In times of difficulty, with a government working against its own people, we must turn to our friends and loved ones to provide context, language, energy, and hope. The People's Project offers a range of perspectives, drawing wisdom from their communities and histories: from "know-your-place" aggression to "crip time" as a way forward, from finding strength in nature to how trans people provide a guide for the future, and how hope has everything to do with survival. We hope these meditations and strategies will provide you with inspiration and fortitude for the years ahead.--

Let's all stay alive / Alexander Chee -- Catching the light / Joy Harjo -- Chile, I'm not playing with you! Look at it! / Patricia Smith -- Ode to joy / Victoria Chang -- My own project 2025 / Maggie Smith-- Trans as freedom: an offering / Chase Strangio -- An education / Eula Biss -- PERFORMANCE SCORES FOR THE ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS OF WORLDS / Sam Sax -- Raising the resistance / Aubrey Hirsch -- Watching the valley oaks while waiting to become braver / Ada Limon -- Resisting despair amidst know-your-place aggression / Koritha Mitchell -- Look ahead, look back / Jason Bryan Silverstein -- Non-citizen / Jill Damatac -- Noni, are you home? / Aruni Kashyap -- And. But. Ugh. Yet. Y'all. Mmm. Yes. / Kiese Laymon -- My project 2025 / Saeed Jones -- Snail's place: the art of cripping time / Alice Wong -- For hope / Abi Maxwell -- Good pain! / Tiana Clark -- Fix up, look sharp / Marlon James -- The right question / Ashley C. Ford -- Portrait of myself as a boat / Kay Jones -- Return to Ghazal / Hala Alyan -- Time of war / Danez Smith -- You are here / Mira Jacob -- Weathered hands / Imani Perry -- Puzzle / Randall Mann