COVER PHOTO: 

Tips for Navigating Election Season

SLIDE ONE: What is Election Anxiety?

Election anxiety, or election stress or political anxiety, is the stress, fear, and anxiety that arises around an election.

SLIDE TWO:

How does Election Anxiety Impact Black People?

Black people navigate numerous unique narratives and experiences that fuel anxiety during election season.

Including:

• Historic and present day attempts to take away voting rights and restrict access to voting polls for Black People
• Ongoing history of murder, violence and death threats towards Black people as it relates to voting and voting access
• Safety concerns: Black LGBTQ people, Afro-Latinos, Haitians and Black women moving through election season where racist, anti-haitian, transphobic and misogynistic narratives are constantly invoked

SLIDE THREE: How does Election Anxiety Impact Black People? (Continued)

Black people navigate numerous unique narratives and experiences that fuel anxiety during election season.

Including:

• Shame about voting apathy that many feel due to lack of change in their material lives
• Pressure to vote to "honor elders and ancestors" despite having differing political perspectives
• Conflicts with family members over political perspectives and problematic conversations about who is "Black" based on their voting choices.

SLIDE FOUR: How you can help manage Election Anxiety:

• Respect the Diversity of Black Political Thought. Black people have always had differing political orientations and perspectives
• If you are invested in the electoral process, use your energy to vote and organize voters!
• Create safety councils for your community; travel together to vote, schedule check ins
• If people express disinterest in a particular political party or perspective, considering listening instead of trying to forcibly change their position.

SLIDE FIVE: How you can help manage election anxiety: (continued)

• Cut the phone off and unplug when you can
• Practice: Meditation, Coloring, Painting, Yoga,Books
• Talk to a trusted wellness practitioner or therapist for support
• Hold An Election Rest Party! Get folks together and create space to unwind, party without TVs or phones.