On January 20th, 2017, Donald J. Trump officially became the 45th president of the United States.
On January 21st, 2017, it is time to organize, speak up and demand action. If you are worried about the future of the United States under a Trump presidency, here are five things you can do to ensure your rights:
1. Learn who your representatives are and be active in local elections.
Learn who your state senator is, who your senators are, who your congressman/woman is. Vote in elections that determine who represents you so that legislation can be passed that you favor.
2. Do research about policies and issues that mean a lot to you.
Read up on statistics and information. Learn what the true facts are so that you can be more informed.
3. Read as many books as you can about making positive change and what needs to be changed.
Educate yourself. Reading is good for the mind and it's even better when your learning while doing it.
4. Have positive conversations with those who have views that differ from yours.
You can learn a lot from someone who thinks differently than you and you can help someone else learn at the same time.
5. Don't believe everything you see on social media.
It is very important that as we enter a more digital age that we remain alert to what is being presented to us as fact and whether it is truly fact or fiction.
In the words of former President Barack Obama, "we are going to be okay."