Thread by @Rachel_Gutin

This evening's realization: Sometimes, it's easier to fight when you're the ally. 1/?

I recently had to take a step back from thinking about Justice Kennedy's resignation and its implications. One reason is that I feel powerless to actually do anything about it. But another reason is that it will affect me directly. 2/

I am Queer, and a Trump appointee is likely to be anti-LGBTQ. I am a woman who believes in bodily autonomy, and this appointee is likely to be anti-choice. I am a member of a union, and I have medical needs, and I want Democrats to win elections - which means access to polls. 3/

But I'm not stepping back on the various immigration fights. I will continue to fight for #NoBanNoWall, #KeepFamiliesTogether, and #Dreamers. 4/

And I thought that was because I might actually make some small difference for immigrants. I can show up at rallies that might sway public opinion - and the opinions of legislators. I can donate money to groups helping immigrants. 5/

But it's also because, while these fights for immigrants often make me feel sad, disappointed and angry, they don't stress me out. This is because I am not an immigrant. I am in no danger of deportation, or even of losing my citizenship any time soon. 6/

No one in my family is in danger of deportation. I don't have close friends who are Dreamers. I don't personally know any Muslims who were banned from entering this country. I care about these issues, but they don't affect me. Not directly, anyway. 7/

And because I am not directly affected by the end of DACA, the Muslim Ban, or the family separations at the border, fighting to change these policies isn't nearly as stressful for me. My life and well-being aren't on the line. Instead, I'm fighting for other people. 8/

It's easier to for me to fight the immigration fights because my own life and well-being doesn't hang in the balance. It's easier for me to fight this fight because, in this fight, I am one of the allies. 9/

It's easier to fight this fight because less stress means more stamina. I might come home physically exhausted from rallying in the summer heat, but I won't be emotionally drained. In fact, I might feel emotionally recharged from doing something to help. 10/

If I were in one of the groups affected, every rally would be high-stakes. If this fails, what happens next? What if I didn't fight hard enough? What if I fought too hard and called attention to myself? What if? What if? What if? And every what if sucks away more energy. 11/

From an emotional energy angle, it's easier to fight if you're outside of the group being oppressed. Which is to say, get out there and use your ally power. Because it may be more important than you realize. 12/12