Happy fuckin’ July y’all. We are (somehow) more than halfway through this year. This year…I feel like I’ve aged 5 years since January. Does anyone else feel like December was another lifetime ago? I can’t believe how fast the time has gone by but it has also felt like so. fucking. much. has. happened. Because SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED. This world has changed so much since 2024. And like, NOT in a good way (but that goes without saying, right?) It’s hard not to feel absolute whiplash right now. It’s (of course) by design to throw so much at people so fast to keep them overwhelmed, but the speed at which that’s happening this year is terrifying. I try not to dwell on it all the time (because ya know, life is also happening) but shit, it can be a struggle not to. I know a lot of y’all out there feel the same way right now. Just remember to please take the rest you need to make sure you are good, and then get involved in your communities. In any way. It is so essential right now to build those bonds with those around you. To know your neighbors. To know your coworkers. To know the people you see all the time that live around the corner from you. We have to remind ourselves that the “waves arms around” system is not here to protect us, and WE have to protect us. I went on a food dropoff ridealong this weekend with a member of Seattle Community Fridge and she was telling me that, as an older white woman she was always encultured with the idea that “if you work hard enough, the system will always provide for you” (no shade to this person whatsoever- she is amazing and the context was that she saying that she had to unlearn those things, which she has). The truth is: the system really will not. And for many people, never has. This obviously isn’t news to most of you, but I think that it’s true for some folks who have privilege (whether white, male, etc.) and who have never had exposure to a diversity of people and perspectives or to highly visible systemic issues in the country (i.e. homelessness, food scarcity, environmental degradation, police brutality, etc.) then they aren’t aware of that reality. They can’t even imagine that reality. Sure, social media exists, and the internet exists, and people should educate themselves, but actually having it baked into part of your everyday life is something completely different. If we want to understand how to show up for each other, we have to be present as much as possible to understand these realities. We have to take the time to really know the people around us. Anyways- what an intro!! I obviously have some feelings. I also wanted to provide some fun life updates:
I went to a drag show at the Seattle Aquarium for Pride with my friend Steph and saw some old friends (plus made some new ones- the fish 😉)
I got to hang out with some cute dogs!
And I went to Portland with some friends! (Actual blog post on this trip coming soon!)
With all that outta the way (btw yes I am wearing a Grindr muscle T in the last pic thanks for noticing): let’s get to this week’s Slices.
Sunday Slice- 7/6/2025
Mutual Aid Station: Building Party for a Mutual Aid Station at Estelita’s with Seattle Community Fridge (Seattle)
So you know I’ve been involved with Seattle Community Fridge as of late. And there’s some exciting news: we’re adding a new fridge in the Central District! It will be located at Estelita’s Library (which is this awesome grassroots library and bookstore focusing on books about liberation movements, ethnic studies and social justice). In addition, the building of a whole mutual aid station will be built as well! This will include a large pantry, sink, charging station, bulletin board, and more. The build of the new Estelita’s mutual aid station will be going on July 11 from 3-7 and July 12 from 1-5. No experience required! It’s going to be an extremely fun afternoon of constructing something really important for and with the community. I’ll be going- lmk if you want to join! Estelita’s is located here.
Aaaaand if you want to stick around, there will be Gullet Stuffer! (get your head out of the gutter pervs). This is the classiest food eating contest in Seattle. All proceeds will benefit Seattle Community Fridge. July 12 from 7-10 PM. It’s not at Estelita’s but right down the street at Grocery Outlet. A food eating contest AT Grocery Outlet (aka the love of my life?) Sign me up.
Political Education: Read Literature on Policies Impacting Housing Security
Homelessness is such a layered, complex, multifaceted issue. So many things compound and intersect with each other, making it difficult sometimes to even know where to begin with understanding what’s caused housing accessibility to get so bad lately. It’s a topic I find myself wanting to understand better- both the specific factors leading to it, and also what some proven successful techniques in providing support are. I found this awesome library of information on The Western Regional Advocacy Project’s website going containing a wealth of articles and information over these exact things. If you’re feeling in the reading mood, and want to learn more about this like I do, then I highly suggest checking some out! Ooh and before I forget- the link to this library is here.
Accompaniment and Court Watch Training with NorCal Resist
No one should walk alone into ICE or immigration court just because they can’t afford an attorney- we can be there with them. NorCal Resist is a Sacramento-based community run organization who offers a variety of aid programs to support those who need it, including food distribution events, free brake light repair, and accompanying folks to ICE check ins and immigration court appearances (which recently have been key places that ICE has been abducting people). With community members present in these environments, its harder for this to happen (and honestly- going into court appearances as an immigrant must be terrifying, so if anything showing up as a supportive force is hugely helpful emotionally and mentally). To make sure we show up in the most effective way possible, check out this virtual Accompaniment & Court Watch Training session being put on by NorCal Resist on Monday, July 7th at 7:00 PM PST. The link for the training is here. For a full calendar of events that NorCal Resist is hosting, check out their events calendar here.
It’s been feel very real lately that I’m leaving Seattle. It’s kind of scaring tf outta me (I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous to start somewhere completely new) but I’m also just so, so excited for a different chapter to begin. I’m going to miss all my Seattle peeps something fierce! I hope you’ve enjoyed the slice this week. It was a bit longer than normal, but I feel like I just had so much to say! Thanks for sticking around.
- Vel ❤
La Vida Veeta 
Leave a comment