Peace, Love, & Blue Sky

When El0n Muskrat* bought Twitter I knew it was only a matter of time before I needed to leave. Things were already falling apart on the platform. So after the election and clear sense that EM had used the platform to spread disinformation and lies about the Biden administration and Harris campaign, I joined the gazillion users who fled to BlueSky.

I already had a BlueSky account, again, cause I saw the tweets on my screen. The tricky part of finding an alternative to Twitter or Facebook has always been volume. Were enough of your friends or accounts you follow also joining you in the move? That was a big no when Google+ attempted to lure us away from Facebook. Same with a handful of other more independent platforms.

Now you may ask, why the fuck do we need an alternative? Why can’t we just give it all up? Well, for me, I don’t see a better alternative for keeping up with friends, family, and people I organize with. I also use social media to keep up on news and women’s sports. Plus it can be fun! It’s like an online party where you can join different conversations.

In 1994 I stumbled upon a new online feminist organization that started by sending weekly updates on what was happening with the GOP takeover of Congress. Then it invited readers to join a listserv or mailing list filled with feminist activists who wanted to connect. On that list I met some big names like Katha Pollitt and others who did amazing things like innovate GOTV efforts or write the Violence Against Women Act with then-Senator Joe Biden. There was also a woman who worked at Dr. Tillers clinic, another who managed another abortion clinic, but mostly folks like me who wanted community to process what was going on, what we were going to do about it, and how we could get it done.

That’s where I met Jennifer Pozner. We were the kids on the list, not quite defending Monica Lewinsky (if you’re reading this, I should have!), but definitely condemning President Clinton and mainstream feminists who came to his defense. Long story short, that was 1997. Since then Jenn and I have seen each other through many of life’s transitions, including migrating to BlueSky!

Earlier this week we launched a BlueSky starter pack - these are basically a list of accounts you can follow with one click - of feminist writers. Everyone in the pack is someone who we have read, worked with, and likely admired. Absolutely a writer we think you should be following. Starter packs are a great way to jump start your community and with ours, share out faves.

As we wind down this very hard year and head into holiday parties and perhaps family gatherings where you need a distraction, please check out our starter pack! What better antidote to having to break bread with Uncle Leo who wears a MAGA stocking to dinner than to read through feminists making jokes, sharing news, or perhaps tips on handling toxic family members?

Until 2025, my dears! Be good to yourself. And remember you don’t need to earn holiday goodies.

*is that offensive to muskrats? I’ve never investigated