WarTime
Austin, TX | 2021 © Alicia Kae Miller
Cracks of light shine through our cocoons as we emerge from the chrysalis.
Spring break has given me a chance to reconnect with nature and consider the possibilities of life beyond isolation that we have all come to know too well over the past 13 months.
As of this writing, we:
· have globally lost over three million lives to CV-19, 555k+ of those are fellow Americans
· continue to endure hate crimes against our fellow humans
· witnessed firsthand love in action during raging fires, hurricanes, and winter storms
Sigh.
Death. Hate. Kindness. All under the watchful eyes of humanity.
Bells Ring Out
Indeed, we can all agree that as in-person connections dwindled, virtual reality became a blessing. However, from my perch, this blessing also brought out our dark side.
As the virus of confusion festers, unproven facts take wing and grow into a fear of anything that exists outside of our comfort zones, in other words, anything that we cannot fit into a box and check "complete."
Hate is fear of that which we do not understand.
As we struggle to make sense, humanity creates stories and then makes assumptions. I, too, am guilty of getting caught up in the narrative of someone else's story.
Our common ground is found in agreement that there is nothing more important than an in-person exchange, the up-close and personal kind of encounters that bring a seismic shift to otherwise entrenched positions.
Pivot Point
I believe…at a distance, love is just a theory.
This reckoning inspired me to build EU from the ground up and create Empathy Activism, a social movement galvanizing humanity toward greater compassion and less hate.
Over the past five months, with support from leaders like you, our ability to shine a light on the dark parts of our lives and communities has inspired others to become empathy activists in their lives and work.
Since the ground continues to shift beneath our feet and in-person conversation is unrivaled, we have reached an optimal moment to increase awareness around EU engagement offerings of empathy-based seminars, speaking, and training.
As you know, the balancing act of attempting to be all things is challenging. Thus, my original intent to share weekly Wednesday Shine A Light is now shared on the first Wednesday of every month.
As the movement grows and we have more in-house boots on the ground, I intend to return to my preferred weekly Wednesday format.
Keep Going
If you want to say hello or meet for in-person/virtual coffee in the interim, you know where to find me.
I am always open to new ideas, so if you have concepts in mind for Perspectives, Solidarists, Art, or Action recommendations, please do not hesitate to send your inspiration my way.
A personal ask before I sign off, please follow us on social (IG + Twitter) and share Shine A Light with family and friends interested in becoming an individual Solidarist inspired by our empathy activism journey together.
The pandemic has taken a physical and emotional toll on all of us. Still, I believe that we will proudly look back on all of this and share survival stories with future generations and one another, one day in the not too distant future.
Until we meet again, honor and celebrate your individual "me" and the collective "we." ❤️
Yours in Solidarity, -akm
April 2021