First of all, welcome! You likely went to the march, are paying more attention to politics since DT was elected, or are simply fed up with people who are protected by law getting treated like shit. So let me welcome you! :) Now, you may be hearing people complain that you haven't shown up til now, but that's for another post and I think it's great you're here NOW. Better late than never! (Which is why I'm habitually late to every event...just ask my frenz....) So, let's get back to topic and talk about 4 steps to get you headed in the right direction.
(1) Reflect on what you feel--is it angry or guilty or empowered or like you want to stomp on an old white dude's throat because he told you what to do with your body for the 1000th time? Or maybe you're the son or daughter of immigrants! Or maybe your best work friend is your first friend of color and they just told you they were afraid to leave their house and you were shocked. Whatever it is! Reflect on the moments that brought you here. And now, I encourage you to sit with that icky feeling and to work through it on your own or with fellow newcomers. And the next step is key!
(2) If you listen to, read about, and, most importantly, BELIEVE the experiences of people you want to help, you will learn about how THEY have asked for people like you to step up. This is critical that you don't just willy-nilly go off and do whatever you like. There may be undertones of ignorance in your plans, so you should read up on what people most affected are saying is the best move forward!
(3) I know you want to get out there and get your hands dirty but hold off just one second! Seek out and talk about it with someone who looks like you. (If you want to pounce into action, please follow the lead of an experienced organizer in your area of advocacy.) Hear me out! If you don't have people in your immediate friends or family, seek out groups online who seem to hold similar experiences and values. This means white people talk to fellow white allies who are a little further along in understanding anti-racism work. Women speak with feminist women, men with feminist men, cis people (people born with genitalia/anatomy that matches their gender) with cis people who support trans rights, heterosexual with heterosexuals who support LGBTQ* rights, Christian with Christians who welcome other religions , etc. Do not burden people who feel oppression by asking them to teach you about their oppression--there's a whole world called "The Internet" for that. Do your research!
(4) Lastly, GET MOVING! DO WHAT YOU CAN. Time's a wastin! Get a lil uncomfortable. Remember that your discomfort is less than what others are suffering, so push yourself. If you don't want to start with a march? Afraid to jump in that deep? Okay! Here's 26 other things you can do to support your community in these times! Please pass and share with others! It's important we use what we have for those who who have not. Thanks for standing with us!
Love and solidarity,
Kerry
(Edit)
PS If you're interested in some other actions, here's a bunch at varying engagement levels:
- 10 Actions in 100 Days, organized by the #womensmarchonwashington organizers. In fact, there's local groups getting together to carry these out, like this one in Seattle that's grown to 10 locations!
- Weekly Actions to Resist Trump say "We provide strategic, urgent actions you can take every week to stand up to Trump and protect our democracy, our values and our friends and neighbors."
- Daily Action Against Trump, sign up to receive texts with instructions for RESISTING EXTREMISM IN AMERICA, ONE PHONE CALL AT A TIME.
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