Friends and Partners in Hope and Courage,
With thanks to Kyle Lovett, Emily Pearl and Shawn Walker-Smith, I share this very important insight from teachers wiser than I: First, hear some wise and important words from sociologist Jennifer Walter about what is happening in this country right now and what to do about it. "As a sociologist," she writes, "I need to tell you: Your overwhelm is their goal." Take note of that. Just that. "Your overwhelm, our overwhelm is their goal."
That may be so, siblings, but this is God's promise to you: "I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you" (Isaiah 43). Maybe Trump, Vance and their cohort imagine they can budgeon us with fury and frenzy; but the folly is theirs. "When you pass through the rivers," says the Great-I-Am, "they will not overwhelm you." So we persist. Friends of God. It's what we do. We persist.
Jennifer Walter outlines the rightwing project this way:
1. The "flood" (see Isaiah 43, above) of 200+ executive orders in Trump's first days (targeting communities we love, triggering justifiable anxieties across the board) exemplifies Naomi Klein's "shock doctrine" -- using chaos and crisis to push through radical/fascist changes (see Project 2025) while people are too disoriented (and disconnected) to effectively resist. This isn't just politics as usual - it's a strategic exploitation of our cognitive limits. We need not give in to this.
2. Media theorist Marshall McLuhan predicted this: When humans face 'information overload,' we become passive and disengaged. This administration's rapid-fire executive orders create a cognitive bottleneck, making it nearly impossible for citizens and media to thoroughly analyze any single policy. Or even imagine a response. Again, we have other resources. Relationships. Spiritual practices. We need not give in to this.
3. Agenda-setting theory explains the strategy: When multiple major policies compete for attention simultaneously, it fragments public discourse (or renders it invisible to many). Traditional media can't keep up with the pace, leading to superficial coverage. The result? Weakened democratic oversight and reduced public engagement. And there's no time or bandwidth for integrated visions of democratic resistence (let alone renewal and justice). Which leaves us bereft on so many levels. "Where there is no vision, the people perish."
So what now? (This is where the rubber hits the road. Find a buddy. Keep one another engaged and hold one another accountable.)
1. Set boundaries: Pick 2-3 key issues you deeply care about and focus your attention there. You can't track everything - that's by design. Impact comes from sustained focus, not scattered awareness.
2. Use aggregators & experts: Find trusted analysts who do the heavy lifting of synthesis. Look for those explaining patterns, not just events.
3. Remember: Feeling overwhelmed is the point. When you recognize this, you regain some power. Take breaks. Process. This is a marathon. (And remember, church friends, the whole point of 'church' is to process together, and then strategize, act and learn together.)
4. Practice going slow: Wait 48 hours before reacting to new policies. The 'urgent' clouds the important. Initial reporting often misses context. Count on your buddy. Talk things over. Do a little research (or a lot). Bring it to a group you trust.
5. Build community: Share the cognitive load. Different people track different issues. Network intelligence beats individual overload. Remember: They want you scattered. Your focus is resistance.
1. The "flood" (see Isaiah 43, above) of 200+ executive orders in Trump's first days (targeting communities we love, triggering justifiable anxieties across the board) exemplifies Naomi Klein's "shock doctrine" -- using chaos and crisis to push through radical/fascist changes (see Project 2025) while people are too disoriented (and disconnected) to effectively resist. This isn't just politics as usual - it's a strategic exploitation of our cognitive limits. We need not give in to this.
2. Media theorist Marshall McLuhan predicted this: When humans face 'information overload,' we become passive and disengaged. This administration's rapid-fire executive orders create a cognitive bottleneck, making it nearly impossible for citizens and media to thoroughly analyze any single policy. Or even imagine a response. Again, we have other resources. Relationships. Spiritual practices. We need not give in to this.
3. Agenda-setting theory explains the strategy: When multiple major policies compete for attention simultaneously, it fragments public discourse (or renders it invisible to many). Traditional media can't keep up with the pace, leading to superficial coverage. The result? Weakened democratic oversight and reduced public engagement. And there's no time or bandwidth for integrated visions of democratic resistence (let alone renewal and justice). Which leaves us bereft on so many levels. "Where there is no vision, the people perish."
1. Set boundaries: Pick 2-3 key issues you deeply care about and focus your attention there. You can't track everything - that's by design. Impact comes from sustained focus, not scattered awareness.
2. Use aggregators & experts: Find trusted analysts who do the heavy lifting of synthesis. Look for those explaining patterns, not just events.
3. Remember: Feeling overwhelmed is the point. When you recognize this, you regain some power. Take breaks. Process. This is a marathon. (And remember, church friends, the whole point of 'church' is to process together, and then strategize, act and learn together.)
4. Practice going slow: Wait 48 hours before reacting to new policies. The 'urgent' clouds the important. Initial reporting often misses context. Count on your buddy. Talk things over. Do a little research (or a lot). Bring it to a group you trust.
5. Build community: Share the cognitive load. Different people track different issues. Network intelligence beats individual overload. Remember: They want you scattered. Your focus is resistance.
Make sense? In our community, for example, we have an Open & Affirming Team (a wise and engaged group) addressing all kinds of concerns around LGBTiQ needs and safety. Find them. Learn from them. Talk things through with them. We also have an Immigrant Housing & Accompaniment Team; they're a thoughtful, brave group as well. Find them. They're looking into all the immigration news, and training one another for care and courage within and beyond the church.
In my ministry to the wider church, I serve as co-chair this year on the United Church of Christ's Palestine Israel Network. We gather regularly, online, to sift through news from Gaza and the West Bank, strategize around our commitment to a just peace and human rights, and find courage in community. For me, that group too is a powerful place for reflection, action and impact.
Reach out to me, and I'll put you in touch with any one of these remarkable groups. They bring hope, resilience and faith to me every day!
Remember: "Your focus/our focus is resistance." And you are not, not ever, alone!
DGJ
1/28/25
