Resiliance Under Trumpism

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HOW THIS CAN AFFECT US 

Fascism depends on control through continuous assaults on our emotional well-being. Assaults on our institutions, masked ICE agents and “night and fog” actions terrorize and disrupt the sense of what is predictable in our lives. This presentation will explain and normalize episodes of emotional dysregulation, traumatization and feelings of overwhelm as understandable emotional responses to the rapid onset of Trumpist fascism: “In an abnormal situation, an abnormal reaction is normal.” I will describe our emotional regulation/dysregulation continuum, the signs and symptoms of dysregulation, and our reactions after exposure to primary and secondary traumatization. 

TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES

 I will lay out re-regulating methods and resources, including meditation, relaxation exercises, yoga and exercise, humor, mutual aid support, political action and psychotherapy as methods of self-care and demonstrate some of these techniques. 

The presentation’s handout and resources will be available for download from the Resource section of the Northeast LA Alliance for Democracy website: nelafordemocracy.org 

Ken Levy LMFT has worked in community mental health settings for more than thirty-five years. He has been an anti-draft counselor, a United Farmworkers Union and No Nukes organizer and is long-time antiwar and pro-democracy activist. Ken currently serves on the Coordinating Committee of the Northeast LA Alliance for Democracy