So I've been thinking about all the things that we can do now that the women's march is done and Trump is in charge, and the first things I thought were the little things. The small everyday things we can all do that can add up to making those around us feel safer.
(I amwriting this as a white person, and so man of these tips are important for white people to acknowledge their privilege and use it for the most good we can.)
Standing up against microaggressions you hear/overhear. This includes jokes or comments regarding all the -phobias and -isms (homophobia, transphobia, sexism, racism etc.), don't let them slide. Help to educate your friends– especially if you're a person with a lot of privilege (especially a white person like myself).
Listening to the people who need a voice, especially at St. Olaf: the people of color, LGBTQIAP+ students, victims of sexual assault. To do this we need to give them a platform to speak like the rallies that have been in Bunt. (On this line, keep your feminism intersectional.)
Cut off all relationships with sexual predators - which seems pretty self-explanatory but there are a lot of men on campus that still have friends, but they’re predators.
We need to stay active with the black lives matter movement (x) - go to those protests too. Fight for justice among people of colour.
Continue to fight for Flint (x) and Native Americans and DAPL (x) and things that have been ongoing but need more help now that trump is in power.
Refute Trump’s lies on Facebook or on a social media platform that you have a lot of power and following on. Even if you don't have a lot of following or facebook friends, the truth NEEDS to be spread.
Also, I don’t know if it’s possible for you to get training now, but I trained in the fall to be an abortion clinic escort, to walk people into clinics and act as a buffer between them and the anti’s that plant themselves outside. If you can do this, or anything similar to this, please do.
If you are white, acknowledge your privilege. You cannot be an effective activist if you do not acknowledge it. This facebook graphic lays out some things we need to remember in this time.
Read articles. Stay up to date. Here 5 things "The Independent" suggests that you can do now.
Donate. In above sections, there are links that you can donate at when you click on each '(x)', however you can click here to donate to bail funds of D.C. protestors, here to donate to Planned Parenthood. Find your own causes to donate to!
Oh, and punch a Nazi if you can.
Remember, stay intersectional, stay positive, keep fighting.
