The Citrus Peel

Hey. So, normally, I would be researching like a mad woman, reading article after article about the insanity that is politics right now in a desperate attempt to arm my readers with knowledge. And, while I will be arming you with knowledge, I will in no way attempt to justify this article by explaining why it’s necessary. If you are woefully unaware of the state of the United States government, you can start by reading my Trump Budget Series (The Trump Tax, Trump Cuts Federal Workforce, and Trump Makes Cuts to the Department of Education) which I will continue later this week. If you support everything that’s happening in the federal government, let me be clear: this article isn’t for you. But if you’re barely keeping your head from spinning exorcist-style off of your body as your thoughts whirlwind from political crisis to political crisis, then allow me to help.

I’ll be frank: I’m worried for the future of my country, and if you’re still reading, you might be too. But we are capable of so much more than worrying. So if you’re caught somewhere between planning to throw Tesla’s in the Boston Harbor and doom scrolling in trance-like state, then allow me to offer you some possible courses of action.

Rather than just informing you on what is going on, today, I’m focusing on what you can do. Before you spiral into a hopeless pit of despair, whining, “But, Hope, what can I possibly do?” Let me stop you right there. You are not alone. You are not the only person feeling this way, wanting to do something but feeling totally helpless. The very people causing your despair are counting on your complicity. They are counting on you feeling helpless and alone and remaining silent. They’re counting on your fear being more powerful than your hope. Because we are the ones with the real power.

Every right you have was won by people who felt exactly the way you feel now. The United States was created by a people fed up with being pushed around by a Monarch. Barely 100 years ago, women won the right to vote through practices like peaceful protest in freezing weather in front of the White House. Barely 50 years ago, the civil rights movement gained important victories, like integrating public schools and banning literacy tests designed to prevent black people from voting. The rights that we now take for granted came at a cost, and defending those rights will take our courage.

Not all hope is lost. There are easy things you can do right now put a stop to the overreach of executive power and erosion of the values our country was founded on.

5 Easy Steps

• Stay Informed: The Washington Post has a motto that I think is particularly appropriate: Democracy Dies in Darkness. Now is not the time to bury your head in sand. Try to carve out 15 minutes to read or watch a reliable news source. I get The Early Brief and The 7 from the Washington Post sent to my email in the morning, but your local news station, Politico, and the Associated Press are all easily accessible, cheap or free ways to get reliable news. Also, stay tuned for weekly updates here at The Citrus Peel where I’ll conduct deep dives into what is happening and how it might affect you.
• Call Your Congress Members: Yeah, I know, it’s the oldest and most annoying piece of advice when you’re frustrated with something in government, but it is one of the most effective ways of swaying votes in congress. Check out 5 Calls. They will provide you with the direct number to your Representative and Senators and a script for any issue you want to call about.
• Email Your Congress Members: Although its typically considered less effective than calling, if you’re more comfortable emailing you can write your own email or check out Resistbot, which will email your congress members for you.
• Volunteer: Check out Mobilize or Indivisible to find groups and volunteer opportunities in your area. Just this week, I volunteered to canvass for Josh Weil, a Democrat running in the special election for House District 6 in Florida. These special elections are a chance to win more Democratic seats in congress, which will further weaken the already slim Republican majority. Even if you don’t live in Florida, consider donating to Josh Weil or Gay Valimont‘s campaigns to help boost their chances of flipping these seats in the US House of Representatives.
• Protest: You can also use Mobilize and Indivisible to find protests, like the Democracy is Not for Sale rally I attended the weekend before last in Clermont, Florida. Protests not only signal to local, state, and federal politicians that their constituents are frustrated, but they also show other citizens like you that they are not alone in their frustrations and encourage others to speak up.

Play to Your Strengths

Now for those of you still thinking, “But what can I do.” I want you to ask yourself a few questions.:

• What issues are most important to you? What issues really get you fired up? Maybe your big issue is reproductive rights or labor rights or LGBTQIA+ rights. Focus on those issues, and use your personal stories and connections to these issues to drive yourself and educate others. Research these issues and arm yourself with knowledge, then use what you know to push for changes in these areas.
• What are you good at? For me, I’m a writer with a degree in political science. Keeping this blog is the best way for me to help others inform themselves. I’m also a good public speaker, so things like canvassing are something I can do to help. But maybe you’re a great artist and can make amazing protest signs or graphic designs for local activist groups. Maybe you want something more lowkey, like writing postcards for a campaign. Maybe you have great tech skills and can put together a website as a resource for local activist groups or show others in your area how to use tools like Resistbot. Maybe you’re a social butterfly or a great organizer who can get the word out about events and rally support. Whatever your skillset is, you can do something to help in a way that works for you.
• What’s in your area? You can use Mobilize or Indivisible to find local groups and events in your area. There are even lots of virtual events, so you don’t even have to leave your house!

Final Thoughts

We are on the precipice of something big. If we want change, we have to fight for it, and it’s now or never. I’m asking you, if you’re on the fence, if you want to do something but just haven’t yet: do something. This list is a great place to start. I’m committing to attending one event or volunteer action every week until real, substantive change occurs, and I challenge you to do the same. Remember: many hands make light work. The ideals of our nation are worth fighting for. Fight on.