In Part 1, we went over 4 ideas to help you prepare for and persist through the next 4 years. Here are 4 more that we hope will give you hope and the inspiration you need to carry on through what’s going to be a bumpy ride.
5. Don’t Give Up Your Personal Freedom
Nebraska Republications, especially Governor Pillen and Kathleen Kauth, former sex toy peddler, are always working hard to take away your personal freedoms. So are the Republications in national government. Don’t let them. The freedoms they want to take away from you are your own damn business. You decide if you want to be loud and out, or quiet and fight from another angle.
Have you had an abortion? Are you LGBTQIA+? Do your religious beliefs run counter to Christian nationalism? Good! Don’t stop being you. Government doesn’t belong in your life, your body, your bedroom, or your spirituality. Either live loud and proud, or close and lock the door. No matter what, they can’t change you.
Download and back up any digital media you have that might be considered “porn” by these people – books, movies, and music about social justice, fighting racism, gay rights, protecting trans kids, and more – or actual porn. Do it now before you lose the ability to access it.
6. Keep Your Secrets
How did you feel about the United CEO being shot to death? What do you really think about your neighbors who display(ed) MAGA signs and flags? More to the point, does anyone need to know?
Don’t show your hand and don’t reveal your plans, whatever they may be. You don’t have to go along to get along.
It’s okay not to have room in your heart for the worst of the worst. We’ve cut off family, co-workers, and others for their MAGA views. Yes, we’ve “let politics ‘ruin’ our relationships,” and we feel fine not being around those people anymore. We don’t have to be around people who have been loud and clear about the fact that they are unsafe, that they are homophobic, transphobic, racist and/or hate women and children.
It’s also okay not to tell people you’re done with them, and their hatred. Maybe you’re in a situation where it’s better to quietly cut them off, set your boundaries, build your walls, and carry on. There are better uses of our time and energy, and better people we can invite into our lives.
7. Do Good in the Community
Wherever you are, considering checking out or starting a Food Not Bombs group. Get involved with your county progressive party, whether they’re your local Democrats or another group that works on endeavors you’re passionate about – the environment, education, libraries that serve everyone, mentoring children, spending time with the elderly, assisting the unhoused, and more.
8. Know Your Enemy
Why are Trump, Vance, Pillen, Kauth, and their platforms of hatred so dangerous? Because they are authoritarians and/or Christian Nationalists (obviously, Trump is more one than the other, with a side of mental illness). Follow Andra Watkins on Substack to understand Christian Nationalism, including their beliefs, why they hate and resent women and education, and what they hope to achieve.
Do remember to separate the crazy from the realistic. Trump claiming he wants to take over Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal, as well rename the Gulf of Mexico? Sure, he’s learning into the fascist authoritarian narrative, but is that a distraction from something else going on behind the scenes? Narrow your concerns down to realistic threats while being aware of the unrealistic ones. Trump, Marjorie Taylor-Greene and letting their full-on Nazi beliefs all hang out isn’t surprising or shocking, but if that’s all we pay attention to, we could be missing something important.
These are just a few ideas and this list is nowhere near exhaustive. There are many other actions we are implementing that we are happy to discuss in our safe spaces. And this isn’t just about one group of people in the here and now.
This is for us, for you, for our children, and your children. This is for everyone’s future.
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