I’m a white woman. I did not vote for Donald Trump. I’ve supported Hillary Clinton since the 1990’s. Since the election, I’ve searched for ideas as to what I can do going forward to support ideas and causes I believe in during the next 4 years.
One of the things I’ve done, and will continue to do, is support women. I support women in tech on my Web Teacher blog. I support women in entertainment on my Old Ain’t Dead blog. I use my Twitter accounts @vdebolt and @OldAintDead to do the same thing. That has been my point of activism for several years.
I’m not physically able to go out to march in protests. I don’t drive at night so that eliminates joining environmental action groups that meet locally. Beyond pointing out examples of worthy women on my blogs, what else have I got? Well, money. Not much money, but it’s what I’ve got.
I considered environmental organizations. I considered LGBTQ organizations. I considered social justice organizations. I considered women’s organizations. I support all those activists in what they do. They are all worthy choices. They all face danger under the President elect. What could I pick to support that I don’t already support?
In the end, I chose Black Girls Code and Being Black at School as places where I want to put my money. They both fit my values as an educator, as a tech nerd, and as a human who believes in equal rights.
I live in a blue state. These two organizations have the potential to make a difference in the red states. Red states are the places that need the most effort. Being Black at School is a fledgling, it needs support to do the good work it is capable of doing.
There are lists circulating now suggesting places where you can volunteer or donate to make a difference. Take a look at Black Girls Code and Being Black at School when you evaluate those lists. Maybe they are right for you, too.
Image credit: Ivan Friande
Virginia, I’m so happy to read your positive and forward-thinking thoughts! So many people have sunk into a negative pit since the election, but I believe we need to look at what we can DO instead! To that end, I’ve written an analysis of the Trump voters in order to get a better understanding of who they are. I included some suggestions about some of the problems we might address. If you read it, please comment.
The article mentioned is at http://www.stilltheluckyfew.com/2016/11/the-emerging-picture-of-donald-trumps-voting-base-2/. One thing Still the Lucky Few didn’t mention that I think is important is what is being preached in the evangelical churches. So much of the homophobia, misogyny, racism, sexism and every other -ism is coming from there.