There was originally a regular comic update scheduled for Thursday, but given what is happening in the United States, we realized it was time for a different message and decided to post this today.

The world is a very scary place right now, especially if you’re a person of color. Especially if you’re LGBTQIA. Especially if you’re an immigrant or even have a last name that makes it sound like you are. Especially if you are a woman. Especially if you’re Muslim. Especially if you are all of these things or even none of them. Choices were made in the United States that will affect the very fabric of how the nation is woven.

Justin McElroy tweeted, “I’m gonna wake up and keep trying to do good and so are you and nobody gets to vote on that.” And that is what we have to do. Together, we are strong. We are kind. We’re going to spread love by telling as many stories with a diverse cast as we can. We will support each other. We will offer a safe space for our readers.

The message of Namesake is that you control your destiny. You will be the one to write your story. No one else has that power other than you, no matter what they say.

You have a strong, beautiful voice. Do not stop speaking.

We will not go quietly in the night.

That is not what we do.