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Let Every Word Be a Wrench in Their Machine

A few notes on navigating this historical moment and finding ways to plug in, plus some specific resources and events to lift up.

Let Every Word Be a Wrench in Their Machine

In times of crisis and overwhelm, there’s not going to be one single answer, or one perfect action we can take. There is no big red button we can run outside and push to “fix” things. And the energy spent on searching for the one answer, yelling at people who aren’t providing it, yelling at ourselves for not knowing it… that is energy that could be better spent elsewhere.

I’m thinking about the abolitionist framing of “one million experiments.” Even beyond the specific issue of public safety, prisons, and policing, I find that concept really useful: when we don’t have one big answer to the state of the world, we instead need to cultivate lots of smaller answers, creative efforts, pieces of what must be a larger puzzle. In other words: Do stuff. Try.

Of course, pure action-for-action’s sake can be a trap. But this is also a moment when action does matter. We can still be thoughtful and strategic. And crucially, we can be collaborative. In my book, one of the characters says:

Organizing is not about having all the answers. It is about working through the questions. Together. It is about finding better questions to ask. Together. It is about movement, in both a literal and figurative sense. When there are answers to find, they are found through action. Through struggle.
To engage fully in that process, we must be ourselves. Fully. We must bring our imaginations to bear. Pool them together as a hundred different pigments create a black from which anything could emerge. Because action and imagination are not opposites. Personal and universal are not opposites. Urgency and intentionality are not opposites.

In that spirit, a few offerings:

three zines: on promotion, political writing prompts, and activism first steps.

2025 Art + Activism Mini-Zines

Three months into 2025, and I’ve got three new zines to share, each one a response to a specific question that has come up in my work/life this year. A reminder, if you’re newer to the term, that a “zine” is like a “little magazine,” a small, self-published booklet designed to be easily printed and shared.

  1. BEYOND SOCIAL MEDIA: For people trying to find ways to connect with others, to promote their projects, and to spread the word about what’s important… beyond social media platforms that are increasingly unstable.
  2. LET EVERY WORD BE A WRENCH IN THEIR MACHINE: Sharing some writing prompts for both people exploring how to use their voice in this historical moment. Lots of ideas for writers, as well as some favorite examples of how writing can “meet the moment.”
  3. SOMETHING TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ASKING "WHAT DO WE DO!?" Sharing some favorite links and resources sharing ideas for taking action, especially for people new to activism and organizing.

I’ve been making zines for a long time, but decided to switch formats this year to make them as easy as possible for others to copy/print/share—find downloadable PDFs in each link!

You can find all of my zines here, and if you can’t make it to a live performance (where I give them away for free), I believe there are still a few bundles available to order via Button Poetry - though those bundles won’t have these new ones in them.

two artistic prints juxtaposing art and lyrics: one on grief and one on possibility
words by me, art by Natalie Hinahara

For people asking how they can support my work

I appreciate that! Most of the profit I make from art-related stuff goes right back into art stuff, so the best way to help, for example, print more zines, is probably just to buy my art. A few examples: 

  • My anti-authoritarian sci-fi poetry book, Not a Lot of Reasons to Sing, But Enough, is available directly via Button Poetry and through most booksellers.
  • Also via Button: this very cool collection of art prints based on my words! (2 of the 5 pictured above)
  • Finally, a reminder that March 7 is Bandcamp Friday: if you buy any of my music there, the platform doesn’t take a cut. Two shout outs:
    • A newly remastered version of the 2017 song So-Called Prez that I have a verse on, next to a bunch of fantastic emcees. A throwback posse cut.
    • My full climate crisis concept album, All Dressed Up, No Funeral, which came out last year; I personally think it’s the best writing I’ve ever done, but what do I know.

Up Next in 2025

A few things on my radar, some I'll be involved with, and some I just think are cool:

I know that's a lot of Twin Cities stuff. If you're reading this from somewhere else, here's info on how to bring me to your school, conference, festival, church, or other community space.

Thanks again!

A big of a longer message this time, but I hope you can find something useful or interesting in the big blob of thoughts and links and events. Really appreciate your reading. I'll end with some art: my favorite single verse from the new album (music by Big Cats, animation by Medium Zach):

Tend to your grief like a garden / tend to your grief like a fire.