When you’re ready, an encouragement/call to action:

[lilac05]

I know everyone needs time to be angry and grieve what happened last night, and that length of time will be different for everyone. Take what time you need and then come back if/when you’re ready.

In 2016, I sobbed myself to sleep. Last night, something different settled in me. A desire to channel all of that negative energy into something positive. If Harris had won, a lot of things would have just gotten better just because she was in charge. Now that’s obviously not going to be the case. I have this burning desire to “be the change.” My mental health cannot afford for me to sit around and be anxious and devastated (though I’m definitely feeling that, too).

We’ve been in far worse places as a country, and ordinary people like you and me have been instrumental in getting us on a better path. We can do it again. I’m inspired by a group in Milwaukee that organized after a Trump win in 2016 and took that energy to create an incredible organization that serves the unhoused in the community. I have no idea yet what it’ll be, but I’m just looking to channel all of this anger and grief into something good.

“I want you to know that for each of us, there will come a moment when the character you have spent your life cultivating will be called upon.
And when that moment comes, I hope you'll rise to it.” -Sharon McMahon

[wawa]

I think the hardest part is picking a direction. You can't fix everything, or be everywhere, so each of us just has to choose what they can do and do that.

[lilac05]

Nov 6, 2024 8:50:04 GMT -5 wawa said:

I think the hardest part is picking a direction. You can't fix everything, or be everywhere, so each of us just has to choose what they can do and do that.

Absolutely. That’s what kept me up. Yes, I want and need to do something…but WHAT? There’s so much.

But another Sharon McMahon quote that I come back to is “Do for one what you wish you could do for all.” We can’t be everything to everyone…but we can be something to someone.

[circa1978]

It should be illegal to get your period today with an IUD at the age of 46. Let's work on making that happen.

In reality, we need a younger, stronger and better Democratic party. The next candidate needs to be found now, today.

[wawa]

Nov 6, 2024 10:02:38 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Nov 6, 2024 8:50:04 GMT -5 wawa said:

I think the hardest part is picking a direction. You can't fix everything, or be everywhere, so each of us just has to choose what they can do and do that.

Absolutely. That’s what kept me up. Yes, I want and need to do something…but WHAT? There’s so much.

But another Sharon McMahon quote that I come back to is “Do for one what you wish you could do for all.” We can’t be everything to everyone…but we can be something to someone.

@@ related thoughts

I'm leaning toward the following for myself

Longer term, bigger picture - midterm elections.  There will be hopefully flippable races not far from me (PA, VA).  Get involved supporting once we're closer and we can see the lay of the land.  Putting the brakes on the full GOP control is going to be so vital.  I'd love to be involved in person somehow, but not sure what that looks like.  Writing postcards and texting is not a good match for my skills tho.
Longer term, local - support local races for BOE.  Our county council is reliably non-crazy, but the BOE has started to be a bit of a battleground and the races are TIGHT.
Short term, bigger picture - regular donations to abortion funds

And then I need to think about where I can focus some time an energy on a local org in a concrete way.  I have a few in mind.  trying to decide between more immediate human support with more warm fuzzies (like volunteering at our local crisis support center), or focusing on my biggest personal soapbox topic in more policy/lobbying way (climate change).

[jamaicam]

Please subscribe to the Guardian if you are looking to support the independent media...

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/06/how-the-guardian-will-stand-up-to-four-more-years-of-donald-trump

[lilac05]

wawa, you might like the books Democracy in Retrograde and/or A Return to Common Sense to find some things that are a better fit for you than texting and postcards.

For today, I met with some people about being on a board for something in the city that I really care about. And I’m texting/calling as many friends as I can to check in on them.

[carmenere]

I am going to do everything I possibly can to secure funding for my institution’s program for Dreamers. I am also going to advocate and educate my colleagues and neighbors about the realities of immigration. As someone who successfully deprogrammed from being deep down the GOP rabbit hole, I believe these conversations make a difference.

And I’m going to scale back some of my other commitments so that I have bandwidth to be active in 2025 and 2026 election efforts. I don’t know what that will look like yet but I plan to get together with several friends in the community organizing space.

It’s okay to not know exactly what you’ll do, what matters is committing to doing something. And again, I really believe that everyday advocacy makes a difference as well.

