I know there are a many causes that should take up my attention, but I feel personally connected to this as I have family across the border. For some context, I live in Chicago as a music director.
I was recently moved by a post from a Canadian begging Americans to do something, anything , to stop war between the US and Canada. Trump’s rhetoric and private comments have made it clear he actually wants to annex Canada, and they don’t want that and neither do I. The post mentioned that “we are your brothers, your sisters, your neighbors. He’s openly planning to attack us and you are doing nothing. What kind of family does that?”
Something about that hit me. I’m so used to taking our, hell my, relationship with Canada and Canadians for granted because it was absurd to think there would ever be a fight on the northern border. But this hit me like a bucket of ice water.
My Uncle lives in Montreal and has been a resident for 50 years. My great aunt and uncle lived in Toronto. I grew up in Seattle, and just 2 hours away I would celebrate Canada day in Vancouver (which also happens to be my birthday). Needless to say, Canada is my favorite country.
My undying love for Canada and Canadians has usually felt like a place of comfort when I would doom scroll, but now I’m heartbroken and terrified of what I’m seeing.
Anyway, now for action.
I wish I could just walk outside with a picket sign and suddenly a protest would erupt, but that’s not how any of this works. I also feel like protest is dangerous and might not even be effective right now. I was in 2 BLM protests and stood toe to toe with the CPD in Humboldt Park. Shit got real when my friends were corralled, but we forced the cops to retreat with our numbers. Back then I remember thinking “at least I’m not up against the CCP in Hong Kong or Russian Cops in Red Square”. But with this administration, it feels like our work has been erased and this time all bets are off when it comes to safety.
What I do have is a weekly music jam that has become a bit of an anarchist community. Oftentimes that’s where we make connections that end up helping us barter goods and services. I just traded trombone lessons for someone to help me make puppets (a sentence I’m so proud to write). We will have community meals and there are lots of leftovers. We organize little trips to Milwaukee or the Indiana dunes. We have about 600 people who attend a year with average events having 40 people.
My shit is microscopic beans, but I feel like it’s a tool I have at my disposal that could effect change.
Anyway how can I do something to help? I would love to hear from my Canadian lemmings especially. 🍁 ❤️
It’s not so much the violence, but the fact that it was for nothing. We’ve lost everything, and trying the same thing over and over just won’t cut it. I assume there will be protests, but I don’t think that’s going to be enough, and may not have the ROI we need.
If you think you won’t be able to solve these issues without violence then you’re helping your country knock at mines door. This is a very familiar sentiment we’ve had in Canada since I was young.
I’m not ruling out violence, I’m just ruling out ineffective violence. There are other avenues where violence may be more effective.
Some dude went to Nancy Pelosis house and hit her husband on the head with a hammer. You recently had a dude shoot an insurance CEO. Even the Vietnam protests used to be wild. Those are the things that actually matter, you can’t do a safe protest at this point. The more you do the more it’s going to make you the enemy to the rest of the world. And you’ll fucking deserve it at this point.
Right, I think I let this thread drifted into what someone should do generally. I’m trying to figure out what I can do. The thing is, I can’t own a gun because I’ve been in a mental ward. I’ve never fought anyone and at a deep level I don’t think I can actively kill anyone. Someone with the means and mentality should absolutely do that.
I’m looking more to see how I can use the tools I have to make a difference.
I’m gonna tell you what you can do. The US is the easiest country in the world to get a gun. They gave so many to Mexico that the cartel runs half that country strictly from unlicensed US sales. There’s literally one gun store in the states.
Second of all, you say you can’t fight? Take a class. I was a wienery ass wuss and took training when I was in my twenties. It’s fun, but it sucks. But if you want to influence power then that’s what you do.
If you can’t do any of that for some coward based reason, organize or sabotage in any way shape or form you can. I am not schooled in that level of defence, which is why I am focusing on teaching my friends and family. Not because I have to, but because I must now. Because of your country.
Okay well look at the right wing in your country. Threatening judges, doing insurrections and then the politicians pardon them, attacking people in protests on the street. It has come to that point for you guys. Do it. Actual leftists from around the globe have been begging you for decades. Actually do something.