I mean…got to give it up to the Musk…oops…Trump administration for doing exactly what they said they were going to do as outlined in Project 2025. Their shock (less awe) campaign is off to a banging start. It is my great hope that you all have been shielding yourself from the media onslaught and focusing on your community.
If you are still asking yourself, “What do I do?” then I recommend reading my book! For real, I wrote you a whole manual. Want to be in community with other folks who give a shit and are taking action? Join the Joyful Menace Society. These are the ways I can contribute to your success as a sane and joyful activist. Take me up on them!
If you choose my book for your book club, message me. I will happily Zoom in for a Q+A.
Simple Sabotage
The CIA decommissioned a field manual from the 1940’s on Simple Sabotage Techniques. It’s focused on malicious compliance as a way to slow down, interrupt, and interfere with unethical requests in a bureaucratic setting. It is some of the most enjoyable reading I’ve done in awhile! It’s not long. I highly recommend reading it.
I am looking forward to whomever writes one for the digital age. Wink wink…where my coders at?
Chicago Crafternoons
Chai Wolfman and I are hosting monthly in-person crafternoons around Chicago. It’s one way we can help build community and support our city. The first one filled up before I could even promote it. I swear I don’t know how y’all move so fast! That said, we will be finding a much larger venue for the next one so that more folks can attend. Stay tuned. If you follow me on Eventbrite you will know the second they go live.
Call for Submissions
I am excited to be contributing to this upcoming book. You can too!
Book Club – February Pick
Our February read starts on the 19th. We will be reading, We Do This ‘Til We Free Us by Mariame Kaba. You can join the conversation and art making here.
Upcoming Events
February 18 // Book Discussion: On Tyranny (Zoom) // 5-6:30pm CT // Join Here
February 22 // Intro to Embroidery (Zoom) // 1-2:30pm CT // Pay-what-you-can // Register Here
February 23 // Joyful Menace Society Crafternoon (Zoom) // 2-4pm CT // Join Here
February 28 // Intro to Embroidery // Swedish American Museum Chicago // 6-7:30pm CT // Register Here
March 1 // New Exhibit Opens – in the cutest damn gallery I’ve ever seen // Gallery 1619 Chicago // Through April 21st // Learn more here.
March 3 // Chicago Crafternoon // Maydel // 2-4pm CT // Full
March 8 // Intro to Craftivism // Bartlett Public Library // 1-3pm CT // Register Here
March 16 // Book Discussion: We Do This ‘Til We Free Us (Zoom) // 2-3:30pm CT // Join Here.
March 16 // The Wild Night Storytelling Chicago – I’m taking the stage // 6:30pm CT // Info Here.
March 22 // Intro to Embroidery (Zoom) // 1-2:30pm CT // Register Here.
March 23 // Joyful Menace Society Crafternoon (Zoom) // 2-4pm CT // Join Here.
March 27 – April 3 // Many Events in Salt Lake City, Utah // Details coming
Actions
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Listen to this podcast episode on The Power of Defiance from Speaking of Psychology. Defiance is a positive practice not a personality disorder.
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Enjoy this podcast episode on How to Shift Your Emotions: Moving from Chaos to Clarity on The One Your Feed podcast.
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Register for what will no doubt be an amazing lecture by Lisa Woolfork on how Black women use sewing as a means of liberation, self-determination, and creative expression. The talk is happening on March 24th and you can register on Zoom here.
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Feel like no one is fighting back against Trump on a national level? Here’s a litigation tracker that should comfort you a bit.
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Do you know about the concept of sphere of concern vs sphere of influence? Here’s a delightful video on how understanding this concept and shifting your actions will help reduce your overwhelm and stress.
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Freeze your credit. Since we have no idea who has access to all our personal data, I suggest you head to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax and “freeze” your credit. It’s free. This will prevent anyone from running a credit check on you or taking out a line of credit without your permission. If you need to buy something or open a line of credit, you can just lift the freeze. Seems like an easy way to add a layer of protection to your financial life.
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Head to the Social Security website and print our your most recent social security statement. Make sure you have proof and a historical record of where your SS contributions stand.
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Instagram added a political content filter (defaulted to – don’t show me political content) with their last update. Anything I post that has a hint of politics is being hidden from most people. I’m sure that is happening to a lot of people. If you want to prevent that, go change your settings.
Instagram > Settings > Content Preferences > Political Content > See More
If you want to be sure you see my posts (or anyone in particular) you can go to that persons instagram profile page, click the bell symbol in the top right corner, select the types of posts you want to be sure you see – posts, stories, reels, live videos – and you won’t miss a thing anymore!
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I joined Bluesky and I am loving it! It’s serving real 2009 Twitter vibes. Connect with me here.
Stay strong. Take action. Fuck with ICE. Find joy. Spread love. Focus on your community.
In Solidarity,
Shannon