[ellipses84]

Literally thinking about switching careers at 45 to fight the good fight. Any suggestions?

I’d make a good lawyer, I like data, I have project management, creative and graphic experience. I’d like it to pay well (long shot, haha), I’m willing to go back for an advanced degree as long as FAFSA is still around. I think I’d be most passionate about something in the legal/ political/ environmental realm for the public good. I’m definitely more of an introvert who can cosplay as an extrovert as needed and would prefer a sole contributor/ small team rather than managing a large team or a public role though.

[audette]

Being a foreign national, my ability to impact the political situation is slim. But I can impact individuals.

This morning, I spent some time helping a friend with their passport renewal, so she can maintain her documentation. Small, yup, but a concrete step.

[ellipses84]

Jon Lovett from Pod Save America called his Dad in FL and convinced him to vote against Rick Scott, as a compromise, but couldn’t convince him not to vote for 🍊. He said he was ok with that since he didn’t think FL would go blue for President anyway. He’d already convinced his mom to vote for Kamala. Another guy I follow on social media is black and gay, and was talking about how he made the decision to reconcile with his parents who are black 🍊 voters. I saw someone else who convinced someone to vote for Kamala even though they still voted for Cruz in TX. Obviously, everyone has to do what is best for them and I’m more in the “block them” camp, but it’s an interesting approach. I guess if you are willing there might be some benefit to open dialogue as long as they are generally loving people who are willing to consider compromise and not die hard MAGA. Can you imagine being a famous Dem commentator who has convinced so many people and not even being able to convince your dad how awful he is?!

ETA: maybe I got that backwards and Jon’s dad voted for Rick and not 🍊this time. I’m too tired to remember…

[ellipses84]

I mentioned in the other thread, a lot of young women are embracing the 4b movement from South Korea which has been expanded to 7b and there’s some ways you can be an ally even if you are in a committed relationship with a man, particularly as it relates to the extra b’s that have been added.

The 4b movement started in protest of the country's rampant misogyny around 2019 and those against the movement have claimed that it’s the cause behind the low birth rate in South Korea. Over 150 schools had to close this year due to no incoming 1st graders.

The 4bs are:
no sex with men (bisekseu),
no giving birth (bichulsan),
no dating men (biyeonae), and
no marriage with men (bihon)

Added bs - Not quite sure on the #ing since I summarized this from a video.

5b (b4b)
Be there for 4b women, so they so don’t feel like they need to get in a relationship with a man. This could be financial, since discrimination against females has financial impacts. Be a roommate, be a mentor at work, or support them at work to break a glass ceiling and get a promotion.

5b
Don’t support companies that charge a pink tax for products or have mysoginistic practices. Support companies with female executives.

6b
Don’t give emotional labor to men. Especially highly toxic men. Not even to be polite. Not even on social media posts. Not even to trolls. Delete or block should be the most effort you put in.

The 7b movement is all of the above.

[sonrisa]

I know where I need to focus. I know my direction. I also know I’ll mostly be standing alone.

There will be too many other things going wrong and other issues will draw everyone’s energy. That is what happened last time. One thing would flare up and catch national attention. But before people could really mobilize, the next issue would come and draw most people away. just hope they survive.

[penguingineer]

I understand the feeling of not knowing which way to go.

I luckily remembered that I had been invited by a nonpartisan group dedicated to “democracy in the heartland” to an event called “what’s next?” My friend and I are going to attend and hopefully find inspiration and direction.

I do know that when we attempt to get abortion on the ballot again in Arkansas, I will volunteer again. While we weren’t successful this time, it was incredibly empowering. I also have an acquaintance inquiring how to join up, which is so heartening.

That’s the plan for today.

[sillygoosegirl]

I feel like I still need to understand what is going on better. I'm almost done listening to "The Righteous Mind", which gets into a lot of details about why conservatives are continually managing to get through to so many voters in spite of having policies that seem against many of their constituent's best interests, and being so obviously flawed in so many ways. It's been filling me with a sense of foreboding about this election for weeks already, because even though it was published in 2012, it could hardly have predicted Trump better.

Once I finish that, I feel like I need to listen to "The Sum Of Us" again. I feel like there's something just under the surface I can't quite put into words, but I'm pretty she does put it into words really really well.

