Ever since Trump won the election I’ve been trying to make sense of how a guy who is legitimately such a terrible dude could get elected in 2016 — and reeling at the reality that his victory meant we didn’t elect our first woman president.
- Most Americans are not racists, sexists, misogynists, etc but voted for Trump in spite of these traits because the establishment failed them and they full-stop reject that the answer is more oppression at the hands of political elites.
- This anger and frustration found it’s voice with the election of Trump, who at a minimum has said hateful things for his own gain and at worst believes in those hateful things and plans to act on them if given the chance.
Here’s what I’m committing to do about it:
- Learn from this painful process that, while I disagree with other Americans about important issues, this doesn’t give me permission to dismiss them as my neighbors. I’ve been tripping over my own elitism in this way for some time now and I need to open my eyes and start watching where I’m going again.
- Oppose (vigorously) any policy or statement Trump makes that is rooted in racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, anti-poor, or any other worldview that doesn’t recognize the humanity of us all.
- Give money every month throughout Trump’s presidency to organizations that fight for my values. This is another way I can put my liberal (financial) elitism to good use instead of feeling guilty about it and we aren’t alone.
- Wear my support of these groups like a badge of honor rather than being modest and secretive about it, because I really believe our future depends on all of us showing up right now.
- Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon
- The Oregon Innocence Project
- PSU Center for Women’s Leadership
- Sexual Assault Resource Center Oregon
- TransActive Gender Center
- Americans Civil Liberties Union
- Planned Parenthood
- Southern Poverty Law Center
- Sierra Club
- National Organization for Women
- Council on American-Islamic Relations
- Union of Concerned Scientists
- Black Lives Matter
International
- Rural Health Collaborative (our org)
- Christian Peacemaker Teams
- Human Factor Leadership Academy
- Amanda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT)
- Midwives for Haiti
- International Rescue Committee
- Project Amal Ou Salam
As an aside, if you think the work to be done is only at home, I can tell you as someone living abroad right now, it isn’t. People are paying attention, and if a Trump presidency means our humanitarian role in the world diminishes, his ideas win and the marginalized lose.
We challenge you to pick an organization (or 2 or 3) in each of these three categories and support them every month during Trump’s presidency. One time gifts help but this fight needs to last.
Leave a comment to share about groups you’re supporting every month, then share about it someplace else like FB or Instagram, where others will actually see it. Let’s not be modest and shy about fighting for what we believe in. Now’s the time.
Other ideas of organizations to support:
- Every town for Gun Safety
- Human Rights Campaign
- Campaign Zero
- Anti-Defamation League
- 350.org
- Greenpeace
Disclaimer: this post reflects only my views and not the views of any organization I’m affiliated with or work for.
This is wonderful analysis with positive going forward suggestions.
It will be widely circulated here on Orcas Island, WA. where we are so dependent on one another but where there are big fault lines between “haves” and “have nots”.
Love how your “what I’m actually doing about this” section is more than twice the size of your “how I feel about this” section. I agree and am inspired by this. I am proud to support several of these organizations and especially ruralhealthcollaborative.org
You said this so well. These are our sentiments exactly. Chris and I have been saying the same things. We must all speak up, respectfully but forcefully, against discrimination and policies that hurt any people and our environment. When Chris arrives home we will be researching these organizations and setting up monthly donations as well. Thanks so much for sharing.
So happy to hear that Holly. Thanks for your comment. And give Chris a big hug for me when he returns!