by Marisol Enriquez, Chair, DPBC
Good morning, Bernalillo Democrats,
We stand today following the inauguration of Donald Trump as our 47th president, and understandably, it brings concern, worry, trauma, sadness, anxiety, and more to so many of us.
In previous issues of the Blue Review, we’ve presented some strategies for maintaining health, hope, and determination so we have the energy to resist the rise of authoritarianism in our country. Today’s issue brings one that I believe is the most important:
- Release that which you cannot control.
Nobody likes to hear this, because I think many of us suffer from FOMO, or “fear of missing out.” It’s like a train wreck — we know it might be horrific, but we still want to see it, just to say we did.
But, in prioritizing care for ourselves, we must ask ourselves which kind of news consumption adds value to our lives and which does not. Then, release the latter.
Turn your energy instead to local things that you can actually impact: the School Board, the City Council, the County Commission. The national scene, ever since 2015 when someone decided Donald Trump was the best Republican candidate for President of the United States, has only ever offered us chaos and fear.
But, chaos is the friend of the autocrat, so choose not to let it take your power.
Here are two things you can focus on, and on which you can have a beneficial impact:
We have party elections this Spring (see below).
We have elections this November for municipal offices like School Board, City Council, Mayor, and more.
Let’s do what many believe is lost in our party, and get back to the grassroots. Let’s commit to making space for new members of our communities to participate, and let’s do that by educating our neighbors, our friends, and our families on how they can become involved. Together, let’s ensure a great turnout and take local institutions back into Democratic hands.
Remember to be audacious when you imagine a brighter, better future for our state, and then organize to make it happen. That is what is in our control.
In community,
Marisol Enriquez
Chair, DPBC
