CYB #67: Holding Joy, Making Resistance
(Even though every day is #WTFDay)
Trump took office less than a month ago, and it already feels endless. The chaos whirlwind of disregard for the law, opportunistic grift, and endless blame-shifting has no bottom. So we will need our own insulation - built from community, small joys, and steady resistance—to get through.
Last CYB, I wrote about finding strength and joy through weightlifting. That practice continues to ground me, but I'm building out my resilience toolkit with some key additions:
Join Local Movements: Engaging with an immigrant rights action group, connecting with a local political campaign, and exploring a Bay Area chapter of a national organization.
Show Up for Others: Making time for friends who've lost jobs or finished school and need to talk through the next steps. Deepening my mentoring with women's leadership groups.
Create Regular Connection: Our impromptu dinner with friends this week brought such laughter and light. We are planning regular gatherings—food, drinks, games, crafts—whatever brings us together.
Practice Small Kindnesses: Surprising the neighbors with Valentine cupcakes from our local bakery, making Meyer Lemon Syrup from foraged fruits and sharing it with friends, and calling relatives to check in all make me feel happier and more resilient.
Welcome the Quiet: Sometimes, there is just nothing to say.
BOOKS
The Death of the Author, by Nnedi Okorafor: Okorafor’s new novel, like Richard Power’s Playground, integrates ideas about AI into the plot. It’s a less self-consciously “literary” and more vibrant book than Playground–and one I could not stop reading. Okorafor is a writer with great skill, depth, and humanity; this is one of their most eloquent creations. If you are looking for a book to read right now to give you a new world, this could be the one–it is magnificent.
Health and Safety: A Breakdown, by Emily Witt: Emily Witt's keen, observations and dry narratives flow into something unexpectedly profound. Two weeks after finishing Health and Safety, I keep bringing it up with friends who would appreciate her entrancing account of the global rave scene, her clear-eyed view of dating and relationships as a single woman approaching forty, and her fascinating explorations of carefully calibrated drug use. I read her earlier book, Future Sex, as well. It was good, but Health and Safety is great. This could be your book if you want astute observations that aren't directly about politics but illuminate our burning world.
Mischa Berlinsky, Mona Acts Out. This witty urban comedy offers the kind of escape we need right now - intelligent, warm, and unexpectedly deep. Reminiscent of Fleischman is in Trouble in its all-encompassing family drama. Mona Acts Out brings a fresh perspective and genuine warmth to complicated relationships. It's a perfect read when you need a higher-level romp that doesn't ignore life's complexity but helps you find its humor.
OSCAR MOVIES
Sing Sing The Oscars are on March 2nd, so there isn’t much time left to see everything before the show, but we’re trying. Last night, we watched a fantastic movie, Sing Sing, with Colman Domingo. It is about the impact of a real-life arts project, Rehabilitation Through The Arts, on inmates in Sing Sing prison. Based on a true story, it stars many formerly incarcerated actors who were part of the project. Highly recommend.
Nickel Boys: Based on Colson Whitehead’s novel, this film by RaMell Ross is genius on many levels. Weeks later, it is still with me.
Flow: I love this remarkable animated film's wonder and grace amid destruction. It's a must-watch.
The Brutalist has incredible cinematography, acting, and music but is not a personal favorite.
A Complete Unknown is an excellent movie, even as it shows what a selfish crab Dylan was.
Conclave: Fabulous! Watch.
Emilia Perez: A great film.
A Real Pain: Not a must-watch, but well done.
Because you got this far
New Yorker columnist and Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture author Kyle Chayka is a great thinker; now, we can experience him as a foodie in this article.
Marcin Wichary’s Ode to Gorton type is fun.
Abracadabra, Lady Gaga: Pay the toll to the angels,--and enjoy Parris Goebel’s brilliant choreography in this latest banger.
Right now, strength comes from holding joy and resistance. How are you showing up for yourself?
Warmly,
Susan