I had a conversation with a neighbor today, about a conversation she had this morning with a friend from Florida. Her friend, whom she assured me was intelligent and educated, voted for Trump even though she doesn't like his position on reproductive rights or race, because she thought he was the better candidate for... clean food and water. What the actual fuck? It's tempting to just say she's an idiot and she's gonna get just what she deserves when Trump guts the FDA and every other good thing our government does, which is definitely where I was this morning. But I can't shake the question, what does this tell us about what we are doing wrong in our messaging? How do we get through to people like this to inform them that there was a candidate running who not only had a better track record on racism and misogyny (which she did already know), BUT ALSO would be much better aligned with her on issues like safe food and water, which somehow she didn't know. It has me thinking, are we letting our righteous indignation at these people, for not seeing these issues as deal-breaker, prevent us from connecting with those people and potentially bringing them over our side? Is our righteous indignation at these people worth losing the White House over? I don't know if my neighbor's friend's mind might have been changed enough to vote differently if this conversation had happened before, and I certainly don't know how many voters like her are out there. But I am beginning to think we may be shooting ourselves in the foot with our liberal identity politics, and inadvertently hobbling our attempts at progress in the process. I have no delusions that I'm ever going to be much of an effective communicator, but I want my one little voice in the echo chamber, and IRL, to be as effective as possible. It feels like such a small and ineffectual thing, compared with the deluge of misinformation, but it's where I'm going to start.

I think I may need to re-read "Don't Even Think About It" soon too. That one is about communicating about climate change, among other things. A real downer though, IIRC.

@@@ I think also I need to read some of these books with my kid, as she has so many questions that I struggle to answer, but it's definitely time for her to know more about all this. We're studying the 1900s this year in history, so "The Sum Of Us" will be a great addition. @@@

[Velar Fricative]

Start local. I am sure lilac05’s work in IA should not be the same as the work I can do in NY. I think it was @patsybaloney who said we need a 50-state approach and I agree. If that means 50 ways to push even the reddest states a tad more blue, cool.

But the work has to start now or very soon to educate people on things like what actually impacts the economy, and it needs to happen informally through conversation. It will be tough because our media is so siloed, but social media will be key. Sometimes we have to lie with dogs and all. This includes social media used more often by immigrant groups in other languages; who do you think is influencing those platforms right now?

The one thing we might have going for us, we can’t control - if Rs take control of the House too, and if policies implemented prove unpopular or magically don’t make inflation disappear, then we leverage the blame game successfully, beyond our own media silos. I know we feel like we are above that, but clearly it worked for the GOP. If their policies are successful or people feel good vibes as they did during his first term, then there is obviously more work to do.

[lilac05]

sillygoosegirl, you make a lot of good points.

@emilyinyourphone has talked a lot about the health to right wing pipeline this election cycle. We see that it’s nonsense, but they’ve been told differently…and they believe it. I think there’s a fundamental difference that for many of these people “no regulations” means more people will do the right thing on their own, but historically, that’s not how it works.

IMO, The right also does a better job at accepting anyone into their tent. If you’re willing to vote for their party, there’s a place for you under the tent. While Democrats are much more welcoming of individuals of different races, genders, etc., they’re less welcoming of different ideologies. If you agree with 90% of the platform, but disagree with 10%, you’re less likely to be welcomed. You’re either all in…or you’re out. And that’s not a winning strategy.

When I’m finished with the books I’m currently reading, my next step is to read Democracy in Retrograde.

[winemaker06]

Nov 6, 2024 11:31:03 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

Literally thinking about switching careers at 45 to fight the good fight. Any suggestions?

I’d make a good lawyer, I like data, I have project management, creative and graphic experience. I’d like it to pay well (long shot, haha), I’m willing to go back for an advanced degree as long as FAFSA is still around. I think I’d be most passionate about something in the legal/ political/ environmental realm for the public good. I’m definitely more of an introvert who can cosplay as an extrovert as needed and would prefer a sole contributor/ small team rather than managing a large team or a public role though.

I feel like you're describing me, just trade creative experience with IT! I have NO idea what else I would do, but have been told I'd be a good lawyer more than once. But changing careers sounds absolutely terrifying also.

[underwaterrhymes]

There is YouTube livestream here right now on mobilization:

mobilize.us/s/DHTr7r

[AJL]

Please, please, PLEASE get involved at your municipal, county, and state levels. Big national movements are great and all, but the real change starts in your own back yard. 

