This past week has been highly eventful, to say the least. Donald Trump has been president for just about ten days, and he has already signed twelve executive orders. Some people are happy about this. They feel that he is being an effective leader and fulfilling the promises he made during his campaign. Others, however, are having difficulty accepting this new era of nigh absolute presidential power. They are concerned for the environment, for the safety of refugees, the economy, and the very earth upon which we live. If this describes you, you’re probably feeling angry, indignant, and not a little helpless. It might feel like there’s nothing you can do to enact any sort of change and in a way, there isn’t. But this doesn’t have to stop you from fighting for what you believe in. Here are five things you can do to reverse what Trump is doing, as much as possible.
1. Donate anything you can
As federal funding on hundreds of projects is cut back, there are a lot of charitable organizations which are going to be in need. They will lack funds, volunteers, and supplies. Since the government seems to be turning away from those in need, like refugees or those in need of healthcare, it is the responsibility of the people to step into their place. Not everyone can donate money, but money isn’t all these charities need. Find an organization which does good work in your community or the nation and donate whatever you can, be it time, old clothes, or non-perishable food items. We have to be the ones to create change.
2. Do your part for the environment
Many people are upset about Trump’s decision to move ahead with the construction of the Dakota Access and Keystone pipelines, and there is also concern about his move to restrict communication between the science community and the wider population. Frankly, it seems as if the Trump administration and the environment are on opposing sides. Therefore, it is all the more important for every individual to do their part in saving our planet. Whether it’s taking the bus or biking to work, recycling more or investing in reusable energy, every person can do something to help. Whether you believe in climate change or not, it’s happening. And it’s our responsibility to do whatever we can to stop it, not just for our sakes but for the sake of generations to come.
3. Build community
As this election has shown, the American people are extremely divided. Political disputes have turned neighbor against neighbor, destroyed friendships, and even split apart families. I understand that when someone insults or contradicts a belief that you hold, it can feel like an attack on your character. Many people have the beliefs they do because of very personal reasons, and to discredit someone’s beliefs can be the equivalent of brushing aside terrible experiences they’ve had. But as I’ve said in a previous article, we can’t let ignorance and misunderstanding tear us apart. We’ve allowed our stubbornness to rend the country down the middle, and now more than ever we need unity. A focus on building a strong community in the smallest corners of the world can lead to change on a widespread scale. We need to reunite as a nation for the good of the poor, the lonely, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
4. Protest
Freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are two of the founding principles of our country. There have already been gatherings of thousands of people in protest across the country, from the eve of the election to the Women’s Marches to the March for Life. Peaceful protests have worked in the past, and they will continue to work in the future. In order to be effective, though, protesters must be persistent and calm. Protests can so easily become riots, which only serve to bring a bad name to the cause and injure innocent people. Looting is not protesting, burning down buildings is not protesting. Sit-ins, marches, boycotts, these have been shown time and again to be effective. If you really want to see change in big business, hit them in the wallet.
These may seem like merely small actions. It is tempting to want to spend all of your time ranting on the Internet. But we have seen time and again throughout history that small actions, not superheroes, are most effective in creating change. If every person makes but one small change in their lives, together we can counteract all forces of evil.
