May 9 Blog: Our Vulnerabilities, Resistance & Hope

Dear Friends:

This is a very pretty Spring, but I think many of us share the sense that we are in the lull before a storm, or, to use another metaphor, in that time when the water pulls out from the sea shore in preparation to rush back in as a huge and destructive tsunami. I think that feeling is warranted.

We’ve always been lucky in Arlington where secure government jobs have provided a level of economic stability many other communities have not had. Now those government jobs have become a huge vulnerability. Although I think life at the moment does not feel very different for many of us, I suspect all of us know not one or two, but several people who have recently lost their jobs or fear they are about to.

The tsunami we are facing is not only job losses by thousands of federal workers and contractors, but it is also all the dog walking, restaurant meals, manicures and cleaning services that those who’ve lost their jobs can no longer afford. The ripple effects are only beginning to be felt, but it does not take much imagination to see what is coming. Arlington’s Food Security Coalition has a great website, and vulnerabilities can be seen in their data from the recent past. If you’re looking for an organization to help our community with basic needs, the Food Security Coalition could be a good one for you.

In addition, the diverse population we have with many immigrants has been a strength for us. That population is now under threat of deportation – whether justified or not – and many are afraid to go to work, afraid to go to the hospital or call the police in an emergency. Many are preparing to leave if they can so they can preserve some of their hard earned resources and protect their families. With a much diminished immigrant community, we lose their talents and their services. We also weaken the foundation of our local economy. We depend on immigrants for many basic services such as childcare, eldercare, construction workers, and more.

I have no answers at the moment, but I’m pretty sure none of the possible answers will be easy. I know that some very difficult choices are coming soon and that it is important our community as a whole realizes this and starts to think about our priorities. As much as possible we need to come together and prepare for making those difficult choices. This will not be like Covid when the Federal Government stepped in to ease the economic pain faced by local governments. 

Organizations at all levels need to prepare, from condo associations where many members will no longer be able to pay condo fees, but expenses continue; to Arlington County Government where many residents will no longer be able to pay their mortgages or taxes, but expenses continue. As a result, the demand for safety-net services will increase. We all need to be thinking about our priorities as individuals and as a community. Organizations, businesses, communities and individuals need decide now what is “nice to have” and what is “have to have.” And, we need to start thinking about cutting back, or cutting out entirely, the “nice to haves.”

And Finally, it is crucial that we all continue to resist the illegal actions of this Federal Administration in ways we can enjoy and keep up for a long time. Resistance is growing, but it needs to grow much more. We need a significant show of resistance on June 14, Flag Day, the planned date of a Soviet-style military parade that will start at the Pentagon and go to the National Mall downtown. That day’s resistance should be everywhere BUT downtown. I’ll discuss this in my next post.

In resistance, there is hope. As Thomas Jefferson said: “The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive.” And from Desmond Tutu: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”

As always, I hope these thoughts have been helpful.   

Best,

Libby