voting in honor of those who can't

I don't wanna, but I'm gonna use this privilege.

I don’t wanna vote when my options suck and I don’t believe in the two party system.

Luckily I live in Maine where we have ranked voting - so I can vote for a 3rd party who aligns much closer to my actual values and still have my vote count for the “lesser evil” who is committing so much harm yet factually will cause less harm than the other 2 party option… - but even then I know what I dream for this world lives beyond this ballot and system.

Yet, I’m gonna vote.

I now recognize my ability for my vote to count is a privilege, and even if I didn’t ask for it/don’t want it, it is my responsibility to use it well. I do not mean this in a patriotic way - just a matter of fact way with an expanded view beyond just myself & what’s “mine”.

I have a voting plan for Tuesday, and…

I’m voting in honor of those who unjustly can’t - the people of the over-exploited “territories” of this country, those outside of it, those who have passed, and the sentient flora & fauna… (especially in honor of my beloved kin on that trash island beautiful floating island of resilience. 🇵🇷)

I’m voting in honor of the Earth, even though I know this is the very system that disregards her. I know we will continue to follow in and lead through her ways.

I’m voting for our rights to choice, even though there will still always be obstacles and this isn’t the end of the fight for reproductive rights. I know we deserve it.

I’m voting for a chance at a future that is even 1% better, even though I know it won’t happen through the government. I know change is gradual and cyclical.

I’m voting because I believe we have to work with one foot in the system and one foot outside of it - leaning into a better, possible future, while remaining present to what currently is. I know there is a way.

I’m voting for even slightly fewer obstacles towards liberation within this country, even if we still have so much to abolish domestically and internationally. I know we’re creative and clever and the revolution takes time.

I’m voting for some, any hope at less conflict, even though I know the people in power will always choose where the money and power is. I know we’ll keep choosing people over profit.

I’m voting for less hate and separation, even if they all stem from the same root at the foundations of this very system. We’ll keep working for true reform.

I know we are guided and supported by the more-than-human species and spirits.

I know my vote is only a drop in the sea, but I’m trying to make sure it’s not adding to acidity.

The vote is not the end nor the true beginning - it’s just a moment of potential.

And I’ll keep focusing, before and beyond it, on what truly matters on the ground, in our hands, and beyond borders and limiting labels - not bypassing but believing in the in-betweens and truth of it all.

I’ll follow the cracks, knowing there is nothing but Earth beneath me.

We are not just single seeds - we are trees. So know this is just one seed of many. 🌱

Do you have a voting plan? 🌱

👋🌿

In Sensory Solidarity,

Rachael

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