With the recent inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump's actions, words, and cabinet appointees have sparked a lot of controversy and conversation.
Many independent and grassroots groups have protested many of Trump's executive orders, proclamations, and memorandums. Protesters have flocked to various organizations, filling multiple social media feeds with heart-wrenching testimonies, hard-hitting facts, and urgent pleas to sign petitions and call state and national government representatives.
While I was browsing through social media the other day, I saw that one of my friends had shared an article on how to contact state senators and ask them to oppose the nomination of Betsy Devos for Secretary of Public Education. Without much thought, I liked the article and shared it to my wall to urge them to call their state senators, too. I didn't pick up the phone. I didn't write an email. I didn't take the five minutes or so it would have taken to actually take action. I passively shared my opinion and moved on.
It's not enough to just 'like' activists and their posts on social media. Real change requires real action. Our state and national legislatures and representatives are not going to listen to their constituents unless we actually tell them how we feel.
And many of these protest organizations tell you not only exactly how to contact your representative, but also what to say. For example, Mpower Change, a grassroots organization specifically seeking Muslim rights through activism but also rights for all that transcend global communities, gives you a script of what to say when you either talk to your representative or leave a voice message. Echo Through the Fog guides folks through a funny and honest comic about how to contact your representatives if you struggle with social anxiety.
There are resources out there. There are resources to inspire change. There are resources to create change- but only if you take the initiative to use them.
It's not enough to just 'like' activists and their posts on social media. Now is the time for our voices to be heard- rise up and take action for what you believe in!
