It's Me, Gailey (again)
tumblr terminated my old blog with no warning or explanation, so here's a new one! So far staff hasn't responded to any of my emails so I'm not counting on getting my old blog (@gaileyfrey) back; if I do, it'll turn into a backup account.
As I've mentioned elsewhere, I'm sure it was entirely by coincidence that my old blog, which was in perfect health, got obliterated within just a few days of my last post -- which collected and shared verified resources to help support those who are currently suffering in Palestine. But a lot of people seemed to find that list helpful, so here it is again, at an external link that can't get randomly deleted. That link goes to my independently-hosted newsletter/blog Stone Soup.
And here is the list in full, in case you don't feel like going to a different site:
Resources for others
- This informational Google doc is updated almost daily with information and direct actions Canadians can take to pressure the Canadian government into withdrawing its support for genocide by demanding a permanent ceasefire.
- Learn what it actually takes to escape Gaza, then donate money to help get families out of danger. If you are currently wondering why people don’t “just leave,” this reading may help you develop a new understanding of the situation.
- Donate to the Red Cross. As a dear friend told me when I expressed a feeling of helplessness, this is almost always a good move when you’re not sure how to help.
- Donate to Doctors Without Borders, who are working to facilitate the movement of medical supplies and staff.
- Get involved with PCRF, an organization that provides quality medical care to children throughout the Middle East regardless of nationality, religious or political affiliation.
- Connect with Jewish Voice for Peace, an organization committed to the liberation of all people. They continue creating opportunities for you to turn your rage and grief into meaningful, strategic action.
- Check out and share these resources, curated by Room Magazine, including ways to call on governments to demand a ceasefire, how you can donate and support the relief efforts, ways to fight disinformation, and a reading list to educate yourself. This list includes resources for Canadian citizens looking to take action.
- Check out and share additional resources, curated by Autostraddle, including international legal and humanitarian aid resources, and organizations that are currently on the ground in Gaza providing medical aid and support.
- Use Resistbot to message all of your representatives at one time, demanding a ceasefire, immediate humanitarian aid, and an end to occupation.
Resources for you
- Those who bear witness are not at the center of destruction, but that doesn't change the fact that bearing witness is painful and can be scarring. If you need help managing your reaction to exposure to this subject and subjects like it, especially on social media, here’s a helpful image-free resource based on Trust & Safety best practices. This resource is oriented toward people who must engage with violent and traumatizing content as part of their work. If you can’t cope with bearing witness, then you can’t help people who are truly hurting when they need you. Taking the time to attend to this isn’t self-centering or weak—it’s a matter of making yourself more useful, and it’s a skill that will serve you in the long term. Here’s that link again.
- Strengthen your media literacy. If you are consuming a huge amount of new, emotionally intense information, you need skills to parse that information into understanding. This isn’t a matter of simply being smart—it takes active critical engagement. Click here to download a pdf of some media literacy basics, dive into some deeper questions here, and continue learning fundamental skills of media literacy here.
- Attend to your nervous system. You’re not meant to be able to handle situations like this one well. That’s the whole point of war. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others. Here’s an old Stone Soup post that rounds up some tips for taking care of yourself when your nervous system is screaming at you. This is a starting point, not the finish line—self-care is the foundation you build on.
Here's hoping I get to stick around this time! I'll do my silly little intro post later. In the meantime, you know the drill: Care for yourself and the people around you. Believe that the world can be better than it is now. Never give up.
