The world is at three weeks ATV (After Trump Victory) and the dust is starting to settle, revealing a still wobbly prediction of what the future holds for America and the rest of the world. Already, President-elect Trump has shifted his stance on investigating Hillary Clinton (not going to happen), climate change (there might be some connectivity), Obamacare (some good provisions will stay), and the media (the New York Times has gone from a zero to prize to Trump's eyes). These have been beacons of wary hope in the uncertainty that lies ahead as Trump begins appointing and nominating cabinet members who some find extremely questionable and problematic. For those who were hoping for a different election result, it's easy to fall into the pit of moving-to-Canada-forever-bye-America despair. It's also easy to click "going" for every protest and sit-in that comes across Facebook's newsfeed. As appealing it is to rattle those words off or click away to join the thousands of like-minded individuals ready to protest the presidency, these might not be the best solutions to adapting to the changes our country is about to encounter, partially because there are effective steps to making America a safe, inclusive space as it should be. The following are five steps this Nasty Woman Democrat has gathered as real possible steps to take in the coming weeks and years.
1. Don't be lured into passivity by the temptation of slacktivism or mouse-click activism.
It's okay to say you're interested in the various protests and marches scheduled to happen around the Inauguration, but it's just as important to show up to the protest, share the petition, and spread the word of the cause you're ready to support. Additionally, it doesn't hurt to do some research before agreeing to protest to make sure all of your beliefs are represented. The "Women's March on Washington" for example was a protest I saw on Facebook and several family members and friends told me about, so I decided to click "going." However, after some Internet researching, I read in this blog post by Brittany Oliver that the march overlooks issues of intersectionality. Moral of the story: find a cause that you can 100% back, go forth, and support it.
2. Be well-informed.
Read the papers, watch the news, scroll through the trending topics on Facebook and Twitter to catch the most up-to date information coming in about Trump's road to the Oval Office. With Trump's general unpredictability and the high anxiety surrounding Trump's path to the Oval Office, it's easy to mistake hoax stories for the real deal because anything can be possible such as 11,000 votes for Harambe. Additionally, stay bipartisan with your knowledge. Know both sides to the messy coin that is our political system. The more you know, the easier it will be to adapt and make your own moves in a positive direction.
3. Surround yourself in a positive environment.
Again, it's easy to fall into the abyss of despair and spill a bunch of hate on the election results, Trump, Trump supporters, America, etc. Believe me, I know as I'm just crawling out of that pit. It's not a pretty place; the pit of despair makes the world seem a lot darker than it really might be or conceal paths towards movement. Where can the light come from? Watch The Daily Show's coverage of post-election news or watch November 19's SNL cold open for some laughs. Find positive pages or blogs to follow. A friend added me to the group Pantsuit Nation on Facebook which has been overflowing with positivity and support since the night of the election. Reading members' stories about overcoming prejudices or simply what they have been doing since the election is inspiring. Similarly, having open conversations with friends, teachers, and co-workers in the past weeks have helped with the processing and clarity for thoughts.
4. Stay calm when challenging others.
Now more than ever it's important to speak up against aggressive language you might hear in class, at work, at the bar, or even online. It's equally important to ask questions and challenge statements you find morally questionable. However, above all, it's important for you to stay calm. The second you start stereotyping and combating aggressive language with insults you enter the two-wrongs-don't-make-a-right zone. Stay as calm as you can, and know that speaking up does make a difference, even if the recipient doesn't agree.
5. Check your privilege and be a safe space.
As a white, middle class, straight, female, I know my experience with processing is differs from many others. I was upset and still am nervous for what the future will have in store for women in America, but I realized my reaction was very different from my friends and classmates who do not share the same identity as me. Those reactions and emotional responses are valid, and it's incredibly important to show support for those who are still processing what the next four years can mean. Having privilege puts you in a position to help lift up those around you, to support them through whatever might be coming, and build an inclusive community.
