This is exactly what I needed right now. I hold at least a couple of roles and it changes depending on how much I’m needed at home as a caregiver. I want to be out there and fight back, however the idea isn’t to “fight” back it’s to “resist” back. You’re correct that it can be accomplished in several different ways. Just because I can’t always go out and protest, doesn’t mean I’m not doing enough. Just because I need to take time for myself away from the news and at times that grows to being a week long stint or longer. When I do go out and protest though I realize that I need to have more of a plan, not that I didn’t have the start of one. I’m naturally and professionally a photographer and so I’ve been photographing and capturing footage when able and lending a hand to those around me when I see the need. It’s in my nature to also care so it’s hard to not do both. Having boundaries and a plan of action for defense of my own life and the safety of those I come with and helping encourage positive actions of citizens around me.
This is something everyone needs to read. Thank you for this, I will reshare it as it is incredibly urgent everyone who’s protesting reads this or something of this sort.
Not everyone can or should be in the streets. My best friend has lupus and isn’t physically someone who can risk large crowds. Photography is an incredibly powerful medium as it both presents and preserves the historical record. Thank you for what you do. You’re proof we can all do something ❤️
Great advice. And I want to add, music artist sing your protest songs or write new protest songs or commentary’s. Use humor, you who have the gift of comedy. Or writers give us your wisdom or POV. Artists draw what you feel, paint what you see.The creative arts are so important. Understand that under fascism and dictators there is no art. And many times the artists are locked up or killed. Just look at Russia, North Korea and China. Art requires freedom of expression and speech.
Let’s use our artistic talents to narrate and motivate and speak out.
Goeff this is FANTASTIC advice; thank you. Joy is creativity in motion, and without joy we cant; sustain outrage. Each of us can bring our gifts to the cause: humor music, writers, graphic designers, or patrons of the arts. This is another thing authoritarianism has no defense against, and one of the FIRST things empire attempts to shut down.
I’ve been a performer, musician and songwriter for 60 years. A professional composer for 50 years. Lately a filmmaker. I’ve posted several music videos of my political commentary songs. One was taken down from YouTube with their warning of expulsion.
I’m working on my latest song. A show tune with irony. Shooting it with an actress I know for the music video. Here’s the lyrics.
There’s something about the way you wrote it — steady, informed, grounded in truth and humanity — that made it impossible to look away. It didn’t feel reactive. It felt clear. And that clarity shook me.
Your acknowledgment of white privilege, especially in the context of fear, felt honest without being self-protective. And the line about not bringing guilt if the fear is new — that one stopped me. Because for some people, this fear isn’t new at all. And for others, it’s just now becoming real. You made space for both without collapsing into shame or defensiveness.
That balance is rare.
I walked away from this feeling more awake — not panicked, not self-righteous — just more awake.
This is a powerful piece. With your permission, I would be honored to republish this on FilmsForAction.org (an ad-free, activist learning library) and our Facebook page with attribution and a link back to the original plus an appeal for readers to subscribe to your Substack.
This is such good advice and information! I would love to put it in a handout format and include a link to https://activistchecklist.org/ for detailed safety tips. If I give you attribution (linking to this Substack) would you be ok with me sharing your content in this way?
Thank you! I will definitely include it. Would you like to see what I come up with? I'm happy to share it. Also, I work in TroubleNation with Red Wine & Blue and would love to share your words of wisdom with our TroubleNation groups across the country. We have over 750 of them.
The clearest, most sensible advice I have read: empathetic and realistic. Thanks. I am going to share this. Thank you!
Thank you. Practical, actionable guideline beats vibes every day ❤️
Thank you for this. Much appreciated.
We all have to do our parts if we plan on surviving this ❤️
This is exactly what I needed right now. I hold at least a couple of roles and it changes depending on how much I’m needed at home as a caregiver. I want to be out there and fight back, however the idea isn’t to “fight” back it’s to “resist” back. You’re correct that it can be accomplished in several different ways. Just because I can’t always go out and protest, doesn’t mean I’m not doing enough. Just because I need to take time for myself away from the news and at times that grows to being a week long stint or longer. When I do go out and protest though I realize that I need to have more of a plan, not that I didn’t have the start of one. I’m naturally and professionally a photographer and so I’ve been photographing and capturing footage when able and lending a hand to those around me when I see the need. It’s in my nature to also care so it’s hard to not do both. Having boundaries and a plan of action for defense of my own life and the safety of those I come with and helping encourage positive actions of citizens around me.
This is something everyone needs to read. Thank you for this, I will reshare it as it is incredibly urgent everyone who’s protesting reads this or something of this sort.
Not everyone can or should be in the streets. My best friend has lupus and isn’t physically someone who can risk large crowds. Photography is an incredibly powerful medium as it both presents and preserves the historical record. Thank you for what you do. You’re proof we can all do something ❤️
Thank you! This is so valuable.
I am doing what I can to help as a writer and student of history. Thank you for being present in this moment. ❤️
This is extremely helpful in preparing to be active according to what you can do!
