Our Shared Shelf discussion

Hey everyone,

I'm still reeling from the election results in my country, the United States, Tuesday night. Like many of you, I'm sad and angry and disappointed and scared. I'm scared for us to lose healthcare, for my LGBTQ friends/family to lose their rights, for women's rights, for POC and Muslims...the list goes on forever.

Be the Change You Want to See in the World

That phrase keeps going through my head. Clearly, voting and talking to my peer group isn't enough. I have to get active in fighting for rights if I'm going to make any real change.

So...I want to make a thread where we can make suggestions for how to make change. Post links to organizations we can get involved with, opportunities to volunteer, petitions, protests, whatever. If we all spend just an hour or two more a week really working for change then I think we can prevent the worst of what I'm imagining from this administration.

To start us off...here's a HuffPost article from yesterday with links to some organizations we can volunteer time with.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/i...?

Thank you



"Be the light..." has been running through my head too and I've been trying to figure out how. I'm not an activist. It's not a role I'm comfortable in (yet?), but I want to find a way to do something to support and advance women and girls. Thank you for starting the discussion.

Thanks so much for starting this thread. This idea has been so vital to me as I try and process what happened with the election and how I can work hard to help spread positivity and love moving forward.

To add to the Huffington Post article- one came out from Cosmo today with links to some volunteer organizations, places to donate and ways to get involved. I think there is a good mix of options for people with varying degrees of time and money.

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/...

There is also this link from Thrillist which just focuses on volunteer opportunities in NYC. They might have this for others cities, but I haven't checked.

https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/n...

Andddd if donating money is something that is possible for people, another different idea is to donate to projects that perpetuate kindness and love on funding sites like Kickstarter. I really liked the two projects below.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

One thing that we can do that a lot of people are failing to mention is the fact that the younger generation needs to step up and run for political positions. Especially on the local levels.

If you want to make real change then you need to get in a position to be able to do so. I realized this on Tuesday that I know many people who have volunteered and spoken out that would make excellent city board members and state representatives in the state house, etc. So I am encouraging those people now to look into that and offering my support should they decide to take a step in that direction.

Yes not everyone wants to get into politics but I am tired of hearing that our only choices are between bad and worse. We need to encourage good people who have the good of people and our country at heart to take a leap and help fight for our country in a real way.

Kristin wrote: "One thing that we can do that a lot of people are failing to mention is the fact that the younger generation needs to step up and run for political positions. Especially on the local levels.

If y..."

Good point! I would add that if running for office isn't something you feel ready for (I certainly don't), then it wouldn't hurt to get involved by attending local city council meetings or city planning meetings. Bring your voice to the places where decisions are being made! :)

Sherrie wrote: "Kristin wrote: "One thing that we can do that a lot of people are failing to mention is the fact that the younger generation needs to step up and run for political positions. Especially on the loca..."

Yes!

i agree, ryan. i think (or it seems to me) that many people are protesting the fact that trump is president, period, which doesn't actually do anything. yes, their voices are being heard that they're not happy with the election results, but we all know that now.

i understand these protests may be from sheer frustration, or even fear, but i think this energy may be better served in other ways, such as you suggest or with volunteering or getting politically involved. the protests cannot protect against what may or may not happen in the future.

Personally, I cannot advocate enough for volunteering at your local library. It's true, if we want to see a real change, a lot of us are going to have to step up and start running for political offices. However, I would also put forward that just as important as that is to make sure you and the people around you are educated about the system and how to work within it.

The only steps I have taken so far are to volunteer with a group called Gique based near me that teaches STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math) to students in under privileged areas as well as volunteering teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) at my local library to help immigrants better integrate. Still, part of me is now also considering running for the local library board when the opportunity presents itself so I can help build my community by building up the libraries.

It doesn't have to be something big to make a difference, but we do have to do something.

Hi. I am a muslim girl, and like all Muslims I wear a veil. I was born in America, but my parents are originally from Egypt. Afte staying in America, we moved to Saudi Arabia. I am not a terrorist. When I talk to shipping companies about if they can deliver their products to Saudi Arabia, like 95% of them won't answer me back. Is it wrong nowadays to follow what you belief. I anybody has any question concerning Islam, you can text me on my Facebook, Noor Amgad with a quote from the Harry Potter book as the profile picture, or on Instagram, also Noor Amgad but a different quote. I willbe pleased to do such a thing. Later on, you could spread to Trump supporters how peaceful we are. Please don't judge a minority in us.
Thanks

Call your own representatives/senators. This article explains why phone calls are the most effective way of making your voice heard.

