Alex Ruiz

Writer, Barbell Enthusiast, Funny Person. Co-host of Love Hate Relationship (@LHRPod).

[Alex Ruiz @A_X_RUIZ]

Great 30 minute primer on self managed abortion, and how people can safely get them (and support people who need them).

Also check out https://t.co/UGU9hqquhr. Share widely, friends.
https://t.co/ozbkbm2aiE

[Reads with Ravi @readswithravi]

Umberto Eco, who owned 50,000 books, had this to say about home libraries:

“It is foolish to think that you have to read all the books you buy, as it is foolish to criticize those who buy more books than they will ever be able to read. It would be like saying that you should use all the cutlery or glasses or screwdrivers or drill bits you bought before buying new ones.

“There are things in life that we need to always have plenty of supplies, even if we will only use a small portion.

“If, for example, we consider books as medicine, we understand that it is good to have many at home rather than a few: when you want to feel better, then you go to the ‘medicine closet’ and choose a book. Not a random one, but the right book for that moment. That’s why you should always have a nutrition choice!

“Those who buy only one book, read only that one and then get rid of it. They simply apply the consumer mentality to books, that is, they consider them a consumer product, a good. Those who love books know that a book is anything but a commodity.”

[Robert Evans (The Only Robert Evans) @IwriteOK]

people will dissect the CEO shooter's online presence for years but the question of "what radicalized him" has a pretty obvious answer

he posted X-rays of his back surgery
he read multiple books about chronic back pain
he shot a health insurance CEO

he was radicalized by pain

[Alex Ruiz @A_X_RUIZ]

I'm going to keep saying it: once the Irish and Italians and Eastern Europeans were brought under the banner of whiteness, they ceased to be a block that could be counted on for Democratic votes. And Latin Americans are headed that way. I expect it within my lifetime.

[Alex Ruiz @A_X_RUIZ]

I just read that 50% of Latino men who voted in this election went the way of Trump. That surprises some people.

I've been on this for a long while: a LOT of Latin Americans, especially older ones and especially men, will sell out everything to be considered white.

[Alex Ruiz @A_X_RUIZ]

White Democrats have taken the Latin American vote for granted (plus or minus the Cubans) since the Clinton years because they've assumed Republican scapegoating on immigration was all that was needed. They have always discounted just how conservative this demographic can be.

[Chaser Racer @SeaGL_]

@504carsonst Latinos voting for Trump only surprises people who call Latinos Latinx

[Brad Jordan @504carsonst]

Latinos voting for Trump only surprises people who don’t interact with Latinos

[Alex Ruiz @A_X_RUIZ]

This is the work. This is the often mundane, time-consuming bullshit that makes the world a better place. Again, you don't need to do everything. But just do one thing, and commit to it. If you need a break, take it. And then come back and get back to the work.

[Alex Ruiz @A_X_RUIZ]

I'm going to say something very similar to what I said eight years ago, and then I'm going to be very direct:

First, it's okay to take today to grieve. Mourn, cry, rage, break something. Take the day off. Take the week off if you need to.

It's all okay.

[Alex Ruiz @A_X_RUIZ]

- Join your local collectives. Be the person who checks on elderly or disabled community members, attends demonstrations, goes door-to-door.

In the wake of Helene, when our local orgs were still trying to get in touch with one another, the mutual aid groups were saving people.