It’s only been 1 week

I’ve been trying to get into the habit of writing. I challenged myself to work through 30 days of blogging prompts that felt meaningful at the time.

But right now, it’s hard to focus. My thoughts feel tangled, and my emotions are everywhere. Every time I open my phone, I’m hit with a new reminder of the current state of the United States, and it leaves my heart in pieces.

My heart breaks for the families being torn apart. For those whose lives are being upended. For those who fear going to work because of what might happen.

The news about ICE raids hitting close to home in Chicago feels like a punch to the gut. The fact that the best advice we can give is to “know your rights” frustrates me because these agents have no qualms in taking advantage of people that don’t know their rights.

And frankly, I’m scared. Scared because this country doesn’t care about its people enough to solve the issues that truly matter. There’s no universal healthcare. Housing is a crisis. Gun control feels like a pointless debate. We can’t protect kids with ‘thoughts and prayers.’

Now, we’re staring down rising costs in an already unaffordable world. I see videos of empty farms and construction sites and bitterly think to myself “that’s definitely not going to lower grocery prices.”

The felon in office emboldens racism and hostility, making it somehow okay to be openly hateful to anyone who doesn’t fit a narrow definition of “American.” It’s unbelievable how people are still defending and excusing these grifters, ignoring the bright red neon flags.

I get mad because those who didn’t fuck around are still going to be forced to find out.

And honestly? I don’t know what I have to offer in times like these. I don’t have a background in law to offer concrete advice. It feels like nothing I do will make a dent in the systemic issues we’re facing. It feels like screaming into the void, hoping it somehow makes a difference.

But maybe sharing how I feel—how we feel—does matter. Speaking up is still a form of resistance. Maybe being honest about my fears and frustrations will resonate with someone else who’s feeling the same. Maybe that’s how we start to remind each other that we’re not alone in this fight.

I also want to link the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. It can help locate resources specific to your area. It also has the instructions on what to do and say in case of an encounter with an ICE agent. It’s formatted so you can print them out in little cards and already translated to many different languages.