Since the election and inauguration of our new president, Donald Trump, there have been multiple protests in nearly every major city. While these protests are a great way to get your voice heard and get involved, they need to be backed up by solid action. Here are some ways you can do the dirty work, be politically involved, and walk the talk. Anyone can do it.
1. Contact your representatives
Your senators and representatives in Washington are obligated to listen to their constituents if they want to get re-elected. If you are 18 or older, make sure to let them know you are a voter. Contact them about a specific issue, and how you want them to respond. You can call them or e-mail them, but it has been said that handwritten letters are the most effective.
You can find contact info for your representatives here
You can find contact info for you senators here
You can also attend your representatives' town hall meetings when they are in your area.
2. Vote
The most obvious way to get politically involved is to vote! Still, the United States has one of the most abysmal voting turnout of any democracy in the world. It's important to not just vote every four years for a president, but to vote for your representatives in Congress when they are up for reelection as well. Also, pay attention to your local and state elections.
3. Donate
If you have the funds to do so, you can donate to organizations or campaigns you support. Even small amounts can help.
Planned Parenthood: https://secure.ppaction.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2...
ACLU: https://action.aclu.org/secure/protect-peoples-rig...
NAACP: https://donate.naacp.org/page/contribute/make-a-co...
4. Get informed and inform others
It's important to make sure you are armed with real facts and information before acting on issues. You want your stances to be supported by hard evidence, so if people ask you about them, you can explain why you believe what you do. You can also use the knowledge you gain to inform others. Even just starting conversations with your peers about current events or sharing credible articles can help spread knowledge and keep people informed. In the world of alternative facts, it's important to find the real ones.
Some quality sources include:
CSPAN
The Washington Post
Politifact
5. Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to contribute to a cause or campaign because it is extremely helpful and anyone can do it. Find an issue that you are passionate about, find a way to make a difference, and spend a little bit of time taking that action. If you're passionate about environmental issues, you can clean up trash. If you are passionate about women's issues, you can volunteer at Planned Parenthood or a women's center. If you want to help a certain campaign, you can canvass your neighborhoods and inform others of that candidate.
There are so many ways to make a little difference, even in today's political climate. If you have a little bit of time, find a way to get involved.
