where wellbeing meets politics

Boo.

Over the weekend, I had to evacuate my home in the middle of the night because of a fast-moving wild fire in Los Angeles. And while it was scary and very real, it also felt symbolic.

The world is on fire. The climate crisis is in full blaze and if we have a chance of extinguishing this fire, it's going a require a transformation of consciousness and full structural overhaul of our social and political systems. 

And while it may feel like we are being burned up in the process, we are actually being prepared. As Mama Indigo says, we are not "thrown into the fire, we are the fire." 

This moment has to do with one thing and one thing only - who we choose to be for the sake of our planet and one another. And not just during natural disasters or catastrophic events - every day. Every day we must practice a radical love that reminds us of why we are here and what we are capable of. We must make choices and take actions that reflect that commitment. And we must hold one another in accountability and collective care. 

While this Mercury retrograde season may feel challenging, it is also revealing of the potential that lies just beneath the fear. It is the possibility that exists beyond the obvious. It is the reminder that we are all ready and we are already. 

Kerri (she/her) 
BOOOOOOO
Trump's appearance at the World Series was met with a chorus of "boos" and "lock him up." But it was the reaction to this event that was most significant. Civility won't fix America. Civility centers the comfort of those causing harm rather than the humanity and dignity of the people being harmed. Our own history teaches us what happens when "good" Americans do nothing. And let's not lose the plot here for politeness - this president is a crook, liar, and abuser and deserves much worse than incivility. He deserves impeachment and to be locked up. Meanwhile, the House is preparing to take its first vote in the impeachment inquiry and just unveiled a plan for the public trial (hint: Pelosi wants all to see). Art by @equalityequation
TECHNOCRATS
Last week, Mark Zuckerberg testified in front of Congress defending the company's position on political ads. In an awkward spar (worth seeing) with AOC, he confirmed that "politicians can lie" (specifically, Facebook would allow politicians to post false information and will not fact-check political ads). But free speech and paid speech are not the same thing. Here's what Facebook's employee's had to say about that. In response, Twitter just banned political ads...ish. They said they would determine what constitutes a "political ad," which should be interesting. For all things tech-ethics, follow Mike Monteiro. And be sure to buy his zine, "Ruined By Design". 
GOTV
49,000 races in 34 states will be decided Tuesday, November 5. Our community manager Lauren Roberts just recorded an Instagram live about how to get ready and how to get others ready, too. After 24 hours, you can find the video recording over at patreon.com/ctznwell. Be sure to check out the #VOTEPROCHOICE Voter Guide, Vote Save America, Vote.org, and the Outvote app for everything from prochoice city councilors to polling hours. 
CULTURE IS NOT A COSTUME
We get that it's Halloween. But culture is not a costume. Wearing someone else's culture or identity reinforces separation and supremacy by reinforcing one of the earliest, most enduring racist ideals: the belief that people who belong to marginalized cultures are somehow less than human. It's not just cultural appropriation. It's cultural violence. Check out this important tutorial. But schools are fighting back. Here's a newsletter put out by the students at University of Utah on how to not be racist on Halloween. And if you missed the most recent Honor Don't Appropriate Yoga Series from Susanna Barkataki, you can order a course workbook HERE! Art by @indigenousgoddessgang
WILD 
What if the public took over the energy grid? The Getty Fire that sent thousands of Westside residents fleeing was started by a tree branch that fell on power lines, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Tuesday evening. This is one of many instances where PG&E's infrastructure has sparked fires in areas whose ecosystem is already considered "explosive." But the electric company chose to pay out dividends instead of cutting down trees, a decision that has been detrimental to the people's lives and homes. PG&E should belong to Californians, not its Wall Street shareholders. 
WELLread is produced by CTZNWELL, a collective that's mobilizing the wellness community to take action for the health and justice of all people. Was this email forwarded to you? Find out more about our organization and subscribe.






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