Elon Musk needs to get the goddamn hell out of my government. He also needs to get out of the Valley.
What We Can Do: Not as many people outside of Texas no about this one, so please read about it. This essay is beautiful. Also read this Texas Observer article from 2021 about the SpaceX launchpad and Musk’s invasion of Brownsville/other parts of the Valley. Then, learn about Boca Chica, Corazon Grande, a community oral history project. Maybe get involved. Maybe donate. Maybe just watch the films they have. I also liked this article on it as a value struggle, Clua-Losada, M. (October 2024): “Challenging SpaceX on the US–Mexico border: Value struggles against racial authoritarian neoliberalism”, Environment and Planning.
Ice on campus. Ice in the city. At schools. On buses. In hospitals. I just want to scream “OUT OUT OUT.”
What You Can Do?: Print and Distribute Red Cards. They are working. Put a Private Office sign on your door.
Abortion has been illegal in Texas for 2.5 years.
What You Can Do: Join your local abortion fund. Order (free) Plan C stickers and stick them everywhere. Support Your People. Volunteer to help those who need abortions. Become an abortion Doula (this can be expensive but is also cool as hell). This is in an person Abortion Doula training coming up in Houston. Spiral is based in MN, but they have a ton of resources and also offer trainings. And Radical Doula has a huge list of orgs that offer trainings and other resources.
I was about to submit my application for a gender neutral passport but my birth certificate is missing. Maybe it’s good that my documents weren’t taken/destroyed/added to a list but I also lost the chance to be listed as me. Maybe forever.
What You Can Do: Support your people.
Disabled people at UT are left to die. Cool.
What You Can Do: Support Fabiola and this badass TX senate Bill, 752 which would improve evacuation procedures in educational settings for those with disabilities.
Some more personal anger:
Maybe I’m a coward. But I stopped the process towards medically transitioning right now. I hate the way my body exists but at least it exists.
Planes keep falling from the sky and I do not understand why???
Reading the heart breaking stories of my queer students in Texas
Wanting to run right out of a city I now love but being unwilling to give up on it.
Exhaustion.