Surviving the Next Four Years: A Message of Protection and Survival
I waited until after the inauguration to publish this article because I needed to read the first round of executive orders from the new administration.
As expected, they are invasive, undemocratic, and profoundly un-American. What stands out most, however, is how mean-spirited and deliberate they are in their aim to shape America into a white, heterosexual, cisgender, male-dominated, Christian nationalist country. These policies are not just declarations; they are weapons designed to subvert and manipulate laws meant to protect vulnerable populations, leaving them open to violation and harm.
We’ve seen this before, haven’t we? This slow erosion of rights is disguised as “freedom,” the targeting of marginalized communities framed as “security,” and the gaslighting of an entire nation while systemic inequities deepen. Like Kamala Harris said during the campaign, It’s the same tired playbook.” But while history may repeat itself, so too does the resilience of those who have always borne the brunt of these injustices. Our ancestors survived the Middle Passage, endured slavery, fought Jim Crow, and resisted every attempt to erase their humanity. Survival is in our DNA.
Still, surviving what’s coming will require more than hope. It will require strategy, preparation, and an unwavering commitment to protecting ourselves and our communities. I don’t know how bad it will get, but it will get bad. And as much as I believe in the power of hope, I also believe in the necessity of action.
Protecting Your Peace
First and foremost, protect your peace. The next four years will be filled with an onslaught of policies, rhetoric, and actions designed to exhaust us. The goal of this kind of oppression is not just to harm—it’s to wear us down, make us feel powerless, and rob us of our will to resist.
Turn off the news when you need to. Go off social media. He owns many of their owners now, anyway. Limit your exposure to the endless cycle of outrage and despair we suffered the last time. Protect your mental health as fiercely as you protect your physical safety. Remember, no revolution was ever won by people who were too drained to fight.
Protecting Yourself
Beyond protecting your peace, it’s time to take tangible steps to protect yourself. That means knowing your rights, building strong community networks, and preparing for potential threats. Whether it’s securing your digital privacy, developing safety plans for protests, or simply staying informed about the policies that affect your rights, preparation is key.
For Black people, queer people, immigrants, women, and every other community, this administration has set its sights on: we can not afford to be complacent. Not this time! Organize with your neighbors, support grassroots movements, and invest in mutual aid networks. The government may not protect us, but we can protect each other and protect our community. That also means a bit of gatekeeping will be necessary. We must remain vigilant in teaching our youth that not every aspect of our culture needs to go viral. Protecting our culture is essential to safeguarding our true history from being distorted and rewritten in this country (more on this in my next piece).
Why Survival Matters
This is about more than just getting through the next four years. It’s about ensuring that the next generation inherits a world worth fighting for. Our ancestors didn’t just survive for the sake of survival—they survived so that we could thrive. We owe it to them, and to ourselves, to carry that legacy forward.
We will survive this. We have to. And when it’s over, we’ll be ready to rebuild a nation that reflects the values of justice, equality, and true freedom. Until then, stay vigilant, stay hopeful, stay woke, and most importantly, stay protected.
