Definitely not OK

There are so many ugly things this administration is doing, it is hard to keep track of them all. From decimating healthcare to attacking human dignity through disgusting language, from deployment of the National Guard to ICE attacks in our communities, from tariffs to pardons, from indictments to the "Department of War." This administration continues to use a playbook of authoritarianism, and even as I shake my fist, whenever I can and wherever I can, it doesn’t feel like enough.

There is tremendous energy and comfort in being in community, where others are also shaking their fists, using their power of the purse, raising their voices, voting, calling in and calling out. Community is the antidote. When we are together, we may still feel fear, but we are not alone.   

So it seems silly, with all of these major people-facing issues to be picking on the Department of Education‘s social media account, but I just can’t help myself. It is representative of hate and harm they toss around so easily, only this time, tied with a holiday bow. I don’t follow Truth Social, but I do see reposts in my own social media, and I know these kinds of posts are representative, in every way. 

But, in case you've missed it: this week, the administration has chosen the cutesy frame of "The 12 Days of Christmas" to let us know all of the good (read: horrible) things the administration is doing.

- Day one, decimating the federal department and its (broken) promises of protections for children and framing their actions as returning decision-making to the states. 

- Day two, ignoring science and research on gender and instead, celebrating their limited view of how human beings can expansively identify in the world.

- Day three, their clear acknowledgment that diversity, equity, and inclusion do not matter to them.

I can hardly believe that this isn’t a Saturday Night Live skit: the content is so ridiculous, wrapped in the comedy of tacky Canva graphics.

I often giggle at those "clapping back" at the administration by pretending our nation's leader is a small child (see especially here), and these recent posts fit that framing perfectly. It’s as if the Secretary of Education and the President are two bullies in the classroom, pretending like they are singing a holiday song and instead being mean, being cruel even, to their classmates. As I look for seasonal light and love as we mourn the shooting at Brown and the anti-semitic hate crime on Bondi Beach and the terrible murder and family trauma of the Reiner family, I can’t believe that no one in Washington DC is pulling the plug, finding their voice to say, "You know what: this is NOT OK."

So: what can I do besides complain here?

I am responding in the way I know best: with books to help us know better and do better.

I have ordered copies of Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny, and I would like to send 25 of you a copy. It's filled with practical every day advice to help you know what's happening as we face authoritarianism, and take action, as well. It's a short book, only 126 pages.

Timothy Snyder has made the 20 lessons in the book available for printing here.

If you're an auditory learner, you can listen to the actor John Lithgow read the 20 lessons here. And I know you know other texts that can inspire us to lean in and engage, too - what's on your list?

I'm also going to contribute 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 + 11 + 12 dollars (that's $78) to nonprofit organizations that fight against this kind of hate every day (that's action #15). I bet you know a place where your $78 donation could make a difference, too.

And I'm going to keep finding JOY:

- coaching calls today with inspiring educators working to support all their learners

- saying hello to strangers and having them greet me warmly back

- dropping off some books at the Little Free Library and food at the Little Free Pantry in my community 

Where did you find joy today? Where can you spread joy tomorrow?

It's not OK to be mean, to post hate, to create harm in the world - and especially not OK for our education leaders to be the ring leaders of that meanness, hate, and harm. So I hope you'll join me in fighting back - with learning and taking action; by using our dollars for good; and in finding and spreading joy, and light, and love.

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Email me at lvahey@gmail.com if you'd like a copy of On Tyranny. Be sure to include your full name & address in your note.