thecottonproject:

I have something to say.

This last week, I saw my community–a school of mostly women, LBGT+, and POC–huddled together in mourning and fear. A riot literally came to my front door, and I had to pray they didn’t smash the windows while I tried to keep my freshmen students safe inside. Last night, a man was shot in my city while peacefully protesting. (Thankfully, he’s okay and the shooters have been arrested.) It’s a surreal and awful feeling to stand witness to these things. What’s worse is that the only thing new about all this is that it’s finally happening in my own city; I’ve just been privileged enough to only see it on the news up until this week.

I know things are turbulent right now. There’s a lot of fear, anger, and sadness. But I challenge you to stand tall. Support one another. Be gentle with yourself; take the time you need to feel what you have to feel. So many of you follow me because of Rick Riordan’s books; they’ve shown us the strength that exists in found family, courage, and solidarity. That no matter how dire the straits, there is an enduring power that lies inside of each of us. And we need that power now more than ever.

I’m wearing a safety pin. Even if I can’t be there beside you, I have your back. Chin up, campers. This new prophecy might get dicey, but you are never alone.