"The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." -George Orwell, 1984

Seventy people have died in the hands of ICE agents since 2017 according to American Oversite. Thirty-two of those happened in 2025 alone, and as of January 1, 2026 the count increased with the blatant murder of Renee Nicole Good. The current administration is desperate to spin the story to paint Good as a domestic-terrorist and the ICE agent as victim. Even though there is evidence that clearly proves otherwise.

As I type this, I received word that ICE has moved south into my hometown. Targeting people who are quietly and lovingly living their lives.

We have choices in these moments. The choice to believe history. The choice to believe lived experiences. The choice to believe that every single human is worthy.

We also have the choice to recognize the cognitive dissonance happening within us and observe it with compassion, seek help if it hits our trauma, and reach out and hold others to remind ourselves we are not alone.

Fear is a mighty, mighty sword. One that partners with Gaslighting, Propaganda, and Dam-breaking onslaught of noisy distraction, misdirection, and deep, deep dehumanization.

If we are busy hating each other, then those in political power can continue to rip away the seams of democracy.

But what do we do?

We resist.

Resist the urge to escape.

Resist the urge to shrug it away and acquiesce your personal power.

Resist the urge to ignore or dismiss those who believe a truth outside of yours.

Resist the urge to give into the despair that comes on the heels of hurt and rage.

Resist.

Resist.

Resist.

What if I feel helpless?

When the opportunity to take action arises, you rise with it. When you can use your voice, use it. When you can use your video capabilities, use them. When you must stand with humanity, straighten your spine.

Donate. Volunteer. Amplify. And do so from a place of contribution, not absolution.

We all have something to add to the collective human experience. Let us add goodness, boldness, art, music, dance, joy, compassion, and yes, righteous rage fueling mutual aid.

I continue to believe in humans. Those who are standing up and not standing by. Those who are organizing whistle warnings for their neighborhoods. Those who text with their networks to raise awareness of dehumanization so we can watch and take action together and care for one another while doing it.

Renee Nicole Good and the countless others who have been murdered, abused, traumatized, detained, and deported at the hands of this Administration are worth our attention. They are worth believing, hurting for, and acting for.

Resist, friends.

"Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows." - George Orwell, 1984