Now, more than ever, women's stories are crucial. I'm so tired of learning everything through the lens of his-story. We need her-stories to inform future generations on how we fought against fascism. I'm happy you reposted this wonderful article Mesa! Let's keep hope alive. XO 🥰❤️
Yes to all this. I sink down many times a day, and then glimmers of light, of hope, like this piece, help me rise up again. It's so hard not to shut down, tho. Thank you. Togetherness.
This just sent me down an absolute rabbit hole for the sake of an analogy- because it feels like that old game, I now know is called Brick Out, and instead of getting bonuses each time we bounce the ball into the brick wall and knock out one, more bricks build, like tetris blocks moving closer and closer, threatening to suffocate us. The paddle gets smaller, the wall gets bigger. Do I have what it takes to start the game over again and again? Do I know anyone with cheat codes? What kind of 'Game Over' is around the corner when I choose to keep playing and creating against a completely rigged game? I'm not sure, but for now I cling to hope and will keep going <3
Mesa, sitting here in Canada, and I'm afraid for the world as we know/knew it. Keeping my paintbrush 🖌 and pen 🖊 close. I stand with you. They cannot take away our freedom to create! They can't take away our ability to share our stories. Let's keep standing in our power. I love our community 😘 💖 Strong together 💞
Thank you. I am on a self discovery journey in search of my wild fierce heart. I was searching for something else, but this seems much more exciting. And when I rediscover my wild fierce heart we are having a grand party!
Every day, i get up with this thought "how can i stay alive and continue living in this country where a bunch of shallow-minded religious fanatics dictate us what to do and what not to do?". Then after relaxing my mind a bit, start studying my German materials, and practice them as many hours as i can. Since the "Woman, Life, Freedom" campaign two years ago, i've become ashamed of telling anyone i live in such a closed and isolated country. Although there are times when i feel that shame is more powerful, most days i try not to let that shame brown my day (by "brown" i mean make my day as awful as possible).
The people in power are trying to have certain books banned, and some have succeeded. Others have not—yet.
Those people may try to restrict art, but that hasn’t happened yet. Those people might create laws, yet art is the free expression of will and personality.
The danger is real, and I stand with you in resisting it.
What I also see is how fear works—how it shapes action before anything even happens.
I know that feeling. I have just recovered from 46 years living under it.
The body doesn’t separate immediate threat from anticipated threat—it just reacts. And when I look at that reaction head-on, I find clarity. That’s what keeps me from getting locked in a loop of fear or helplessness.
I won’t let the people in power decide for me. My words exist. My art exists. And I will keep creating, not just in defiance, but because it is mine to do.
I feel sad and scared and like it's hopeless. We've fought for so long. Longer than my lifetime. And I know that it's not hopeless, it's never hopeless, but after all this time...things aren't good. There have always been strong women, and yet, here we are. Maybe a few men wake up and a dozen more slide back into the desire to control and oppress. I wish I could say I felt stronger than that, but that's where I am. I do appreciate you. And art and words.
I know. I so very much know. I feel like a candle burning at both ends but the end is no longer in sight. The idea of hope is all I can think of to hold onto, and each other.
Now, more than ever, women's stories are crucial. I'm so tired of learning everything through the lens of his-story. We need her-stories to inform future generations on how we fought against fascism. I'm happy you reposted this wonderful article Mesa! Let's keep hope alive. XO 🥰❤️
Love you friend!!
I agree wholeheartedly!!! Let’s write our way through!! Let’s shout our stories from every rooftop and mountain! ❤️🔥
Yes to all this. I sink down many times a day, and then glimmers of light, of hope, like this piece, help me rise up again. It's so hard not to shut down, tho. Thank you. Togetherness.
I’m with you. I do the same. We’ve all got each other 🩵🩵
This just sent me down an absolute rabbit hole for the sake of an analogy- because it feels like that old game, I now know is called Brick Out, and instead of getting bonuses each time we bounce the ball into the brick wall and knock out one, more bricks build, like tetris blocks moving closer and closer, threatening to suffocate us. The paddle gets smaller, the wall gets bigger. Do I have what it takes to start the game over again and again? Do I know anyone with cheat codes? What kind of 'Game Over' is around the corner when I choose to keep playing and creating against a completely rigged game? I'm not sure, but for now I cling to hope and will keep going <3
Mesa, sitting here in Canada, and I'm afraid for the world as we know/knew it. Keeping my paintbrush 🖌 and pen 🖊 close. I stand with you. They cannot take away our freedom to create! They can't take away our ability to share our stories. Let's keep standing in our power. I love our community 😘 💖 Strong together 💞
Thank you, Cindy ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Thank you. I am on a self discovery journey in search of my wild fierce heart. I was searching for something else, but this seems much more exciting. And when I rediscover my wild fierce heart we are having a grand party!
Every day, i get up with this thought "how can i stay alive and continue living in this country where a bunch of shallow-minded religious fanatics dictate us what to do and what not to do?". Then after relaxing my mind a bit, start studying my German materials, and practice them as many hours as i can. Since the "Woman, Life, Freedom" campaign two years ago, i've become ashamed of telling anyone i live in such a closed and isolated country. Although there are times when i feel that shame is more powerful, most days i try not to let that shame brown my day (by "brown" i mean make my day as awful as possible).
Mesa, I hear you.
The people in power are trying to have certain books banned, and some have succeeded. Others have not—yet.
Those people may try to restrict art, but that hasn’t happened yet. Those people might create laws, yet art is the free expression of will and personality.
The danger is real, and I stand with you in resisting it.
What I also see is how fear works—how it shapes action before anything even happens.
I know that feeling. I have just recovered from 46 years living under it.
The body doesn’t separate immediate threat from anticipated threat—it just reacts. And when I look at that reaction head-on, I find clarity. That’s what keeps me from getting locked in a loop of fear or helplessness.
I won’t let the people in power decide for me. My words exist. My art exists. And I will keep creating, not just in defiance, but because it is mine to do.
I feel sad and scared and like it's hopeless. We've fought for so long. Longer than my lifetime. And I know that it's not hopeless, it's never hopeless, but after all this time...things aren't good. There have always been strong women, and yet, here we are. Maybe a few men wake up and a dozen more slide back into the desire to control and oppress. I wish I could say I felt stronger than that, but that's where I am. I do appreciate you. And art and words.
I know. I so very much know. I feel like a candle burning at both ends but the end is no longer in sight. The idea of hope is all I can think of to hold onto, and each other.