Hey loves. I won't get into the doomy gloomy shit or anything, but there are growing calls for a general strike across the US and tbh if it's ever gonna finally happen, these times we're in would be ideal.
The #1 pushback is usually something along the lines of 'well it won't work without support and prep 🙄" but then folks don't... do the prep or support.
SO
Starting now would be a really good time to Prep as much as we can for a General Strike:
- PREP: As much as possible, even just one (1) water bottle or canned beans or peanut butter jar at a time, buy a couple extra things every time you go to the store and shove them under your bed and forget about them.
- PREP: As much as possible, even just one (1) dollar at a time, whenever possible, get cash/change and shove that in a jar under your bed too and also forget about it.
- SUPPORT: If you haven't already, look for and reach out to your local action organizations and groups, or if you can't find any try asking your local librarians. Even if you think you have nothing to offer them!! ALL kinds of labor will be needed, if you can help spread the word, bring your friends, interpret or mediate, phone bank, etc, it will help!
- SUPPORT: unions and mutual aid networks! If you aren't a Boss and even if you're an independent contractor you can still join the IWW for organizational training and strike support! Membership is on a sliding scale, etc etc, check them out!
- SUPPORT: food pantries! Organize small donation drives amongst your friend groups or neighborhood streets and become familiar with the people running the pantries and their needs and the growing public needs they face, and maybe even volunteer!
- PREP/SUPPORT: gardening and seed banks! Food stamps can be used to buy some starting things I think, I don't remember if it's seeds or seedlings or both and it might vary by location and may not last much longer, but it might be an option for you still now! Check libraries and food pantries for seed banks or other programs that might help with planters, planning, soil, etc, and try to coordinate with other community members if you can! Excess produce can go right to the pantry or each other!
- BONUS PREP IDEA: If you've got a good group of friends, talk to them. Make a plan. Consider pooling your loose change together a few dollars at a time to make yourselves a mini mutual aid fund; if a strike or other emergency happens, and you or one of your friends needs emergency help affording meds or other necessities, you'll have your mutual savings to help each other out. Coordinate for things like transportation, appointments, meals, etc, whatever would help you and yours.
Look, I know a strike is daunting especially now, especially for low-income.
Remember the initial COVID shutdowns. Remember that the entire business class was screeching bloody fucking murder after two fucking weeks, and forced reopenings, and that wasn't even a full strike and plenty of people were still working by need or necessity.
We can do two weeks, if we work together.
We might even be able to make it three. Or four.
It CAN be done, but only with mutual aid and community organizing. That stuff is already always happening. you just gotta go find it, and be ready.
