Lashing Our Boats Together: Messaging Bravely in Rough Waters

There are moments in this work when the words feel like they’re disappearing right out from under us.

Not because the mission has changed. Not because our commitment has wavered. But because the political and cultural winds have shifted in a way that makes even naming our work feel dangerous.

In last week’s UnTangled episode, I sat down with Anna Hetzel (they/them), co-worker-owner of Strange Birds, a messaging agency that works with people who are ready to care loudly. And this conversation? It brought me back to the core of why we do this work, and what it looks like to keep showing up, even when the waters are rough.

Finding Your Voice When Words Are Weaponized

We talked about what it means to stay visible right now. About how scary that can feel when words like “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion” are being targeted—literally banned in some cases. For many nonprofits, especially those doing work with immigrants, LGBTQ+ youth, women, Black and Brown communities, staying visible feels like walking around with a bullseye on your back.

And yet silence is not an option. Our communities need to hear from us. The people we serve need to know we haven’t gone anywhere.

So how do we speak when the words themselves feel weaponized?

We get more specific. We get clearer. We tell people exactly what we do.

“This is your organization’s opportunity to define what equity looks like for your specific mission… because the more specific you get, the more you’re going to connect with people who need to hear what you’re saying.” — Anna Hetzel

This is about dropping the abstract language that can feel like a shield and replacing it with something more honest. Something that actually describes the transformation we’re trying to create. It’s not about watering anything down. It’s about making the work undeniable.

Clarity Is a Survival Strategy

In truth, clarity may be what allows your mission to weather the storm.

And the more specific we are—not just about what we believe, but about what we do—the more our communities will understand our value.

It’s the difference between saying, “we believe in inclusion,” and saying, “our programs are now offered in five languages so more people can participate.” That kind of clarity? It’s not about dumbing anything down. It’s about building trust. It’s about helping people see the impact beyond the ideals.

“You’re not doing a disservice to your mission by not using specific words. In fact, you’re keeping your mission alive in a time that is absolutely fricking terrifying. And it’s your job to keep your mission alive because your community needs you now more than ever.” — Anna Hetzel

There’s grief in that, yes, but there’s also power. Rewriting how we talk about our work doesn’t mean we’re abandoning it. It means we’re keeping it breathing. We’re keeping it funded. We’re keeping it moving. And that’s brave.

We Are Not Meant to Navigate This Alone

We also spent time on something I keep coming back to: how isolated this work can feel right now. Not like we’re swimming upstream. But like we’re swimming alone. In open water. With wave after wave crashing over us. Just trying to stay afloat. Just trying to keep our people afloat.

But we are not in this alone. Anna reminded me of that, too.

“Organizations have the power to be boats in a way that individuals cannot. So, it is our job as organizations to stand up, to hold firm, to carry the load. That’s our job.” — Anna Hetzel

And here’s the hard but liberating truth: your boat doesn’t have to carry everyone. In fact, trying to help everyone can make your work less effective, more exhausting, and harder to sustain.

The more focused you are on who you serve, how you help, and what you do best, the more powerful your work becomes. And the better we all get at referring, collaborating, and passing the baton when needed. That’s how we build a strong flotilla—not by stretching ourselves thin, but by trusting the collective.

Stay Loud. Stay Afloat. Lash the Boats.

Some organizations, especially those at the sharpest end of this political moment, may feel the instinct to go fully underground. But Anna offered a reminder: you don’t have to scream your values from the rooftop to stay true to them.

“Be maliciously compliant so that you can be a boat for people.” — Anna Hetzel

Do the minimum you need to do to stay safe, stay legal, stay funded. But don’t disappear. Don’t go silent. Don’t let fear take your voice. The people you serve are still out there, and they need to know you are, too.

We’re not meant to navigate any of this alone. And we don’t have to. Each of us has a lane. Each of us has a boat. And when we lash them together, we build something stronger than any storm we’re facing.

The seas are rough. But the boats are out there. Let’s lash them together.

Watch the full UnTangled episode with Anna Hetzel:

If you want to learn more about how to craft politically resilient messaging, check this guide by Strange Birds.

If you are ready to take your well-crafted content and ensure it reaches the right people at the right time, let’s talk.