ISSUE NO. 666
"ACTION . . . 

is the only antidote to despair. Let action be the practice that organizes and transforms our grief and our rage and our terror.” - Morgan Bassichis 

We spent the better part of the last week and a half witnessing, listening, and learning - all possible for us at a moment when we do not fear for our physical and psychological safety, as others around the world may be doing right now.

To everyone that is grieving loss, feeling lost, and acutely suffering and scared - we see you. We hear your questions, and add our own. Small steps seem to be the only way forward for us.

Our interest in food is inextricably linked to our fundamental need for connection, which in turn requires justice and basic human rights for all. The compounding crises unfolding around the world require our collective care, attention and action. 

We recognize that the news cycle and social media feeds can be not only overwhelming, but directly harmful for some. Space to breathe, experience restorative silence, or abandon oneself to joy, may be the best practices for you right now. 

But if you are someone with the space to ask yourself what a next step could be, right now more than 2 million people are without food, water, electricity, and food in Gaza - over half of them displaced from their homes with lack of sanitation, lack of medicine, and damaged medical facilities.

Here are some tangible ways to help today:
  • If you live in the US, call your representatives to support an immediate ceasefire to create space for aid. No one person's action feels enough, but together it makes a difference.
     
  • Actively denounce all forms of of antisemitism: always and everywhere. Be open to understanding how latent antisemitism may inadvertently be present in your own language and actions. Check in on your Jewish friends, coworkers, and neighbors.
     
  • If you feel confused, paralyzed, or unsure, take the time to watch this brief conversation with Adrienne Maree Brown.
These actions are not a one-time box to check. Collective liberation is lasting work. 

Together,
Tay + Dor


photo by Christine Han for GFJ Stories

tidbits...

resources on anti-racism, environmentalism and food culture AKA stuff we're reading / listening to / watching / noticing / thinking about / captivated by this Tuesday . . .

Rachel Ricketts reminds us that if your doom scrolling leads to despair, there are more meaningful ways to channel your energy and enact positive change in the world. She's even offering a free code for you to take her Spiritual Activism 101 class to get the ball rolling. 

Ashtin Berry continues to weave the threads together. She reminds us that words matter and 'How we talk about the cultural food of marginalized people gives us great insight into the ways that they are treated in the world'.

Resist the binary. Liberation is not a zero sum game, as Desiree Adaway so profoundly reminds us as she puts the ideas into practice. 

Stay rooted in these practices from Esther Perel.  

Afghanistan has been hit by a fourth earthquake in one week. Turn your compassion into hope and donate to the relief efforts for these and other climate crises and aid opportunities here.  

"Plenty has been written about the economic impact of the pandemic on the food industry, but not enough about its lingering effects on the bodies of people whose mission is to nourish us." Read the latest GFJ Story on the creator behind Anjali's Cup, with words by Nicole J. Caruth and photos by Christine Han.

got a tidbit? drop it here for us and we'll share it in next week's newsletter.