The election of Donald Trump, a man who has openly discriminated against Muslims, women, people of color, disabled people, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and many others, has left millions of marginalized people afraid for their rights and even their lives. Our country is more divided than ever, and many Americans opposing the upcoming Trump administration are looking to take decisive action to protect their friends and countrymen in this uncertain time.
The time for grieving is coming to a close. It’s time to take action. Here are some ways to get started:
1. If you can, donate time and/or money to organizations that protect the rights of minorities and marginalized groups that Trump has threatened. (Full list here.)
Women: Planned Parenthood gets the most press, but it’s not the only organization that’s looking out for women. The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest women’s rights group in the country. They are dedicated to intersectional feminist issues like achieving economic justice for women, protecting healthcare rights, and fighting for equal pay. NOW has chapters open in every state; check out this list to see if there’s an office open near you where you can volunteer.
Undocumented Immigrants: The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHILRA) has been fighting for the rights of undocumented immigrants in California since a piece of 1996 legislation made undocumented work illegal.
African Americans: Volunteer or donate to Campaign Zero, an organization looking to find solutions to police violence in America.
Muslims: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is the largest Muslim educational organization in the USA. Their mission is to combat destructive myths about Islam and to support Muslim Americans.
The Disabled: The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) protects the rights of disabled Americans and helps to influence public policy that values disability rights.
LGBTQIA: The Trevor Project makes it their mission to help LGBTQIA youth in crisis.
Native Americans: The Native Americans Rights Fund needs help now more than ever with the pipeline crisis in North Dakota.
2. Protest.
Whether your white Republican uncle on Facebook agrees or not, you have the right to protest this situation. I’m not going to waste time explaining why protests are, and have always been, valuable to American political discourse, except to say that protests have been affecting and changing the course of history since our country’s inception — that’s why the right to assemble is recognized in our very first Constitutional amendment. Those who would seek to discourage you from speaking out against this administration are likely those that would not be negatively affected by it.
Nothing about this administration so far is normal. Do not let it become normal. Do not stop being disgusted and ashamed of this. Do not stop saying no. Do not stop protesting.
3. Support investigative journalism.
Like it or not, social media has become an unstoppable force of unreliable information. Spreading false information and misleading rumors about important issues nowadays is as easy as typing 140 characters. In the coming years, we will need to rely on trustworthy news sources as much as possible. Donate to NPR and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (the team who exposed the Panama Papers). Support your local newspaper. Don’t believe everything you see. Question everything you hear. Don’t stop asking questions.
4. Call your representatives.
This is a big one. Don't forget that your Congresspeople work for you. Tweets, Facebook comments, and even handwritten letters are not as effective as a direct phone call. Use this website to find your local Congresspeople and call their offices. Call multiple times a week. Tell them that you expect them to make a meaningful stand against the incompetent people and racist white supremacists that Trump is trying to appoint to his cabinet. Tell them that you expect them to stand up to this administration at every turn. Hateful rhetoric and divisive policies will not be tolerated.
These are only four options available to you as a young American looking to get involved. More long term solutions include remaining an active listener to marginalized communities and responding to their evolving needs. It’s also important to stay updated on important issues — consider buying a subscription to a newspaper; news found on social media is becoming less and less reliable. And if you’re really serious about effecting change, consider running for office yourself. Both parties in our country need a serious overhaul. We are going to need new leadership; don’t back down from an opportunity to represent your community.
Now isn’t the time to run away to Canada. It’s time to dig in our heels and fight to get our country back.
