Like most Americans, I’ve been distraught since the election last year. For the second time in my life, the majority of votes were not heard, and the minority candidate won.
I know I needed to do something. To be more involved, I just wasn’t sure how.
When I heard about the Women’s March on Washington I thought that maybe Ali and I could be a part of it, but the logistics were difficult. When they started expanding the march to other cities with Austin on the list, I knew Ali and I could be a part of it.
Yesterday, Ali and I and a few co-workers took part in the Women’s March on Austin.
We met downtown and walked about five or six blocks to the Austin State Capitol Building. The sidewalks on both sides of the streets were jammed packed full of people heading north to the Capitol. By the time we got to there we could barely get in the grounds.
On a normal day it’s really cool driving or walking down Congress Street in Austin with the giant Capitol building smack in the middle.
Yesterday during the Women’s March on Austin, it was even cooler.
Estimates are around 50,000 participants in Austin. It felt amazing to be a part of that large a group. I can’t even begin to imagine what the marches in D.C., Chicago, Boston, New York City, or Los Angeles and across the rest of the world felt like.
Yesterday I marched. I marched for my amazing, strong, and beautiful wife. I marched for my mother, sisters, aunts, and cousins. I marched for my friends. I marched for my niece.
Yesterday I marched for my country. For progress. To keep pushing this country and its people to be better. Equality. Healthcare. Being a good citizen in the world.
Like most Americans, I’m angry. Trying to figure out what to do to make sure that Trump and his cronies are only in power for four years. To make sure we start flipping seats in the House and Senate in 2018. To do anything to get back on a path of progress.
A Few Ways to Get Involved
Action
Here are some ways that I’ve found to get involved. Most are quick actions. Do them, and do them often.
- 10 Actions / 100 Days – 10 Actions to take during Trump’s first 100 days.
- Swing Left – Take Back the House of Representatives, and help keep blue seats blue.
- re:act – A great weekly newsletter of actions you can easily take during Trump’s presidency.
- Holy Fuck the Election – Now What? – A site to help you get involved in issues that matter to you.
- Contact your elected officials – Contact your elected Senators and Representatives and follow this guide from former staffers on how get their attention.
Donate
Donate to causes that are important to you, especially if they are in danger of having their federal funding cut. These organizations need our help now more than ever, and we need them just as much.
Be angry. Stay angry. Get involved. Give time if you can. Give money if you can. Call your Senators and Representatives, and call them often. If you are lucky enough to have Democrats for representatives, call them and thank them for their support. Don’t let them forget why we’re here and what we’re fighting for.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure you protect yourself online.
I’m very proud you walked Mike. The only thing I would disagree with is your comment about be/stay angry…Anger begets anger and is a waste of energy. I would rather get motivated and stay motivated. Just my 2cents…