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#resist
I've said it before and I'll say it again: we need to resist, but we need to do it in a way where we're still taking care of ourselves.
That link is helpful on how to stay outraged without burning out. I'll add that we can get also involved in the community in not overtly political ways that can help -- your church, your local arts program, your local Indian or Chinese society or similar, your local library, the food bank, groups promoting financial literacy and assistance, other educational outreach opportunities, etc.
There are ways to effect positive change through enrichment of your life and your community and I wish we wouldn't forget that. I know it feels even more painfully slow than immediate political activism like phone calls and marches, but the hope is these are the changes to our culture and society that can eventually turn places more blue, introduce difference and diversity in positive and non-scary, non-othering ways.
I've been volunteering at Houston's Asia Society and it's been really rewarding, to feel like I'm making a positive experience in diversity and understanding. The protests and resistance are vital, but so too is participating and engaging in our community, living as examples, supporting each other. I mean, don't make it your life goal to build bridges to educate someone, but build relationships to enhance your own life and you also happen to enhance someone else's, or give them some insight or clarity...well, good.
At the very least, these experiences can hopefully offer a break from the anger and fear which is nice when I feel like I'm on the verge of drowning in despair. And doing these things, I get a positive experience but still feel like I'm contributing in a small way.
That link is helpful on how to stay outraged without burning out. I'll add that we can get also involved in the community in not overtly political ways that can help -- your church, your local arts program, your local Indian or Chinese society or similar, your local library, the food bank, groups promoting financial literacy and assistance, other educational outreach opportunities, etc.
There are ways to effect positive change through enrichment of your life and your community and I wish we wouldn't forget that. I know it feels even more painfully slow than immediate political activism like phone calls and marches, but the hope is these are the changes to our culture and society that can eventually turn places more blue, introduce difference and diversity in positive and non-scary, non-othering ways.
I've been volunteering at Houston's Asia Society and it's been really rewarding, to feel like I'm making a positive experience in diversity and understanding. The protests and resistance are vital, but so too is participating and engaging in our community, living as examples, supporting each other. I mean, don't make it your life goal to build bridges to educate someone, but build relationships to enhance your own life and you also happen to enhance someone else's, or give them some insight or clarity...well, good.
At the very least, these experiences can hopefully offer a break from the anger and fear which is nice when I feel like I'm on the verge of drowning in despair. And doing these things, I get a positive experience but still feel like I'm contributing in a small way.
no subject
Is American civil society declining? I should look into that book. I remember studying about the rise of civil society in places like China and why it was necessary. It'd be interesting to see commentary on how it may be declining in places like the US where it's already been established for so long.