Thread by @yokatykatikate

THREAD. Anyone else looking at their kids with a mixture of gratitude/joy and heartache/shame? Anyone else having a hard time sleeping at night? OK. Let's get your head on right. This is a #FamiliesBelongTogether #Resistance #RealTalkPepTalk. 1/

First, if you feel profoundly disturbed by what our government is doing, that's because you have empathy, a moral center, and the animal instinct to protect your young. You're not a snowflake. You're not a crybaby. Your pain is how you know you're still in the game. 2/

Second, you're in pain because this is painful. Respect your pain for being honest with you. You're struggling because your shit is calibrated. Good for you. I know it hurts. There is no cure. We have to fight through. 3/

Third, you cannot let your pain consume you. You know how much knowledge will motivate you to stay angry, and how much knowledge will horrify you into withdrawal. Get the right amount of knowledge. Then turn off the news. You can't pour from a shattered cup. 4/

Fourth, you cannot let your pain turn you inward. Clicks are not enough. Your heartache, devastation & outrage are always meaningful to YOU. But they're only IMPACTFUL if you use them to speak OUT LOUD & engage others. 5/

Fifth, you will feel better when you've done EVERYTHING you can, as often as you can. Scared to call a Senator? More scared than a 3yo in a cage? Sorry, I know that was low. But I didn't think so. & you know I'm right. That's why your pain is also shame. #RealTalkPepTalk 6/

Sixth, "everything you can" includes asking EVERYONE YOU KNOW to do everything THEY can. And asking again. We are responsible for our response to this atrocity. Real talk, have you done EVERYTHING you can? Have you called? Call now. Leave a message. Have you prayed? 7/

Have you prayed for angels to stand watch over these kids? Have you prayed for the hearts of the people who can end this? I'm praying for you, @SecNielsen + @realDonaldTrump. Pray to whomever you believe in, I don't care who. 8/

Remember, the best time to plant a tree was 100 yrs ago. But the second-best time is rightthefucknow. It is not too late. We need you. My hand is reaching out for you. I promised to do everything I can. And that means asking you to do everything you can. Let's go. 9/

"Everything You Can:"
1. Donate what u can. $1. $5.
2. Call every day. CapHill Switchboard: [phone]
3. Ask friends. Ask your pastor to speak. Ask work to fundraise. TALK.
4. Sign petitions.
5. Pray.
6. Show up every day until it's over. gothamist.com/2018/06/19/hel…
End Thread

PS I asked my v consevative dad to call Cory Gardner because he lives in CO. We haven't agreed on anything political for years. YEARS. It is ALWAYS a fight. I called him and said, "Dad, I know we don't agree on immigration in general, but please call today." #EverythingICan