Reader,
To be clear: this isn't a political newsletter. This is a design newsletter, but some things are bigger than politics. I know the past few emails have been...heavy.
I've been staring at my content calendar all week wondering: should I even be posting my designs right now?
Another ICE killing. People being detained. Communities living in fear. And I'm supposed to...what? Post about design trends? Share a carousel about brands I've created? Act like everything is normal?
I've been posting things, trying to show up, trying to stay visible, but it feels weird to post graphics when all this other sh!t is going on.
It doesn't feel right, but shutting down completely doesn't feel right either.
So I've been sitting with this question: How do we keep building when the nation is on fire?
And honestly? I don't actually know. But here's what I keep coming back to:
Silence isn't neutral.
Not posting, not showing up, not talking about what's happening is a choice.
As a Black woman, I've watched this playbook my entire life. State violence. People being killed with impunity. Communities being torn apart. This isn't new...it's just who's being targeted that's shifted.
And every time, there's a choice: speak up or stay silent.
For some people, silence feels like safety. They can afford to look away because it's not happening to them...yet. But here's the thing: your silence doesn't protect you. It protects the system.
If you are going to post, acknowledge what's happening first. Don't just jump into your regularly scheduled content like nothing is wrong. People are watching more than ever and what you say and do will tell them everything they need to know about your values.
This could have been prevented. We all knew what was at stake. And here we are anyway.
So, what next?
Your platform matters.
If you have an audience, you have a responsibility. That doesn't mean you need to become a political commentator or an activist overnight. But it does mean using your voice to:
- Amplify the people directly affected
- Share resources, mutual aid funds, legal support info
- Call out what's wrong instead of staying comfortable
And if you're not sure how to navigate this? My friend Sarissa Thrower of Suite Number Nine put together a resource specifically for creators and public figures on how to express your values right now. It includes guidance and sample language for handling questions from your audience about where you stand.
Building can be resistance.
Here's the thing: I'm still building. I'm still working on my 90-Day Reset. I'm still creating systems and reaching out to clients and moving my business forward.
I'm doing it with my eyes open. I'm talking about what's happening. I'm showing up for the people who need it. I'm not pretending everything is fine.
So what do we do?
Here's what I'm doing, and you can take or leave any of it:
1. Acknowledge reality before you promote anything.
If you're posting business content, start with what's actually happening. Don't act like we're all just living our best lives right now.
2. Use your platform for more than yourself.
Share mutual aid links. Amplify immigrant rights organizations. Spread accurate information. Your audience trusts you, so use that.
3. Keep building, but build with purpose.
Ask yourself: Is what I'm building just for me, or does it create capacity to help others? Please note that helping others isn't always monetary.
4. Don't perform activism for content.
If you're only posting about what's happening to look good, people can tell. Show up because it matters and always, read the f*$k!ng room.
I don't have this all figured out. I'm navigating this in real time just like you. But I know this: we can't afford to be silent, and we can't afford to stop building.
So let's do both. With intention. With honesty. With our communities at the center.
P.S. If you have resources, organizations, or mutual aid funds you think people should know about, reply and share them. I'll amplify what I can.
TaRon 'Ronnie' Joyner
Founder, 1991 Design
