We know tensions are high. Many of us are feeling upset and disappointed. Some are feeling helpless, overwhelmed, anxious, a deep sense of dread, and other very strong feelings. You have every right to experience those feelings and those feelings are extremely valid.
However, those feelings can often blind you - they can tint your world in a color which shapes how you are interpreting the words of others. They might stop you from picking up on key words someone else is using which signal their agreement with you or they might make you interpret neutral words as a signal of disagreement. These emotions can also push you to say things which might be more confrontational than usual or they might make you more emotionally vulnerable or volatile. These are all natural and normal parts of being a human and being emotional.
But we are operating in a space with others and we need to remember to center the humanity of everyone present. If you’re finding yourself unable to give people the benefit of the doubt or to treat them with good faith and to provide space and questions placed in good faith to understand what they are saying without letting your biases creep in, it might be time for you to take some space away from a charged environment like politics. I’ve seen some nasty behavior in the last 24 hours. As a team, we’ve tried our best to clean up some of the worst of it, but I also know I’ve given a bit more leeway to some infighting than I normally would because I know emotions are high. But I’m reminding you all that you are better than this. I’m asking you all to help keep this a nice space and we can only do if we do it together.
First and foremost, thank you all for being a part of this wonderful place. You’re all part of my extended chosen family - family that doesn’t always see eye to eye on everything but knows that we’ll have each other’s backs instead of putting them to the wall.
Secondly, step away from the chats and the doom to do something positive for yourself in your space, or do something to re-orient yourself. Despair and gloom blunt your efficacy communicating and organizing, and mutual care and aid like we have here on Beehaw are going to be more important than ever.