September, 2025
Last week, I ran across an essay, “On Not Surrendering in Advance (Or At Any Point Thereafter)” by writer and social activist Rebecca Solnit. It resonated deeply with me, and many others who commented.
The thrust of the piece is, quite simply, that words we use impact reality. “Our words shape reality when we tell someone they’re worthless or valuable, beautiful or ugly, beloved or unlovable, which is a bit like chanting ‘I believe that you will win. Or lose.’”
I was filled with the notion that despite the despair we may be feeling — the seeming hopelessness that assaults our senses daily — we have the power to frame the world with hope, with the knowledge that good things are happening and will prevail. All isn’t lost.
With that in mind, I point you to this month’s Good People Talk! podcast. I sat in conversation with three of our Good People … Kristen Bloom, founder of Refugee Assistance Alliance, Kari Miller, founder of International Neighbors and Shoshana Barzel, founder of New Neighbors Partnership — three women who are proving daily that good things are still happening and that they can effect change when our government’s immigration policies are creating an atmosphere of harassment and fear.
From Shoshana we hear about the pregnant woman who is afraid to show up for a prenatal medical appointment because she could be swept up in a raid. And, Kari’s stories about Afghanis who risked their lives as translators or special agents supporting US military personnel, only to find themselves here with their status arbitrarily changed.
Kristen, Kari and Shoshana are only three of our amazing GPF grantees working under difficult circumstances with people who have lost so much and have reason to despair. Yet, they do not let words change their focus or drive.
As summer winds down, I thank you all for helping us to elevate hope and good. Your support makes all of our impactful work possible.
Happy Labor Day!
Naomi
