It’s been a few weeks since the new year started and most of us have some goals in mind to create awareness of the issues we care about and ultimately create culture change. For us, social justice fighters, 2017 will be a year of challenges but also of opportunities.
This past weekend, people from all over the country (and the world) came together from all different backgrounds, ages, genders and races to fight for a common cause: social justice. How awesome and inspiring was that?
The march is over, but what is next?
We believe the Women’s Marches around the world ensure the causes we fight about stay important for the current White House administration, but this is just a starting point for something bigger. Now we need an action plan.
We have put together a list of tips you can follow to achieve your social justice goals for 2017, either if it’s on your own or with an organization:
1. Support others.
Support organizations fighting the same causes you are. You can set up recurring donations or maybe even volunteer your time to help out and create awareness about these groups.
2. Stay informed.
Research what is happening in your neighborhood, city and country. The news on your social media feed are not enough. Subscribe to newsletter that might be relevant to you and remember to collect information from different sources to create your own informed opinion about an issue.
3. “Don’t boo. Vote!”
Look up the meeting schedule for local town halls and attend them. Call your senators and representatives to voice your concerns or gratitude for any and every cause that speaks to you. Then when mid-term elections happen in 2018 vote for those representatives that support the causes you’re fighting for.
4. Join the movement.
The organizers from the Women’s March have launched a campaign called 10 actions for the first 10 days. You can check it out and/or subscriber to their newsletter to stay on top of some specific actions you can participate to support the cause.
5. Don’t give up
Keep in mind that a slip-up is almost inevitable at some point, and you must not let this become an excuse to give up. Most people run into a challenge or obstacle and seek immediate escape. Have a plan to push forward when this happens. To that end it’s vital that we leave this march ready to lose a lot of battles along the way, but willing to get our hands dirty during this ongoing protest movement.
The toughest part is not over yet, there’s a lot to be done. The good news is that we’re out in front of this storm. Hopefully Women’s March will not only demonstrate support for ideals that the new administration doesn’t agree with but also inspire more people to enter political life.
Now let’s not only talk about the hope the march created but let’s talk about the plan we’ve created.
Catharsis Productions
Catharsis Productions' mission is to change the world by producing innovative, accessible and research-supported programming that challenges oppressive attitudes and shifts behavior.