It's time to multitask

Because we got problems

Walk, chew gum, pass gun laws, end racist hate

From the high of passing the American Rescue Plan and marveling that it included what is basically UBI for families with children, to the low of two weeks in a row where we have borne witness to horrific mass shootings, all while waiting in vain for vaccine appointments to open up where I am, it was a big swing in mood for me this week.

I can’t believe we will emerge from mass needless COVID19 deaths only to return to senseless mass needless shootings

I want to talk about voter suppression and gun safety laws and all sorts of political things, which means talking about ending the filibuster. And yet I don’t feel like talking about any of it. I’m going to let some other people talk to you.

Like Leticia Barr, with her resource-heavy post on 6 Things You Can Do to End Asian Hate Right Now.

This Twitter thread from Bawdy Bookworms founder Thien-Kim Lam is also extremely helpful.

And the organization Stop AAPI Hate has a resource and guidance section too.

Meanwhile the House has passed background checks legislation, and we need the Senate to pass it. Moms Demand Action shares how we can all take action on that and in general.

And learn about the racist history of the filibuster from NPR and more on why ending the filibuster may be not as dangerous a path as it appears for Democrats from Heather Cox Richardson.

So check out some of these great resources and smart voices, and next week I hope I find my voice again.

Last week-ish

Living up to the “-ish” in this newsletter’s name, I’m excited to share The Op-Ed Page podcast episode #49 from two weeks ago, featuring an interview with two local heroes who are tackling my area’s significant homelessness issue.

Jennifer Loving from Destination: Home and Darcie Green from Latinas Contra Cancer were each already doing great work to serve their communities (typically underserved communities no less) here in San Jose pre-pandemic. But when COVID hit it took no more than a few days before they both realized how hard hitting it would be in their communities, and they also came together to collaborate to make impact in Darcie’s community with the utmost cultural competency.

Their focus is on stepping up to prevent families from becoming homeless in the first place. Listen and you will learn exactly how little investment it actually takes to help people bridge the gaps they face that get them turned out of their homes. Especially when it compares to how much it costs our county to provide services for those who are unhoused, it seems like a no-brainer to do more of what Jennifer and Darcie’s organizations are doing.

I always recommend finding organizations with their feet on the streets where you live who know the people being served. Yes, I also donate to national organizations, but diversification is not just good for investments where you expect financial return. It’s also good for investments in the communities and causes you care most about.

What each of their orgs is doing separately, and how they’re collaborating together serves as a model. Find out if your community has similar groups. If not, maybe you should suggest it. Or even start it!!

Check it out for some inspiration!

Coming this week-ish

This week marks the release of big news, new books, and interesting projects from so many amazing women I know. Check them out:

#TheLostArtofConnecting: The Gather Ask Do Method by super-connector-extraordinaire, Susan McPherson.

Recalculating: Navigate Your Career Through the Changing World of Work by Lindsay Pollak.

Your Time to Thrive by Marina Khidekel and the editors of Thrive Global.

Jessica Jackley of Kiva fame has launched her next thing, Alltruists, and unsurprisingly it’s all about doing good…with your kids!

And I would just like to admire from afar the next move of Marla Blow, who I worked with 20 years ago when we were both much earlier in our tech careers and pre-entrepreneurial…she’s the new President and COO of the Skoll Foundation.

AND Sallie Krawcheck’s Ellevest (where, full disclosure, I have a small IRA being managed, and where multiple great former BlogHer colleagues work or worked) has become the first investment firm owned and run by a woman that has $1Billion, with a B, under management.

Nice work during Women’s History Month, all of you!

Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on all of the above. And as always I appreciate a share of this newsletter or my podcast. 

And if you think I can help you break through the things that are keeping you stuck, you can always set up your first introductory 30-minute consult for free by booking it in my Calendly.

Have a great week-ish!