Mega-Bad News Day

Welcome to What’s Helping Today, a newsletter about the everyday work of staying alive on earth — written by author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen.

Hey everyone,

Super rough day, news-wise, as perhaps goes without saying …

I spent the morning drafting a whole rant for you all on annoying centrist whiteboy pundits who ally with fascist bullies — and then I set the draft aside for now. Then I did JournalSpeak (as I’m often doing), and then I meditated (as I do every day).

As of this afternoon: Little is known still about what’s actually occurred here. Some of the worst of what’s being spread, even by big outlets, appears to — if nothing else — inflame existent, intense anti-trans rage. Random friends are texting to ask how I am, which means it must all indeed seem very bad.

Like a lot of us, today when I woke up basically first thing I saw was this very terrible column …

Others have said things that have made me nod my tired head …

Analysis of the mainstream media’s failure here — via 404:

As ever, I pay attention to who merely spreads which rumors and from whom — especially when the scapegoat is therefore trans people (sigh) …

For more on the bullshit that is “gender ideology,” see this from Julia Serano:

Periodic reminder you can and should leave X … Periodic reminder you can divest from your other sometime problematic favs, social media-wise and media-wise …

Instead, consider supporting independent (queer/trans) journalists and outlets. I suggested some specifics in this previous post:

For those who haven’t heard it yet: I definitely recommend my Cancel Me, Daddy interview from earlier this summer on the NYT’s committed (anti-trans) biases — and why it’s a problem not just for trans people but for us all:

Re-sharing my post for trans folks who feel despair:

And my post for cis folks who feel despair:

Again, please check out the recent Proxy episode, especially cis folks who feel upset about everything happening but don’t know what they can do …

Please take care of yourselves today folks, whatever that looks like for you …

As I’m often repeating: I do suggest starting with your own insides — especially before just turning outwards. Especially-especially during such enflamed, highly activated times.

Maybe just take a few minutes to close your eyes and breathe. Maybe figuratively or literally touch grass. (I’ve said before, but, there is an app for that.)

I am gonna try to follow my own advice and log out, focus on my actual reality. Do activities that calm me down rather than further stress me out — given … everything.

Meaning, for me today: Getting outside, continuing fall clean-up and harvest, enjoying this fleeting still-pleasant weather. Also, I should start dealing with all these tomatoes …

ICYMI: In my last newsletter, I announced my forthcoming, very exciting new feature: Sandy’s Recipe Club!

Which, as I also announced: Will be free to all! This is despite my having basically developed it to try to paywall (LOL). After consideration, for a few reasons, I’ve decided against charging for some part of this newsletter — for now. One being: I want to keep as much of my work free for everyone as possible.

Therefore, as I said: I’m STRONGLY encouraging those who can to please consider supporting my work via my Buy Me a Coffee. Any amount is great; the suggested is $5 a month. (I’ll try to offer some perks for those who give that or more, like a Discord server and/or Zooms with me. You can feel free to tell me what you’d want, as you sign up to support.) You can also email me food or cooking related questions …

What’s Helping Today: Thanks to all who already gave this amount or more this week; you are What’s Helping Today! Every time I see this sort of message in my inbox, my sad/tired heart really does flutter with hope and gratitude:

Just to share a few of the kind words those giving have said …

Again: I really appreciate your support of my work and in keeping even these recipes-focused posts free for all! Alright! That’s it for now.

Sending love,
Sandy

p.s. Fellow nonfiction writers! Repeating myself but I hope you’ll consider enrolling for my workshop! It’s slated to start at the end of this month, online, Sunday afternoons. If you know anyone who’d maybe want to take a class with me, I hope you’ll share the listing with them. Thanks!!! (I’d love if some more folks registered for this so I can actually teach it, ha! 😅)

You’ve been reading What’s Helping Today — a newsletter by author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen. If you like WHT, consider sharing this post wherever you share things or forwarding to a few friends who may enjoy … If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here for free.

Once more: If you can, please consider supporting my work — via my Buy Me a Coffee. Thanks!