The + Friday + Five: 03.28.25

The Friday + Five* is a brief list of things I have found meaningful, challenging, joyful, soothing, or quirky from the week. Some offerings will have themes, while others will feel like info was assembled by a gaze of raccoons fresh off a night of espresso bingeing. You’ve been warned.

Your Friday Five: 03.28.25

As many if you know am headed to Palestine for a month to coordinate two delgations at the invitation of Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center. If you are worried, scared, anxious, or otherwise I am right there with you.

The fear and anxiety in me are real.

Some may think I should not be public about my involvement as this may provoke a response from individuals or a government. I get that, but I am being public about this on the off chance that individuals or a government does, in fact, do something. This is not to be dramatic or to invite repercussions, but simply an acknowledgment of the realities of this political and cultural moment in time.

The fear and anxiety in me are real.

I do not tell people, "Don't worry, it will be fine." because, in light of what we are witnessing around free speech, public protest, and citizenship, that does little to convince folks that things will indeed be fine. And while I do not believe that we will be in danger even in a dangerous place (It is startling how much life goes on amid occupation and apartheid.) my spirit is unsettled.

The fear and anxiety in me are real.

TBH have felt the fear and anxiety more than I have for any of my previous three trips to Palestine. I think the difference these is not a great deal of unknowns about crossing into and meeting folks in Palestine, but there are countless unknowns that may come with returning to the United States: for me and for the people with whom I am traveling.

The fear and anxiety in me are real.

The world is upside down, causing us to be paralyzed in our advocacy and activism — and that is precisely what the hunger of empire desires.

The fear and anxiety in me are real.

But I will not allow the fear and anxiety live rent-free in my body, mind and soul.

Because liberation and love are even more real.

As I have been preparing for this trip, this is how I have been navigating these complex and convoluted emotions.

1. I respect the fear and acknowledge the anxiety. Fear is not always bad or unjustified. Sometimes fear is that warning that it is time to shift strategies, change directions, or get out. Far and anxiety can keep us aware, alert, and prepared what whatever may come. While I have not sensed it strong enough to cancel my trip, I have felt it enough to make be prepare in different ways.
2. I stay informed and nurture wisdom. While it might feel great to ignore the barrage of bad news and dwell in a space built on false protections, the is a privilege that reject. That does not mean that I am going to let overwhelming bad news have the last word, but I am taking seriously the realities of the day, so I can prepare accordingly.
3. I cry. I laugh. I eat. I play. I have always believed that expressing the fullness of my humanity is the best way to resist the constricting nature of fear. I never laugh so hard as with co-conspirators for justice. Whether it is at a protest, during a planning meeting, or over a meal our time is so often filled with joy and laughter. These very groups and in those very same spaces, we are also bound by deep caring in times of struggle and grief, making us even more connected. Fear feeds on feeling isolated, but community reminds us that we are not alone.
4. I claim hope and revel in joy. Being able to access the fullness of my humanity, the communities of which I am a part, and the ancestral memories that brought us here, is a reminder thats sometimes hope take a season or two to be revealed. I trust in hope, even and especially when the world says otherwise, for it reminds me that my life need not be centered on the fear of what may be, and revel in the joy of what is.
5. I give energy only to what I can control. This is the most important one for me as I face down my fears and try to figure out how not to let them overwhelm me. At the end of the day, I can only control my actions. I prepare as much as I think is wise and then hope others will make thoughtful decisions about what they choose or choose not to do in world. As much as I would like to be able to control the expressions of evil in the world, evil is always gonna try and evil, and I trust that I will be prepared.

Okay that's about it. I am so grateful for all of the support and positive vibes sent my way. I know that not everyone has the luxury of being able to visit Palestine, so I so deeply appreciate everyone's support, near and far.

If you would like to keep up with this round of delegations that I am coordinating, be sure to follow me on BlueSky and/or Instagram. Also, if you would like to support the fundraising efforts of both delegations, here are the links for you to give to the Delegation as a whole or individual members.

• DONATE to "Grassroots Partners in Justice: A Delegation for Organizational Leaders"
• DONATE to "Walking in Faith: A Palestinian Pilgrimage to the Empty Tomb"

From the Camera Roll: Over these past few weeks, in response to both scheduled and unexpected elder situations, I have found myself logging those hospital room hours. As our children launch into adulthood, we are defiantly finding ourselves the season of random and regular hospital visits for the generation before us. That Sandwich Generation (Panini Generation because there is pressure on both sides) is feeling all to real. If this is you too, I see you.

*The Original Friday Five was a weekly-ish post from my 2010s SF Gate’s City Brights blog. If you stumble across anything that you think would fit, please feel free to drop me a note.