Do They Make Ritalin for Social Justice ADHD?

Sometimes I get stuck. Emotionally…not quicksand or anything, although I think all Gen X and elder millennials have mentally prepared for that possibility. I could make the case that we are infinitely more prepared for quicksand than for the frozen feeling of Social Justice ADHD…where do we focus? Everywhere and all at once? Hyperfocus on the loudest need? Local? National? International?

To what degree do we focus and research? A deep dive into everything (impossible) or limited to the topics most important to you? A deep dive into one or two topics, and skim the other relevant pieces? Relevant to whom? To you directly? To your local community? To those with the least protection and agency?

If you’re anything like me, your brain will still be set to “grad school,” and feel the need to memorize facts, dates, context so you can make a clear case on your upcoming exam, except….there is no exam. There is no one moment beyond which you won’t have to remember this. There is also no way you’re going to remember everything in perpetuity.

Can you participate in an educated conversation, and make your case clearly even if you’re not an expert? Is it ok to say, “Hang on, I read something about this. Let me find it?” Can you speak from a place of less-than-expert, and instead as a citizen who has done their reading from reputable sources? As a fellow human? As someone open to hearing another rational point of view? YES. YES, you are allowed to express an opinion even without your PhD in the field. Are you allowed to support LGBTQ rights if you don’t have a full understanding of healthcare, puberty blockers, gender transition, and what the various Pride flags mean? YES. YES, you are allowed to express an opinion about military action, our insatiable thirst for oil, poverty —EVEN IF you don’t understand the history between Israel and Palestine or the Paris Climate accord, or if you can’t name any local or federal House or Senate bills related to solving the housing crisis or addressing SNAP benefits.

You can show up for one group without showing up for every group. It doesn’t mean you don’t support other causes—only that time, money, and energy are finite. You can find a lane. Think about how you can support the cause(s) about which you are the most passionate. I try to balance civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer’s theory that “none of us are free until all of us are free” with the feeling that I need to directly help with ALL of it. I strive not to let the illusion of perfection shatter my ability to do good. I have to remember that protecting one another takes all of us, and is not squarely on any one person’s shoulders.

It takes all of us: the visionaries, the energetic, the planners, the organizers, the listeners, those who bear witness, the helpers, the supporters in the background, those who give money, those who give time, those willing to have critical conversations one-on-one, the canvassers, those willing to provide transportation to and from the polls, those who provide food and supplies to the activists training and on the front lines, those who write and call and email their legislators, those who show up in the streets to protest, those who provide childcare so another can use their time/body/mind to function in any of these lanes. We ALL have a place. YOU have a place. YOU—perfectly imperfect, oh-so-very human, full of confusion and conviction and passion YOU. What if you fuck up? Oh, love…that’s the wrong question. WHEN will you fuck up? HOW will you fuck up? Those are the questions. Want to know the answer? Accept the calling in and the correction. Say thank you, and continue the work. None of us are done on our journeys—the journey for education, for activism, for learning the nuance of the work—and that’s ok.

So, what now? Where do you focus? Pick the thing about which you’re the most passionate. Do you have to stick with it for life? Nope. Just pick something. Pick anything. Start there. There is almost certainly a group around you involved in that work. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Plug in. Connect. Ask movement organizers how you can help. Be honest about what you can offer. We need you. Yes, YOU.

Chances are very good that you’ll be welcomed into the work. Don’t worry about imposter syndrome or newbie nerves.

Be ready with phrases like these:

I don’t know.

I wasn’t aware of that.

I’ll have to read more about that.

I’m listening.

Thanks for letting me know.

This is not my area of expertise.

Help me understand…

I’d like to learn more about…

Great job. Ready? Ok, reach out and make some connections. We need you. When you’re overwhelmed, reach out to one of your connections. Ground yourself.

There are atrocious acts of violence happening right now at the hands of our government. There are also incredibly courageous folks coming together to provide assistance and mutual aid. Both can be true.

You can be terrified and unsure of all the details AND be certain that this is not ok. Both can be true.

You can grieve because you know that people can be better than this, more supportive than this, move loving than this AND be unsure exactly what policies would make this better. Both can be true.

Even when analysis of all community needs can feel paralyzing and overwhelming, making healthy connections can help quiet that sense of overwhelm. Let your participation give you a way to put grief, love, passion, and compassion into action. Welcome! We are so glad you’re here.