This is for those fearing the violence that Republican leaders are threatening. None of this is new. I was born in 1971. I cannot remember a time when there was no white male violence or the threat of it. Those who are older than me would likely tell you the same.

2) In the 70’s, white men were mad at women because they demanded equal rights. My mother and those like her worked to pass the Equal Rights Amendment. White male leaders did everything they could to kill it. They were also mad about the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s.

3) They murdered our leaders, labeled us as terrorists, criminalized our actions. In the 80’s, I can remember them bombing our abortion clinics and shooting doctors. In the 90’s, they “went postal” when they lost their jobs and blamed it on immigrants and women.

4) So, you see little is new. They are still suppressing the vote, legislating women’s bodies, still fighting to separate the races, to deny POC and women education, health, civil rights. This is why we do not have equal access to education, to health. This is why we do not

5) have a healthcare system that can handle a pandemic, a vanity wall, militarized police and no universal mental healthcare access. What you are seeing is their panic, their frustration at losing all the advantages they’ve created for themselves. They will criminalize us.

6) They will continue to legislate our bodies, deny education and healthcare. They will shoot us and bomb our churches and schools. They will continue to be what they are...terrorists. None of this is new. It is scary, but we will get through this.

7) Recognize it for what it is. Make allies. Point it out. Say what it is out loud. They rely on creating fear, making you silent, pushing us back behind doors and into closets. You don’t have to put yourself or your family in danger. You do have to point it out.

8) You do have to call it what it is...white supremacy, racism, misogyny, extremism, terrorism. They are more afraid of your voice, if your demands. Remember that, and remember this is a completely American fight that those who came before you fought too. You are in good company.