We each can play a part and it doesn’t have to be the same part each time. Many backs lighten the load.
Bravo. just restacked, and will share on social media. comb. of empathy, care, and self care crucial.
Thank you. Empire has no defense against empathy at scale ❤️
Jackie, this is excellent. Thank you so much.
I’ll be sharing it with my church circle and my active buddies.
We all have parts to play. One of mine is disseminating history-based information that can be immediately put to use 👊🏾
It’s legit so helpful. Thank you.
Thank you. Today’s essay will focus on what those who can’t be in the streets can do. Stay tuned; I’m writing.
Great advice. And I want to add, music artist sing your protest songs or write new protest songs or commentary’s. Use humor, you who have the gift of comedy. Or writers give us your wisdom or POV. Artists draw what you feel, paint what you see.The creative arts are so important. Understand that under fascism and dictators there is no art. And many times the artists are locked up or killed. Just look at Russia, North Korea and China. Art requires freedom of expression and speech.
Let’s use our artistic talents to narrate and motivate and speak out.
Goeff this is FANTASTIC advice; thank you. Joy is creativity in motion, and without joy we cant; sustain outrage. Each of us can bring our gifts to the cause: humor music, writers, graphic designers, or patrons of the arts. This is another thing authoritarianism has no defense against, and one of the FIRST things empire attempts to shut down.
Jackie,
I’ve been a performer, musician and songwriter for 60 years. A professional composer for 50 years. Lately a filmmaker. I’ve posted several music videos of my political commentary songs. One was taken down from YouTube with their warning of expulsion.
I’m working on my latest song. A show tune with irony. Shooting it with an actress I know for the music video. Here’s the lyrics.
[instrumental introduction]
[verse one]
Congratulations Mr. Trump
You are a total success,
At destroying the whole world
After trashing your businesses.
You squandered your daddy’s money,
And now you think it’s funny,
To build your golden towers,
To take your golden showers.
[Chorus]
money doesn’t buy respect,
Money doesn’t buy you love,
Money doesn’t buy you friends,
Because you don’t love yourself at all.
[verse two]
Congratulations Mr. Trump
Taj Mahal and castle too.
The plaza and Trump Hotels
Your entertainment resorts are through.
Then you fly Trump airlines
Into the ground.
Trump’s steaks and vodka
No where to be found.
[Chorus]
money doesn’t buy respect
Money doesn’t buy you love
Money doesn’t buy you friends
Because you don’t love yourself at all.
[Bridge]
Your tour de trump,
And power and ale,
Everything you touch
Has eventually failed.
Now you’ve got the planet
To trash and destroy
With the troops you deploy
Now with Putin You’ve joined
Because The real you,
Is a nasty little boy.
[Chorus]
money doesn’t buy you respect,
Money doesn’t buy you love,
Money doesn’t buy you friends,
Because you don’t love yourself at all.
Because you don’t love yourself at all,
And soon your gonna fall…..
Gonna fall….
Thank you Jackie. Wise words for this terrifying time in our country.
This was beautiful, compassionate, and clear. Thank you sincerely for this. Brought a lot of clarity in the middle of a lot of confusion and grief.
New here. Grateful beyond grateful for your wisdom.
Welcome! Make yourself cozy. Kick off your shoes. Poke around, and let me know if you’ve got any questions.
👟 thank you! 😊
This really stayed with me.
There’s something about the way you wrote it — steady, informed, grounded in truth and humanity — that made it impossible to look away. It didn’t feel reactive. It felt clear. And that clarity shook me.
Your acknowledgment of white privilege, especially in the context of fear, felt honest without being self-protective. And the line about not bringing guilt if the fear is new — that one stopped me. Because for some people, this fear isn’t new at all. And for others, it’s just now becoming real. You made space for both without collapsing into shame or defensiveness.
That balance is rare.
I walked away from this feeling more awake — not panicked, not self-righteous — just more awake.
Thank you for writing it the way you did.
This is a powerful piece. With your permission, I would be honored to republish this on FilmsForAction.org (an ad-free, activist learning library) and our Facebook page with attribution and a link back to the original plus an appeal for readers to subscribe to your Substack.
I’d be honored.
In solidarity,
Jacks
Thank you for this 💜
This is such good advice and information! I would love to put it in a handout format and include a link to https://activistchecklist.org/ for detailed safety tips. If I give you attribution (linking to this Substack) would you be ok with me sharing your content in this way?
By all means. You may also want to consider the follow-up essay for those who want to contribute yet can't be in the streets. https://jackiesummers1.substack.com/p/not-in-the-streets-still-in-the-fight?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
Thank you! I will definitely include it. Would you like to see what I come up with? I'm happy to share it. Also, I work in TroubleNation with Red Wine & Blue and would love to share your words of wisdom with our TroubleNation groups across the country. We have over 750 of them.
Please let me know how I can support 🙏🏾
At first glance… EXCELLENT!!!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