It was a record-setting, historical moment. With almost 3 million strong, the world-wide Women’s March that went down on Saturday was a once-in-a-lifetime historical event. If you were at any of the marches held across the world, you felt the energy, the love, the strength, the boldness – and you heard the calls to action. So now what? It’s time to recycle your signs, fold up your pussy pink hats – and get to work. Use the momentum from the weekend; here are five actionable steps you can take today.
Volunteer/Donate/Both:
It’s time to log off Facebook, put away those Twitter fingers and get in the game. One of the first and easiest acts we can do now that we have some momentum from the Women’s March is to volunteer, donate time, donate money or do all three. Many of these organizations who have been fighting the good fight for years are doing so on a shoe string budget (some on no budget). Call or visit an organization who has been fighting the good fight and offer to put in some work. Answer phones, make copies, hell, sweep the floor if you have to – but do something that can assist them in their day-to-day activities.
CALL your Congressman First – then, send written letters:
In November 2016, former congressional staffer, Emily Ellsworth, shared with the world via her Twitter account @editoremilye, thebest way to contact your elected officials. Basically, Emily explained that staffers rarely check social media and they get so many emails and letters it is difficult to keep up. However, phone calls cannot be ignored. Take the time and make phone calls to your elected officials and let them know what is in the best interest of your district.
I worked for Congress for 6 years, and here’s what I learned about how they listen to constituents.
— Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016
Hold your elected officials accountable. Tell them thank you AND call them out if you have to:
Do not be afraid to hold your elected officials accountable. As a taxpayer and an American citizen, you have every right to stand up if you believe your elected representative is not working in the best interest of his or her district/state/country. This is not a time when issues, even if they seem small right now, can be swept under the rug while we move on to something else. Ask questions, ask for copies of public records, request hearings, attend meetings. Use this momentum to be proactive in a quest to serve your community.
In the same way we blast our elected officials when they make decisions and we don’t agree; don’t forget to thank them from time to time. Have just as much vigor when your elected official is making the right choices for your community.
Form Alliances:
Yes black women, we know over 53 percent of white women who voted helped elect Donald Trump. Yes, we know that the original goal of the feminist movement was to benefit white women, and not women of color. Yes white women, we know that men have had their foot on that glass ceiling for decades and we know that average wage earnings for females are about 75 to 80 percent of what men make. Yes we know! But, we have to remind ourselves that the feminist movement was officially organized in the 1800s, and instead focusing on what was, lets try to be forward-thinkers. Perhaps black and white woman were not allies in the 1800s, but in 2016 many of us personally witnessed a huge number of white women at Black Lives Matter rallies. We also witnessed quite a few men marching alongside their wives and daughters at the Women’s March this past weekend. Now is the time to refocus, regroup and understand that we cannot do this alone. We have to form alliances with like minded people, no matter their race, color or gender.
Use Your Voice:
We must stand up, speak out and claim our power. We may do this in the form of becoming lobbyists, running for local and state government, and being the first to address vital issues within our own communities.
We are in this together. #HearOurVoices
Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion
