Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice, Vol 4, Res 21: Podcast in the Works, 5 Calls App, and Micro Activism
This is a public issue of Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice. Feel free to share it!
Hi friends! First of all, reminder to my U.S. folks that Daylight Savings Ends this weekend. Arizona, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are the states and territories that do not observe daylight saving time.
No photo of our Halloween costumes yet because all the pieces have not yet arrived and I need to finish putting together the LEGO portion. I will absolutely share a photo once we have it all together because in this household, it’s Halloween all year. We do allow Xmas music, but only during December. I’ve really been trying to give gifts that are consumables (food, stickers, books maybe?) or serve a purpose (something to wear, or a handy gadget) so in case you do the same, I recently updated my massive Kitchen Gadget Recommendation List if you are looking for ideas for folks.
I don’t know about you, but it all feels a bit futile to be Doing Things™ while all the horrors are ongoing and escalating. I am trying very hard to not fall into despair and so, I keep moving. We made a little semi-announcement about a new project in the works:
In the meantime, I’m trying not to freak out that it’s my first holiday season without my mom. She loved Xmas decorations and while they aren’t really my thing (see previous discussion of Halloween), I’m honoring her by putting up a tree this year. I got one of these because of course I did.
It’s a resource week so let’s get to it!
Resource #1: 5 Calls App
The 5 Calls App has been around since early 2017 and has been gaining a lot of traction lately. I learned about it via this TikTok (super informative, short, and viewable without an account). The 5 Calls App makes calling your government officials and making your voice heard about progressive issues incredibly easy. When you load the app on your phone, it will ask for your zip code and it will find your specific government representatives. Then you choose what issue you want to speak out about and you click through. It will give you your government official’s phone number and a handy script to follow. Definitely check out this TikTok for a clear overview with visuals and you can also look at the 5 Calls App Get Started page.
Resource #2: Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World without a Bullhorn by Omkari Williams with a forward by Layla F. Saad (Bookshop | Amazon)
I have read an increasing amount of books about various forms of activism and systems of oppression the last few years and I know I’m not alone in this. It’s pretty overwhelming. I’m overwhelmed by the amount of oppression, the varieties of oppression, and the sheer number of things that need to be done or ways that people can show up to fight. I become immobilized from trying to make a decision because I am one person and there is just so much.
This new release has helped me take steps toward action. The first main idea of this book is narrowing your focus, because you can’t do everything. Once you decide where you’re going to focus your activism energy, the book encourages you to take consistent and sustainable actions. It is very easy to get burnout and this book aims to avoid that.
The author has created four activist archetypes to help readers figure out what kinds of activism they would thrive participating in. Are you someone who likes to work in the background or run the show? Or maybe you’re the headliner who makes the speeches? Williams makes it clear that not everyone can be the Beyoncé of the rally and we need all types of folks to go up against oppression. As the author says, a lot of activism isn’t glamorous and it shouldn’t be.
There is a lot of pressure for each of us to create our own unique thing and be the loudest out there while what needs to be done is the opposite. Activism needs to be done in community because that is how it moves the needle and this book not only has a chapter on finding community but also weaves the thread of community throughout. This book also includes short interviews with activists around the world interspersed throughout the chapters. They talk about what their specific activist focus is, what keeps them going, and how they practice self-care. In addition, each chapter also has reflection questions and key takeaways. Finally, the fantastic illustrations help tie the messages together while also adding to the impact of the writing.
Recent & Current Reads
Inclusion of a book in this section is not a recommendation and these books won’t necessarily be added to my Bookshop. It’s been four weeks since I have shared a reading update, so there are quite a few here.
Recently Read:
Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World without a Bullhorn by Omkari Williams with a forward by Layla F. Saad (Bookshop | Amazon)
Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam M. Grant (Bookshop | Amazon | Libro) (Note from The Infophile: reading this one with a heavy dose of skepticism)
Octavia E. Butler: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations with an introduction by Samuel R. Delaney (Bookshop | Amazon)
Stop Waiting for Perfect by L'Oreal Thompson Payton (Bookshop | Amazon | Libro)
It's Not You, It's Capitalism: Why It's Time to Break Up and How to Move On by Malaika Jabali with illustration and design by Kayla E. (Bookshop | Amazon | Libro)
Over My Dead Body: A Witchy Graphic Novel by Sweeney Boo (Bookshop | Amazon)
A Recipe for More: Ingredients for a Life of Abundance and Ease by Sara Elise (Bookshop | Amazon | Libro)
She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat, Vol. 1 by Sakaomi Yuzaki, Caleb Cook (Translator) (Bookshop | Amazon)
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears (Bookshop | Amazon | Libro)
Currently Reading:
Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror edited by Jordan Peele & John Joseph Adams (Bookshop | Amazon | Libro)
He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters by Schuyler Bailar (Bookshop | Amazon | Libro)
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark (Bookshop | Amazon | Libro)
That’s it for this week! You can shop many books I’ve mentioned in this newsletter at my affiliate shop, The Infophile’s Bookshop, and support independent bookstores. In fact, any Bookshop, Amazon, or Etsy links in this newsletter are affiliate links so if you shop through those, it helps support my work. Or you can leave me a tip on Ko-fi, Paypal, or Venmo.
If you want to send me some snail mail, you can find me at P.O. Box 21481, Oakland, CA 94620-1481.
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