Guipago

 Hey y'all. This post is going to be a bit long, but I hope you take the time to read it. Especially if you know anything about me. (You all should at this point. )

I am going to start this post with a few things about me. Why? Because in this case, who I am has been directly impacted by the person I will be talking about. And because of that, you need to understand why I am stepping outside of my comfort zone to do what I am doing.

If you've been around awhile you've probably ascertained a few things about me, the very basics that I'm referring to are below.

1. I like to help people.
2. I like to learn.
3. I do not like to take credit for things that are not mine.

I like to help people, I do it in my own way, and I do it quietly as much as I can. I do not like a lot of fan fair when I do a thing. It makes me very uncomfortable. But, if you know me, you know I wheel and deal behind the scenes to help those that I can, when I can. Whether it's spending my time and energy, or financial assistance when I can, whatever.

When you couple this with my inability (I'M TRYING) to ask for help, I usually help with things that I can directly give. Often to the point of over-extending myself.

I like to learn about things. And as I learn new things, I LOVE to share them. I'm not a vocal "sharer".  And I do not, DO NOT like to take credit for ideas and thoughts that are not my own. If you've worked with me, you'll know that if you came up with a brilliant idea, I will show case you till the cows come home. (Usually around dinner time, unless there's coyotes out, then it's any time).

But, I don't do a lot of waving of hands and tooting of horns.

I can be in the spotlight, and I can handle it, but I don't *like* it.

Now, on to the purpose of this post. I am lucky to have a lot of white-presenting, cis-female privileges in my life. It allows me to be quiet and do things calmly behind the scenes. I know this.

There are different types of folks who are fighting to change the world. The ones like me that try to change it one person at a time when we can. The helpers, the supporters, the caretakers. The folks that do the rapid strikes, and the long haulers who continuously hammer home messages.

And then there are the "tanks" of the world of change. The ones who stay outspoken and remain outspoken. The ones who get bullseyes painted on their backs, take the hits, and keep on trucking forward. Who know that their messages need to be heard, take the blows that come, and stand up fighting.

I have had a lot of fantastic teachers and mentors - people that don't even know what they've been up to, and some that go out of their way to share their thoughts, feelings, and try to change the world around them.

The latter folks don't always rub people the right way. This can lead to huge breaks in relationships, it can lead to people doing what they need and going their own way. It can lead to people knee-jerking and doing insane things to make their spaces comfortable again. Or, it can lead to people taking the time to learn and move forward.

Rhizome Syndrigast Coelacanth Flourishing has been a lightning rod for change in non-binary, intersectional, POC, and the art of growing older ferally.

They have, for a few years now, taken the time to share their work, their thoughts, and their experiences on multiple social media platforms and Patreon while dealing with a world that has been working to grind them down day after day.

I met Rhizome through a friend who is no longer mutual with them, for their own reasons. I have people in my life because of Rhizome I would not have been able to connect with elsewise. Brilliant people who stand on the forefront of helping others and changing the way society thinks of those that aren't socially "normal". (Who wants to be normal anyway?)

Rhizome is in desperate need of help. Without help, they and their son are going to lose the roof over their heads and they are trying, folks. Trying hard to move mountains to take care of themselves and their progeny.

They have less than 30 days to find a new home, take care of their kid, and keep striving to find ways to make money. They have been a stay at home parent for over 20 years, and have a huge gap in employment that they are attempting to work through.

During this time, while managing difficult life situations, Rhizome has stood up for a vast majority of marginalized folks, helped numerous people, and has helped me just by being who they are to take me outside of my comfort zone and helping me learn new things.

They have gone above and beyond to talk about areas I have no knowledge of, commiserate on areas I do know about, and give insight to areas I'm moving into as I grow older. They have helped me grow as a person, even when I have to withdraw and sit with my initial reactions to some of the things they say. Because those knee-jerks are on me, not them.

We all know life gets hard, and things get shitty. I'm not asking you to do more than you can. I am only asking that if you can spare a few bucks for their go-fund me, please do. If that is outside of your realm of possibility - help share their community pages.

No one deserves the shit that life throws at them. And everyone deserves some sort of covering over their head when they sleep at night if they so choose.  Everyone deserves a safe place that is their own.

Please help in the ways that you can. I will put the gofundme and the community blog in the comments so they are easy to reach.

(Kitten picture for tax and algorithms)