http://www.mommyish.com/2016/11/15/co...

noor, it is never wrong to follow what you believe. people believe all sorts of things. slave owners in the u.s. followed what they believed, so did hitler, so do terrorists. when taught from a young age to hate, that's what a child grows up to believe. when taught to love, that's what a child grows up to believe.

the question becomes, how do we stop hurtful/harmful beliefs from beginning? how do we change hate to love after it's been implanted in a baby's mind through repetition, propaganda, and role modeling? what kinds of interventions are helpful to reverse what has been learned from an early age?

i am in the process of changing beliefs about myself that were handed down to me by my parents, that have resulted in me making unhealthy choices in lifestyle and relationships. i'm someone who, as an older adult, wants to change these messages, and, even with brilliant information and a caring support system, is finding it difficult to make the changes i want to make.

doing what i believed caused me no end of physical and emotional damage, yet to change those messages is like re-wiring my brain. how do we encourage such re-wiring in those who don't want to change? my heart is with you, noor.

I don't think protests can change anything, but maybe petitions can.

I don't think there will be any kicking Trump out of office-that's illogical. He hasn't done anything illegal yet, that we know of, since he has become the Presiden-Elect.

Of course, you can create petitions though. Petitions to combat things that he wants to change. Not only is it peaceful, but it gives a direct headcount, it's easy-I don't think you can go wrong with them.

Look at all the times they've solved past issues! They can solve present and future, too.

From my point of view and from what I was taught, if you want a change in the world, you need to begin with yourself. Change who you are to being good. It is not the first time or the last we see and will see oppression. You will never find anything 100% good or bad. Always there are outcasts. Just begin with yourself. Support people.

As for comments about protesting doesn't do anything - I think the Suffragettes and Civil Rights marchers would disagree with you. As would the AFW, SEIU and earlier labor groups that ended up changing US labor laws.

This is a great thread, and so important. After the election (and my initial feelings), I have sent out several messages on Twitter about getting involved in many organizations across the spectrum "to be the change." Thankfully, each of those posts have been passed on, and on. I know this month I've joined organizations related to social justice, climate change, and the LGBTQ community, as well as signed several petitions. I'm already involved in politics and animal welfare and have no intention of stopping for myself or from encouraging others. I sure hope others continue as well.

Kim. E. wrote: "This is a great thread, and so important. After the election (and my initial feelings), I have sent out several messages on Twitter about getting involved in many organizations across the spectrum ..."

That's awesome, Kim! I hadn't thought of using Twitter to get involved with organizations (I'm kind of a social media noob).

Kim. E. wrote: "This is a great thread, and so important. After the election (and my initial feelings), I have sent out several messages on Twitter about getting involved in many organizations across the spectrum ..."

well done, kim!!!

Thank you both! Sherrie I was very reluctant to join Twitter and at first only used it for entertainment sites (literally the entertainment industry), but over time I began to add more sites that touched my heart and could be change agents. Others have responded and it's grown. I still have some entertainment industry sites or fan related on there, but I've narrowed it down to just a few that are long fans.

Oh, and today is Giving Tuesday- a perfect time to donate to an organization, maybe in honor of someone you love.

Not preaching.

Hello, I am concerned too by the results of the US elections. But not only by what could happen, but that so many people share those ideas ( although we must not forget that the USA has a democratic system and we still have to respect the results because people voted for them). Naturally we all want A CHANGE and it is an amazing thing to want and create and develop a better world for everyone. But the important thing is starting with ourselves and those who surround us on a daily basis (friends, family...). Firstly love yourself and accept yourself ( because we need more love) and then accept and love your friends and family how they are. Then get into the action of protesting and claiming what's right. When we protest for our ideas and for what we think is correct is absolutely necessary to use our own weapons: education, peace, love and equality. If we educate small children telling them that hate is alright then they are going to believe it (that is what happens with radicalism), but if we teach children to love and to accept, this could be a wonderful world, the change that we so desperately need and want. So, let's make this change by love, peace, equality and education.

Ines wrote: "Hello, I am concerned too by the results of the US elections. But not only by what could happen, but that so many people share those ideas ( although we must not forget that the USA has a democrati..."

amen!

Ines wrote: "Hello, I am concerned too by the results of the US elections. But not only by what could happen, but that so many people share those ideas ( although we must not forget that the USA has a democrati..."
Amazing!!!!

Ines wrote: "Hello, I am concerned too by the results of the US elections. But not only by what could happen, but that so many people share those ideas ( although we must not forget that the USA has a democrati..."

That was wonderful!!!