Attend city council meetings. Participate in local coalitions, task forces, and boards related to issues that are important to you. For example, I have been a public education advocate and activist for over 15 years. I have been involved in lobbying for change at the district and state levels. I also participate on our city's food waste prevention board. These, among other important issues, are what makes change in the long run.

If you live in or near your state's capitol city, start keeping up with your state's legislation and how you can get involved in advocating for change that is important to you. When your state's legislation is in session, find out what bills are being introduced, being brought into committee, what may be accepting public testimony, etc. SPEAK TO YOUR STATE LEVEL LEGISLATORS. Honestly, I'm a PITA to the legislators that are on the education committee. I speak mostly with those legislators who are in opposition to what I believe is best for education in my state. They're the ones to focus on. If being that directly involved isn't your thing, just being knowledgeable about the kinds of laws your state is passing and educating others to call their reps/senators in support or against whatever it is your lobbying on is really powerful.

Tend to the garden you can reach. 

[wanderingback]

Nov 7, 2024 1:22:33 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

I know where I need to focus. I know my direction. I also know I’ll mostly be standing alone.

There will be too many other things going wrong and other issues will draw everyone’s energy. That is what happened last time. One thing would flare up and catch national attention. But before people could really mobilize, the next issue would come and draw most people away. just hope they survive.

Do you mind sharing your direction? I don’t think you’ll be standing alone. We can help you find community.

[AJL]

Nov 6, 2024 11:31:03 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

Literally thinking about switching careers at 45 to fight the good fight. Any suggestions?

I’d make a good lawyer, I like data, I have project management, creative and graphic experience. I’d like it to pay well (long shot, haha), I’m willing to go back for an advanced degree as long as FAFSA is still around. I think I’d be most passionate about something in the legal/ political/ environmental realm for the public good. I’m definitely more of an introvert who can cosplay as an extrovert as needed and would prefer a sole contributor/ small team rather than managing a large team or a public role though.

You likely already have the skills you need to be effective in being a change agent. Skills like critical thinking, diversified knowledge, relationship building, effective communication, adaptability, problem solving, resource access and management, flexibility, networking, etc. 

You likely would make a great lawyer, but do you have three years and $151,000+ to spend on that right now? You could get a Masters of Public Affairs are a public university for around $30,000. But really, you don't necessarily need another degree. Like I said, you probably have all the skills you need already. 

[wawa]

Nov 7, 2024 21:51:16 GMT -5 AJL said:

Please, please, PLEASE get involved at your municipal, county, and state levels. Big national movements are great and all, but the real change starts in your own back yard. 

Attend city council meetings. Participate in local coalitions, task forces, and boards related to issues that are important to you. For example, I have been a public education advocate and activist for over 15 years. I have been involved in lobbying for change at the district and state levels. I also participate on our city's food waste prevention board. These, among other important issues, are what makes change in the long run.

If you live in or near your state's capitol city, start keeping up with your state's legislation and how you can get involved in advocating for change that is important to you. When your state's legislation is in session, find out what bills are being introduced, being brought into committee, what may be accepting public testimony, etc. SPEAK TO YOUR STATE LEVEL LEGISLATORS. Honestly, I'm a PITA to the legislators that are on the education committee. I speak mostly with those legislators who are in opposition to what I believe is best for education in my state. They're the ones to focus on. If being that directly involved isn't your thing, just being knowledgeable about the kinds of laws your state is passing and educating others to call their reps/senators in support or against whatever it is your lobbying on is really powerful.

Tend to the garden you can reach. 

Quoting just to say YES!  This!!  So many many issues are fundamentally grass roots and it doesn't take a huge number of voices to make a difference at the municipal level. 

[stuffandthings]

I keep seeing people with the blue bracelets and the "I'm a safe person" stickers and the reading lists and I just...I can't do that anymore. It's not enough. I will stay active in electoral politics, obviously, but I've been going nonstop since 2016 and this is where it has led. I'm ready to disrupt some shit. I'm in my militant era.

[heliocentric]

I don’t post much, but I read this and thought it might be relevant to the conversation.
wagingnonviolence.org/2024/11/10-things-to-do-if-trump-wins/

[ellipses84]

Nov 7, 2024 22:02:14 GMT -5 AJL said:

Nov 6, 2024 11:31:03 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

Literally thinking about switching careers at 45 to fight the good fight. Any suggestions?

