[act-ma] Cute Overload - let the healing begin

[Robbie Samuels]

Hi Boston family,

It's been an incredibly long week and it's only Wednesday. My thoughts and
prayers are with all those affected by Monday's chaos. I've posted a few
healing strategies below to help you get through the next few days/weeks.
When all else fails, click on "Cute Overload" (http://www.cuteoverload.org)
and check out their interspecies snorgling.

First, some resources

Say thank you...

Search for those who helped you, or those you helped during the aftermath
of the Boston explosions. http://www.bostonheroes.org. #heroesinBoston.
Follow @heroesboston. Created by @swarmnyc.

Update about blood donation...

Red Cross Supporting Families in Boston After Tragedy - Blood supplies are
currently sufficient to meet patient needs and people who want to give
blood are strongly encouraged to schedule a donation appointment in the
days and weeks ahead. Donations historically drop as the summer months
approach, so now would be a great time to schedule a donation to help
ensure there is enough blood available this summer.
http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Red-Cross-Supporting-Families-in-Boston-After-Tragedy

Healing Strategies from Hillary Rettig's email newsletter -
http://www.hillaryrettig.com

1) Boston's Museum of Fine Arts offered free admission on Tuesday. Don't
know if they're still doing it, but a little beauty and history can be
healing. [Robbie's note: MFA (http://www.mfa.org) is free Wednesdays after
4pm and ICA (http://www.icaboston.org) is free Thursdays after 5pm.]

2) Fred "Mr." Rogers' advice to, "Look for the helpers." is justly popular.
The quote continues: "You will always find people who are helping.' To this
day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words, and I
am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers -- so
many caring people in this world."

3) Blogger John Cole suggests you refrain from partaking of what he calls
"disaster porn" in the media. His whole post is typically brilliant as he
reminds us that both the depraved elements of our media and the
authoritarian / militaristic elements of our government thrive on scaring
us, and concludes, "The bomber(s) isn’t the only one who wants you to be
afraid. Remember that."
http://www.balloon-juice.com/2013/04/15/something-else-to-talk-about/

4) Here's Comedian Patton Oswalt's amazing Facebook update, which has now
gone viral: https://www.facebook.com/pattonoswalt/posts/10151440800582655

   Boston. Fucking horrible.

   I remember, when 9/11 went down, my reaction was, "Well, I've had it
with humanity."

   But I was wrong. I don't know what's going to be revealed to be behind
all of this mayhem. One human insect or a poisonous mass of broken
sociopaths.

   But here's what I DO know. If it's one person or a HUNDRED people, that
number is not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of
the population on this planet. You watch the videos of the carnage and
there are people running TOWARDS the destruction to help out. (Thanks FAKE
Gallery founder and owner Paul Kozlowski for pointing this out to me). This
is a giant planet and we're lucky to live on it but there are prices and
penalties incurred for the daily miracle of existence. One of them is,
every once in awhile, the wiring of a tiny sliver of the species gets
snarled and they're pointed towards darkness.

   But the vast majority stands against that darkness and, like white blood
cells attacking a virus, they dilute and weaken and eventually wash away
the evil doers and, more importantly, the damage they wreak. This is beyond
religion or creed or nation. We would not be here if humanity were
inherently evil. We'd have eaten ourselves alive long ago.

   So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just
garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and
think, "The good outnumber you, and we always will."

5) Finally, the best advice of all was said by labor organizer Joe Hill
nearly a hundred years ago. Framed for a murder he did not commit, and
about to be executed by firing squad, he told his confederates,"Don't waste
any time in mourning. Organize..." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Hill

It may seem like a lot, to ask grief sticken people to get out and do
something. But it's a form of taking back your power, and incredibly
healing both to us and others. If everyone reading this could take a small
step toward creating a more just and equitable society - even just writing
a letter to the editor, or making a small donation, or doing a bit of
activism or volunteer work, things will improve.

Seeking justice,

Robbie

Robbie Samuels

Co-Founder, Socializing for Justice
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