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I've been doing a lot of thinking about how I can help in this moment, and figured a brain dump might be helpful to others as well, so here goes. I'm an introvert. I'm a person who avoids conflict. You normally wont see me at a protest or rally. However sometimes the world doesn't care... 🧵1/15

... who we are or how we process, and in my community (the Minneapolis/St. Paul area) now is one of those times. I've given a lot of thought as to what the coming weeks will look like- ways that more passive/quiet folks like myself can show up. Going from the easiest to the hardest: 🧵2/15

1. Call your friends and neighbors, both people in the crosshairs of this mess, and those who aren't (yet). Ask how they are (many are probably not OK). Lend an ear, a shoulder to cry on, some kindness. I am not one who is targeted, but a call from a friend (from another state)... 🧵3/15

... to check in on me snapped me out of a feeling of helplessness, and drove me to start meeting this moment. I've called friends of mine who are targets, and they all were appreciative of a place to vent, cry, and even laugh. Ask if there is anything you can do. 🧵4/15

2. If you have children, talk to them. Ask if they have any questions, or what they've heard. Share as much of what is going on right now with them as you think is appropriate. We've had chats with both of our boys (12 and 16). They're confused, and don't necessarily understand... 🧵6/15

... what all this is. We've also urged them to focus on being a friend to kids in their school that are targets of all this. My 16-year-old would normally shrug this kind of talk off, but he was quite engaged in this conversation. We don't want them to be scared... 🧵7/15

... but we also want them to feel empowered to help in their own community of school. Along those lines, we mentioned that some of their friends might be scared and act out, or shut down, and this is OK. Just Be. A. Friend. 🧵8/15