Rest & Resist
I write this post with a heavy heart over the policies of white resentment that have culminated into the events of this past weekend in my home state of Virginia. At such a time, I cannot let this site be a function for mere politically correct topics. One cannot be well if their safety is jeopardised as those of many are currently.
As a target minority myself—a female Muslim immigrant—I plead and urge you to take action. These events will still continue to occur, killing, injuring, and risking the safety of others as we remain silent. Many of these victims, such as immigrants like myself or blacks or members of the LGBTQ community, are voiceless—even blatantly posting this is a potential risk for me as an immigrant still-in-process*. If you are not a direct target, be the voice of the voiceless.
“
A country is only as strong as the people who make it up and the country turns into what the people want it to become. Now, this country is going to be transformed. It will not be transformed by an act of God, but by all of us, by you and me.” — James Baldwin
Below are individual and systemic levels of action you can take to stay woke, resist, and rise others in solidarity . . .
*So, please excuse the non-blatant imagery that remains an accurate portrayal of the crying-in-bed scenario I experienced in reaction.
Rest & Synthesise
As an ally or a potential threatened target, you may have felt tremendous exhaustion and heavy heart following the Charlottesvile news. First, allow yourself to feel these emotions as they are, without judgement, and do so in a safe space. I cried in bed, and that is o.k.. Take some form of self-care, such as grounding or follow this guide. This here is an incredible guide for collective self-care, compiled through the kindness of strangers to support activists and groups dealing with sadness. It's necessary to synthesise information like this properly before we take action lest we make ill-informed decisions that can ensue due to anger or sadness even from the best-intentioned hearts.
Talk with family, friends, and coworkers if possible about how to take action against this racism and related hatred. If you see people empowered by this event to vocalise inappropriate, racist, or intolerant comments, call them out. Keeping quiet further enables the rising culture and rhetoric of "Unite the Right" supremacists. Allowing these comments to be disengaged reiterates that it can be and is already accepted.
Educate
You can also widen your depth of knowledge regarding the current state by enrolling in this free course called Resistance School created by Harvard University. It's free, allows individual or group registration, and you can start right here.
Call Representatives
This is an action that we should all regularly take. Tied to the point above, educate yourself on the stance your representatives take and urge them to protect everyone through legislative action. Use this website as a resource. It is designated into the seven main legislative categories of Immigration, LGBTQ equality, Health Care, Policing & Protest, Reproductive Justice, Voting Rights, and Economic Justice. legislation that is being considered, passed, and who is responsible for it as these vary according to state. You can also find out when your Senators & U.S. Representatives are holding town halls or other upcoming events to further inform yourself.
Solidarity Actions
In solidarity with those who have lost loved ones, those who have bravely stood against hate, and in spreading awareness, join a demonstration. Some of these have already happened but there are many that have yet to occur this week around the world and your city might be holding one. You can also print a flyer and distribute it across your town to let others know.
Trump Resistance Manual
The Trump Manual is an incredibly thorough tool that includes information on everything from state-level and federal policies to current legislative considerations and even crisis resources. It's also a resource for education with guides on topics such as contacting elected officials and recommendations for bystander intervention.It also encourages community engagement through local volunteer opportunity listings, which foster kindness and alliance against bigotry.
