About To Write a Refuge

As the year 2025 begins to take shape, America has been rocked by the sudden feeling that we are creeping toward fascism, division, and disaster. Movements are afoot that are anti-democratic and have given voice to racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, oligarchy, and fascism. Our physical, mental, and social health is in danger in a way never before encountered in the nearly-250 year American experiment. 

It is terrifyingly easy in these days to be overwhelmed by the impending disasters. Everywhere we turn - on social media, in the workplace, at family dinner - we are bombarded by negativity and fear. And it's all valid. We commit to fighting for equality, freedom, and justice. And in that fight, we grow weary. We grow overwhelmed. We grow desperate and hopeless. And we are confronted by the desire to give up. 

But we can't. What if some future society - whether our own or a different one - survives and questions what things were like for us. They would, perhaps, see only the negatives and the disasters. But that would be an incomplete story. There are, and have been, and will be joys. There are, and have been, and will be victories. There is, and there was, and there will be love. 

To Write a Refuge exists for two reasons - to provide a place for joy and victory and love to be cataloged for those who come after, and to give moments of joy to those who are beleaguered, tired, distraught, and anxious. We are choosing not be overwhelmed by our sorrow.

This is not an exercise in ignoring the realities of living in a society that has lost its bearings. We actively acknowledge the racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, oligarchy, and fascism. We acknowledge the state of our nation and the myriad challenges we face. We are committed to continuing to seek equality and freedom and fighting to end systemic injustice. Our choice of seeking joy and moments of love and victory in no way absolves us from continuing to resist. 

As a family, as a movement, as a people committed to change and resistance and hope - we say, onward.

Editor - Adam Hughes (he/him)