Am I Doing Enough?
When everything feels overwhelming, every act of courage, connection, and participation still matters.
I woke up on Tuesday morning and kept thinking that: Am I doing enough?
How was I able to just continue with my work and meet with friends when so much that was horrible was happening around me? I was spiraling and felt anxious and sad and hopeless.
I have heard from some of you that at least once a week, you feel the same way. So deep into feelings of despair that you cry or want to just give up.
My friends reminded me that we are all trying to do as much as we can, and that looks different for each one of us.
For some people, it is taking down their Trump sign and quietly deciding that, at the voting booth, they will just not vote or will vote for a Democrat for the first time in their life.
For some of us, it is simply knowing that you will vote for anyone but Trump.
Some of you are brave because you come to the protests. That takes a lot of courage. I have heard from people who support us but are too afraid to be seen by the community or their co-workers because they are worried about getting pushback in some way.
Others are putting signs in their yards in conservative neighborhoods or, even better, doing door knocking with our candidates. Some are making calls, writing letters and postcards, and some of you are doing it all.
So, are you doing enough?
Yes. Every step counts. Every action counts.
Can you do more? Maybe. But we all also have to keep our sanity so we can fight another day.
Maybe in the next few weeks, add one more thing to what you are already doing. Talk to one more person. Join one more group. But if you can’t, the biggest thing you can do is vote.
The Chaska Data Center Is NOT a Done Deal
I also need to point out that I have heard from some people who have been told that the data center planned for Chaska is already a done deal.
IT IS NOT.
We need to fight this data center for all of us.
Do you want to do something about this? Please come to the SW Protectors meeting. Start calling the City of Chaska and Carver County and make some noise!
SW Protectors Is Back September 1
We do not have SW Protectors on August 18, but then we are back to meetings with speakers starting September 1 and continuing every first and third Tuesday of the month.
On September 1, we will have Joe Brothers coming to talk to us.
On October 20, Ellie Krug will tell us about the school board elections and how absolutely crucial those are.
I have contacted Adam Moore and others to come join us as well.
We are in the last weeks of summer vacation, and I hope you soak it all in. Then we get back to it.
September 1, come to the SW Protectors meeting. If you have never been, please come give it a try!
In the next few weeks, I will also be sharing our plans to hold another food drive and other ways you can continue to help our community.
Let’s protect our community, our state, and our country!
Judith
Chaska Protests
Every Friday from 3:00–4:00 p.m. at the corner of Chaska Blvd. and Chestnut Street (Highway 41) [Map]
Every Saturday from 1-2 pm at the corner of Hazeltine Boulevard and Highway 41 (Chestnut) [Map]
Chanhassen Protests
Every Saturday from 10-11 am at Kerber & West 78th. [Map] Public parking is available behind City Hall. Sign library is available.
Norwood Young America
Every Sunday, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (Line up at the bike path south of Highway 212 and Faxon.)
Victoria
Every Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 pm on the corner of Highway 5 and Victoria Drive/County Rd 11.
Waconia
Every Saturday from 11:30-12:30 pm at Highway 5 and County Road 10 in front of the Starbucks and Jersey Mike’s. [Map]
SW Protectors
Every first and third Tuesday from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. It’s no cost and come and go as you like.
Please do buy something to eat or drink, though, to support our venue, which is The Bellows restaurant and it’s located at 232 Pioneer Trail in Chaska.