I’d make a good lawyer, I like data, I have project management, creative and graphic experience. I’d like it to pay well (long shot, haha), I’m willing to go back for an advanced degree as long as FAFSA is still around. I think I’d be most passionate about something in the legal/ political/ environmental realm for the public good. I’m definitely more of an introvert who can cosplay as an extrovert as needed and would prefer a sole contributor/ small team rather than managing a large team or a public role though.

You likely already have the skills you need to be effective in being a change agent. Skills like critical thinking, diversified knowledge, relationship building, effective communication, adaptability, problem solving, resource access and management, flexibility, networking, etc. 

You likely would make a great lawyer, but do you have three years and $151,000+ to spend on that right now? You could get a Masters of Public Affairs are a public university for around $30,000. But really, you don't necessarily need another degree. Like I said, you probably have all the skills you need already. 

Yeah, the only reason I’m thinking another degree is because a have a very specific Bachelor degree that tends to lead to one specific career but it could probably pair well with public policy, and I’m consulting part-time so I could go to school and work at the same time.

[DotAndBuzz]

I'm already registered with my state's healthcare volunteer/emergency network. Helped with vaccinations during Covid. May look into expanding on that, or looking or part time volunteering in public health.

@@@@

Also may go in more regularly to a small organization that helps unhoused/dislocated families and women with children set up their first home.

I'm pretty good at organizing, but right now I need to keep my hands busy, be a worker bee, and be able to see an immediate, direct impact, with what I do.

I also already looked into improving my Spanish skills at the local community college, because I think that's going to be a really important skill to have if I'm going to potentially be working with marginalized communities.

[wawa]

Nov 8, 2024 12:05:11 GMT -5 heliocentric said:

I don’t post much, but I read this and thought it might be relevant to the conversation.
wagingnonviolence.org/2024/11/10-things-to-do-if-trump-wins/

Thank you for this! 

[picksthemusic]

Nov 8, 2024 15:35:39 GMT -5 DotAndBuzz said:

I'm already registered with my state's healthcare volunteer/emergency network. Helped with vaccinations during Covid. May look into expanding on that, or looking or part time volunteering in public health.

@@@@

Also may go in more regularly to a small organization that helps unhoused/dislocated families and women with children set up their first home.

I'm pretty good at organizing, but right now I need to keep my hands busy, be a worker bee, and be able to see an immediate, direct impact, with what I do.

I also already looked into improving my Spanish skills at the local community college, because I think that's going to be a really important skill to have if I'm going to potentially be working with marginalized communities.

This is a great idea. We regularly work with and use folks signed up with the Medical Reserve Corps.


doh.wa.gov/public-health-provider-resources/emergency-preparedness/waserv

Those of you interested but don't live in WA, you can check if a similar organization exists in your area.

[aurora]

Nov 7, 2024 21:51:16 GMT -5 AJL said:

Please, please, PLEASE get involved at your municipal, county, and state levels. Big national movements are great and all, but the real change starts in your own back yard. 

Attend city council meetings. Participate in local coalitions, task forces, and boards related to issues that are important to you. For example, I have been a public education advocate and activist for over 15 years. I have been involved in lobbying for change at the district and state levels. I also participate on our city's food waste prevention board. These, among other important issues, are what makes change in the long run.

If you live in or near your state's capitol city, start keeping up with your state's legislation and how you can get involved in advocating for change that is important to you. When your state's legislation is in session, find out what bills are being introduced, being brought into committee, what may be accepting public testimony, etc. SPEAK TO YOUR STATE LEVEL LEGISLATORS. Honestly, I'm a PITA to the legislators that are on the education committee. I speak mostly with those legislators who are in opposition to what I believe is best for education in my state. They're the ones to focus on. If being that directly involved isn't your thing, just being knowledgeable about the kinds of laws your state is passing and educating others to call their reps/senators in support or against whatever it is your lobbying on is really powerful.

Tend to the garden you can reach. 

I haven't done this myself (yet) but I want to second that getting involved at local and state levels can absolutely make a difference. My father has been doing so since he retired and when I visited this summer I joined him at an event where the local politicians were absolutely engaging with him in a meaningful way.