Welcome to a new series: Acts of Resistance. Each post will take a look at what you can do in the face of a crumbling Democracy.
You want to do something but you don’t know what. Perhaps you feel like all you can do is pray it gets better (and hey, if that helps, please do it; same goes for hexing fascists – we whole-heartedly support you directing spiritual energy to dousing the dumpster fire that is our country).
Maybe you think the only way to respond to the government overreach of the current administration is to get out there in the streets and protest. Or hand their authoritarian asses to them.
We agree. Protest is amazing. Whether you show up at a town hall so Mike Flood can pretend to care and then ignore you, or go to the Nebraska Capitol with a group for a specific cause or message, or even if you’re a one-person show in your small town, this is an option that might be more accessible than you think.
However, not everyone is up for this. Not everyone can be on their feet all day – or even for a few hours – or feels comfortable standing on a street corner with a sign. Not everyone wants to be yelled at by passerby, which is why we have put together more options for you to consider.
Also, if you want to make your voice heard, but without having to say anything, why not try wearing your protests? Check out RAYGUN and Boredwalk!
Activism
Donating money to particular groups is always an option but, again not accessible to everyone. If you can do it, finding worthwhile charities is easy.
How you choose to spend your money is also part of this. If you’re already boycotting Amazon, Target and Walmart (as well as Chik-Fil-A, Hobby Lobby, Jimmy John’s, and so many others), then you’re halfway there. Doing the hard work of finding ways to replace these kinds of stores isn’t always easy, but I’ve personally been doing the legwork.
Is it time for new underwear? I shop directly from Calvin Klein’s website. What about soap and face wash? I found a local, progressive-owned soap-maker. Pet supplies? Try Chewy! Time for a new pair of casual shoes? The Vans website has what you need.
If you want to know how a store or company donates when it comes to political candidates, check out Goods Unite Us and prepare to start shopping alternatives.
Donating time and items to charity is also an option, and one we will delve into further in a future post.
We’ll just say that if you know a group in your community that works toward progressive causes and protecting marginalized people – our LGBTQIA+ community, people of color, and immigrants – then it’s worth seeing what they need besides money. Your time is precious and valuable. And in some instances, are personal care products, clothes, school supplies, or office supplies could go a long way to help them help others.
Craftivism
Crafting for protest and/or sabotage has a long history. If you haven’t read about the weaponization of knitting by women kept prisoner at the concentration camp at Ravensbrück, check it out and then get out your needles!
You can go soft and gentle, like The Craftivist Collective, donate your work to a charity, or go loud and annoying with embroidered messages that you display for the world to see. Pussy hats are one example of this type of activism. Other examples are t-shirts, tote bags, or knitted items with a message, as well as bandanas and signs, and items you can leave for others to find, such as bookmarks.
Whatever you’re inspired to create, your collection of yarn or embroidery floss, jewelry-making items, crochet hooks and embroidery needles, markers, paints, and poster board can go further than you might imagine.
Stickering is a fun and seditious option for someone who wants to be bold in their activism. You can make your own stickers if you’re feeling crafty, as well as print or purchase sheets of them online. I have a coffee cup covered in anti-capitalist stickers in my office, but of course the idea of stickering is going out there and putting them in plain view in public.
Take a walk and slap your “Fuck Jim Pillen” sticker on a park bench. If you’re concerned about children reading them, you can try abbreviations like “FJP” and “FDT”.
You can also use stickers as an information campaign, to let folks know what’s going on with the government.
Do they know what the end of the Department of Education will mean for their state? Want to point out the right’s hypocrisy about illegal immigration and Elon Musk? Or that a particular legislative bill is government overreach? There’s a sticker for that and, if there isn’t, you can make one!
Put up your leftist stickers everywhere you go. Or dress in black, slip out in the night, and use paint markers to spread your message. A little graffiti never hurt anyone… unlike two-thirds of current Nebraska legislators.
A note: Some people complain about what they see as the intersection of arts and crafts, and politics. I see it all the time in my favorite crafting forums. Those are also the people who don’t comprehend that voting for someone who will actively hurt others is never, ever acceptable. Ignore those people.
Art is inherently political and your art means something.