Rising from the Ashes

Turning Grief into Activism.

Hey Remarkable People,

Grieving an election isn’t simply a matter of acceptance, it’s a deep dive into the landscape of emotions that accompany heartbreak. Navigating the election aftermath involves acknowledging the chasm between expectations and reality while wrestling with the spectrum of emotions from anger to helplessness.

It’s crucial to give yourself the grace to feel the depth of your despair as an integral part of the human experience, allowing it to shape the path forward.

This kind of grief acts as a unifying force, a cauldron where empathy for others facing similar disappointments is forged. Just like rituals have long been a pivotal part of human culture, marking life’s inevitable losses, they offer a semblance of stability during tumultuous times.

Grieving an election can shake your core, but it also fuels the fire of activism.

Activism is the lifeline of change, and there’s no irony in its ever-evolving pulse today. It’s not just about making noise, it’s about strategic persistence, like playing chess rather than checkers.

You need to coalesce your resources and harness the momentum for pressing issues. Look at people like Raquel Willis, who’s working to reimagine the future for trans rights with unwavering determination despite the odds stacked against her.

Gather allies—don’t journey alone. The essence of effective activism is like a jazz ensemble, where collaboration breeds harmony. Shannon Watts started Moms Demand Action by tapping into the collective power of motherhood, transforming her small call to action into a nationwide movement with ten million members. Talk about scaling up societal impact, one step at a time.

Create spaces where diverse voices can be respected and heard is paramount, especially when traditional systems are faltering. Jamia Wilson said it clearly—we’re standing at a precipice, and bold visionary actions are needed now more than ever. It’s not a point of rest, but a call to ensure movements towards inclusivity and equity accelerate, not stagnate.

Embrace storytelling to fuel change. It’s about crafting narratives that highlight personal and collective journeys. Leverage these stories to rally support and understanding, then organize community events or digital campaigns to amplify the call for equity and justice.

Remember, activism is a marathon, not a sprint. So, seek inspiration from leaders, keep your virtual mechanisms well-oiled for broader reach, and, most importantly, carry hope as the discipline that fuels this long journey.

But for now, let the grief wash over you like waves on a shore—each ebb and flow a reminder that this pain stems from caring deeply about our shared future.

Stay the course, stay determined, and stay Remarkable.