Resources for Resistance
These are a few first steps to take if you feel overwhelmed and aren’t sure how to begin making a difference.
By no means do I have all the answers to the crushing weight of our world right now, but I do have a few ways to get started in resistance. Instead of screaming into the void online, or leaving countless voicemails on representative phone lines, I am organizing ways for my neighbors to actually gather and join together in collective effort for the betterment of our world.
I am now hosting community gatherings and events for the Cruise Capable Community. You are the community if you’re reading this blog. This is in an effort to truly begin organizing as neighbors to fight for the civil liberties that are unfortunately slipping from our fingertips. My foundational belief is that we all deserve the right to a free and appropriate public education that gives our students the space to grow into individuals that have choice and freedom to develop into whomever they decide to be. This work use to be more focused on advocating for students with disabilities and now it is growing into something all students need, disabled or not.
Today, this looks like becoming informed and involved in what is taking place in our Texas politics. If we want our children to be able to read any book in school (SB13) or start/join a club that is supportive of diversity (SB12) AGAIN, we must start participating in politics. If you’re not a fan of 10 Commandments being on classroom walls (SB10), we have to start paying attention before it’s the hottest headline. All of these things are already law as of the beginning of 2025 and being implemented this school year starting September 1st. Word on the street in LISD has not yet complied with SB10.
I have been paying much closer attention to Texas since the start of this year and I can at least share what I am doing. Now, with Cruise Capable Community meet-ups, you are invited to join in the good fight with me.
On a hyper-local level- we’re getting involved in the school board meetings in LISD. Many of you missed the first meet-up yesterday, so here are the notes: LISD school board-How to get started? Print this out or save it. Then meet me at the school board meeting August 25th at 6pm. If LISD is not your district, yours likely has similar guidelines.
Follow Dr. Lori Rapp’s updates. She has great resources on school funding and updates in the laws as well. Dr. Rapp’s resources are informational for all Texas residents.
On a state level- The Texas Tribune is a great source for news on a local level. All of the SB links above will take you to Tribune articles. From there you can navigate to all news Texas.
Find your state representatives here. Then sign-up for all of their newsletters, save their numbers in your phone and follow them on socials if you’re on the apps. Its time to get familiar with who represents you and if their agenda actually represents you.
Pro-tip: start a new email just for political emails and new cycles. This allows you to put a boundary and time limit on how long of each day you choose to engage to make a difference. Because yall, even 5 minutes a day can be enough time to make multiple phones calls since most of our reps never answer their phones.
Texas Representatives giving me hope that I follow closely: James Talarico, Nicole Collier, Molly Cook, Chris Turner, Trey Martinez Fischer, Achia Davis, and Mihaela E. Plesa.
EXTRA CREDIT if your paying attention to what is happening to Nicole Collier right now (& if you don’t please go watch my Instagram story for all the details because she being held in the capitol for going on more than 24 hours). Then register to join this Zoom Call with me tonight to see what we can do as a people for Rep. Collier at 7pm.
Federally-Download the 5calls app! It quickly informs you of legislation being written and where it is in the process of becoming law. Then connects you directly to the representatives you need to call on the issue with a number and script for your call provided. If you visit their website, they have gone local to Texas politics because our representatives have gotten so out of hand.
Stay educated,
Kaitlin Cruise
No one said it was easy, but together we are more than capable of making this world a better place. Let’s get to playing our part in the revolution.
Don’t forget: BOOK CLUB STARTS SEPTEMBER 15
Let me know if you have questions. You know how to join me.
Flyer with meet-up dates for Cruise Capable Community and LISD school board meetings.
