Getting Involved.
After the November election, I was unsure of what the future held. I was in anguish over the results of the presidential election not because my candidate had lost but rather because the other candidate had won. I was afraid that the tactics used during the President’s campaign were a sure sign of backward motion for our country. The president has used job security, safety from terrorist attacks, and the claim of making “America great again” as a way to excuse and perpetuate racism, xenophobia and misogyny. However, this blatant disregard for human rights, as alarming as it might be, is not the scariest part. The overwhelmingly accepting and complacent response to these actions by many members of the public is what worries me. Tyranny cannot succeed if WE THE PEOPLE refuse to stay silent. We must organize.
So, I did what any academic might do and I called my mentor. She suggested an event on campus. Thus, the Post-Inauguration Panel was born. This event was a collaboration between the school of social work, law, public policy, education, and public health. This collaborative nature is what we must harvest. We must all stick together. We cannot allow the president and current political climate to divide us. Let this be my invitation to you, find your platform, whatever that may be, and get involved. I encourage you all to organize an event just as I have, attend a protest or march, write to your congress people and senators to express your dissatisfaction, and every chance you get educate others.
On Friday night, I was honored to meet like-minded men and women in my hometown who are interested in working toward a more socially just America. There were about 40 of us altogether. We were split into smaller groups, or “huddles”. In these huddles we discussed our visions of what we’d like America to look like in 4 years. Each of us also was asked what our platform was for contributing to the movement or resistance. Some of us talked about challenging stereotypes, educating our youth, and creating kindness in our own homes. Many discussed how their own special talents might be vital to the movement. My point in sharing this is to say, that we each have something that makes us unique and when we work together it can become magnified into something great. My platform is education, academia, and event organization. It is something I love! What is your special talent?
If you live in the Los Angeles area and want to get involved please message us at yournationtoo on Facebook or email us at [email protected]
-Nikki