5.20-5.26.2025: Justice & Queen of Pentacles
Katrina was recently lucky enough to attend a panel discussion with the incredible YA author Jason Reynolds. She was happily surprised to learn that City of Minneapolis Poet Laureate Junauda Petrus would be giving an introduction and sharing a poem. As she introduced her poem, “Hood Girls,” she spoke of the injustices happening in our country. She spoke of how the powers-that-be are trying their damnedest to harden us. They are trying to eliminate all softness, all goodness, all sweetness in our lives. (Without speaking a single name, we all understood who "they" were.)
Injustice runs rampant these days. Atrocities are present in the news we consume, the conversations we have with friends and neighbors, and for many—in the very air we breathe. This week will unfortunately be no different. What can be different, however, is our approach to these injustices.
When a worthy cause is around every corner, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. The Queen of Pentacles implores us to grab hold of one small thing. Take it by the hand, bring it into our lap, and Mother it. Plant one small seed. Take one small action. And take it on whole-heartedly. Adopt a cause. Any cause. Whatever cause is closest to your heart. Make it tangible.
Some ideas? Double your financial support for local public media. Cancel your Target order and buy from a small business instead. Offer your time or talents to an organization that’s under attack. Thank a teacher. Bring a garbage bag along with you on your next walk. Donate to an organization working to reunite families. Write a letter. Attend a protest. Talk to your children about your values. Show up for a trans kid. Find an empty Little Free Library and fill it with books that reflect and affirm the children in that neighborhood.
Create a kind, gentle, generous pocket of the world. Grow it. Nurture it. Tend to it. But whatever you do, don’t look away. Don’t let this moment freeze you. Don't let it dim you. Don't let it harden you. Because that’s when they win.
