War and Peace

Ways to citizen; racism in crises; and climate change says hi.

Mar 2, 2022

Hi you.

I didn’t have a war scheduled in my Google Calendar, and odds are you didn’t either so, are you tired? Angry? Sad? Confused? All of these things? Yeah, me too. I’m working on some thoughts to expand on in Puck shortly. Meanwhile…

In personal non-WWIII news I’ll be in Austin Texas for all of SXSW so hit me up of you’re there or have recommendations for bands, events, or must-eat foods. I’m doing a conversation with Priya Parker, and likely to add some things so check my schedule here.

And thanks to reader, Rebecca. She pointed out that the video I shared in my last newsletter of the homeless YouTuber ThePandaPhotographer, also includes a link to his own GoFundMe and YouTube channel in case you missed it.

Now, I’ve been thinking of ways we can citizen in this moment of war, so here’s a short list.

Follow this Twitter list I made to keep track of some of the most reliable sources and analysis of Putin’s war on Ukraine.
If you’re active in the web3 community, check out Sunflowers4Ukraine which is raising Ethereum (and US dollars) to distribute to various vetted organizations.
Support independent media in Ukraine.
Read this newsletter which is itself a long list of good stuff.

And now… links!

Zelensky and his crew. We right here.

This Mobb Deep remixed version of the Ukrainian president and his advisors showing Putin and the world they aren’t going anywhere really moved me.

Alex Kliment @SaoSasha

went and translated that zelensky selfie video from the streets of kyiv, just to know what he was actually saying in response to the russian reports that he had fled -- so here it is for the rest of you, plus this music naturally felt right. enjoy.

The Image of Putin Has Broken (Puck, paywall but free if you provide email)

If you read just one source on what’s happening in Ukraine, it should be the work of my Puck colleague, Julia Ioffe. Maybe you’ve seen her on, well, everywhere TVs stream. This latest piece of her’s is riveting in how it captures the present and clarifying when it comes to the past that has brought us here.

‘Yes, He Would’: Fiona Hill on Putin and Nukes (Politico)

A comprehensive and frightening explanation of Putin’s motives from Fiona Hill, a straight talker many of us met during Trump’s second impeachment. Long read. Essential.

UN climate report: 'Atlas of human suffering' worse, bigger (AP)

The IPCC dropped another mixtape — “an atlas of human suffering” — and it’s a doozy. “Climate change is killing people,” said co-author Helen Adams of King’s College London. “Yes, things are bad, but actually the future depends on us, not the climate.”

Trayvon Martin Is Still Making America Confront Its Original Sin (New York Times)

The NYT put together this video/magazine piece about the spark Trayvon Martin’s life provided to the modern civil rights movement. My only issue is with the framing of anti-Black racism / slavery as our “original sin.” That title goes to the displacement and attempted genocide of indigenous peoples.

Comedian, president, warrior: the transformation of Volodymyr Zelenskiy

Great podcast episode focusing on who the Ukrainian president was before he was elected and who he’s become since Putin’s invasion.

One way to combat Russia? Move faster on clean energy (LA Times)

Releasing oil from strategic reserves can help as can shipments of liquified natural gas, but we can do better. Let’s stop powering our lives by empowering violent dictators and digging our collective graves at the same time. This will not make the world perfect. It will make the world better.

Twitter thread from historian Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon on racial hierarchies in Europe and Ukraine

Helpful context for some of the ugly images of African students and other non-White presenting Ukrainians being rejected at borders and train stations. She also put together this incredible list of places to support including those focused on BIPOC and disabled refugees.

Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon @ksvarnon

My research on race and experience in Ukraine, Russia and the Soviet Union has taught me: Race is fluid and contextual, and the American racial paradigm too often shapes the global discourse. Ukrainians are often at the bottom of the European racial hierarchy. 1/

Opinion: In Tigray, we are demanding food and medicine, not bombs (Devex)

One of my first thoughts as the world’s attention focused on Ukraine, and major international bodies and companies acted in near-unison to condemn and punish Russia, was “Can we do this for Tigray?” There’s probably no such thing as equally paying attention to all suffering simultaneously at all times. But if you can, spare some attention, energy, and love to people who’s suffering hasn’t garnered the global mobilization of resources we see directed at Ukraine.

Jose Andres visits Ukraine bakery (Twitter)

Here’s a tweet from Jose Andres with a 5 min video at a local bakery in the country. “There are many ways to fight a war.” Feeding people is one of them. Love this man.

José Andrés @chefjoseandres

Checking in from outside Lviv in Ukraine! I’m at this amazing bakery that is working with @WCKitchen to feed refugees fleeing Ukraine & also the community still here…They are baking so much we are going to bring them more flour. Take a look at the operation! #ChefsForUkraine 🇺🇦

Using Science and Celtic Wisdom to Save Trees (and Souls)

Oh this is a great note to close on. Trees are magical and so is this incredible woman who’s been sharing their wisdom with us for decades. I first heard of Diana Beresford-Kroeger via this 30 minute YouTube lecture, and it almost made me cry at the beauty of her message.