Why I'm on a few government watchlists.

Me: "Better political analysts than I are talking about the current problems, I'd rather focus my blog on workable personal solutions."

The Universe: "Girl, it is 2026, and you're an American. Please."

Go ahead. Considering that list, guess why I would be on an FBI watchlist or three?

If you've read my About page, you'd probably point to my history as a 2016 Water Protector aka community organizer around water rights. That's definitely how I originally got myself on a few lists, but I had to give it up because of the Great Fibromyalgia Flare of 2018, and my health has just gone downhill from there. What in heavens name could I be doing with my very limited energy/spoons that would worry the current US government?

You may also point to my continuing decolonization work, but beyond one blog essay, that's all been lived personal philosophy, I don't think I can be arrested for things like cooking my own food from scratch.

The answer is in AuntieLinks. I organize a clothing swap.

That's right, my coordinating the re-distribution of resources in the community, with my organizational partners being an amazing trans woman and her amazing wife, is anti-American behavior nowadays.

So much for "with Liberty and Justice for All."

I have been laughing about this all day. Of all the terrifying people out there, they're going to profile the crippled clothing swap auntie?

It's easier than crying.

Memorial Day is the next big American holiday, where we honor the soldiers who gave their lives to preserve our American way of life. I'm sure they would be very proud that their sacrifice is keeping our country safe from the horrors of *checks notes* ladies clothing swaps that welcome trans women.

I'm sure the FBI agents sent to raid the home of a *checks notes* crippled cat lady living with a bunch of Trump voters are really going to feel like all that training and commitment they put into their careers was worth it for that one defining moment when they truly made the country a safer place.

I'm sure the American Taxpayer couldn't think of anything more urgent to spend the money taken from their paychecks on than shutting down an *checks notes* Earth Day event promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship on a local, realistic scale for the everyday person to participate in.

Which is why I'm sure the event will go off without a hitch, and so will the one in the fall, because what we're doing is as American as sticking your dick in an apple pie in a teen romcom, and what they're doing is... not very American of them. Go ahead, name something seditious that could possibly be done during a four hour clothing swap event twice per year that would justify an FBI raid using YOUR tax dollars paying YOUR federal agents to harass American citizens collecting charitable donations.

And yet, my semi-annual ladies and theydies clothing swap meets all seven of the criteria listed above for "domestic terrorism." Proudly, by the way. We'd rather be on the right side of history, thanks. And we're going to be SO stylish while we are.

I just... I'm well aware that the American Mythology is just that - a myth - but it's still so jarring when you're told you are so lucky to have been born in a place where you're "truly free" and can "do or be anything you want to be" at that young, impressionable brain development age by the right important people that whenever it's shoved into my face that my national identity, which was encouraged to be a big part of my personal identity, was all a gigantic, blatant lie told to kids who didn't know better and therefore couldn't prepare for the reality of their situation as it got worse and worse...