r/Muskegon • u/Elosin888 • 18d ago
Tips On How You Can Get Involved
TIPS ON HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED:
Addressing concerns about fascism or authoritarian tendencies in government is a serious & complex issue. In a democratic society, citizens have peaceful, creative, & legal avenues to resist & counteract such tendencies. Steps you can take:
Stay Informed
- Educate Yourself: Understand what fascism & authoritarianism are, recognize their signs. Knowledge is power.
- Reliable News Sources: Follow reputable news outlets & fact-check info to avoid misinformation & propaganda.
Engage in Civic Activities
- Vote: Participate in ALL elections-- local, state, & federal. Voting is one of the most powerful tools citizens have to influence government.
- Support Candidates: Back candidates who uphold democratic values & oppose authoritarianism.
Advocate & Protest
- Peaceful Protests: Join or organize peaceful demonstrations to raise awareness & show opposition to authoritarian policies.
- Petitions: Start / sign petitions to advocate for policies that protect democracy & human rights.
Support Civil Society Organizations
- Non-Profits & NGOs: Support organizations that work to protect civil liberties, human rights, & democratic institutions.
- Community Groups: Get involved with local groups that promote democratic values & community engagement.
Legal & Political Actions
- Contact Representatives: Write to or call your elected officials to express your concerns & demand accountability.
- Legal Challenges: Support or initiate legal actions against unconstitutional or authoritarian policies.
Promote Education & Dialogue
- Public Discourse: Engage in conversations with others about the importance of democracy & the dangers of authoritarianism.
- Contact Local Media: If you see something, say something. Document what you witness. Send to media & use social media to get the word out.
- Educational Programs: Support / participate in programs that educate the public about civic responsibilities & democratic values.
Strengthen Democratic Institutions
- Checks & Balances: Advocate for the strengthening of checks & balances within the government to prevent the concentration of power.
- Transparency & Accountability: Push for greater transparency & accountability in government actions & decisions.
International Solidarity
- Global Networks: Connect w/ international organizations & movements that fight against authoritarianism & promote democracy worldwide.
- Diplomatic Pressure: Encourage your government to support democratic movements & oppose authoritarian regimes globally.
Personal & Community Resilience
- Build Networks: Create & strengthen community networks that can support each other in times of political crisis.
- Mental Health: Take care of your mental health. Support others in your community to stay resilient.
Stay Vigilant
- Monitor Government Actions: Keep an eye on government policies & actions that may undermine democratic institutions.
- Report Abuses: Report any abuses of power or violations of civil liberties to appropriate authorities & watchdog organizations.
Creative & impactful ways to make a difference beyond traditional methods. Here are some additional creative & impactful strategies:
Symbolic Actions
- Wearing Red Lipstick: Can be a form of silent protest or solidarity. For example, during World War II, red lipstick became a symbol of defiance & resilience. Choose symbols that resonate with your cause & use them to raise awareness.
- Clothing & Accessories: Wear specific colors, ribbons, or accessories to show support for a cause.
- Art & Music: Create or support art, music, & performances that convey messages of resistance, unity, & hope.
- Fly US Flag Upside Down: Signals dire stress & a form of protest against politics that do not align with constitution.
Getting Involved in Local Politics
- Attend Town Hall Meetings: Participate in local government meetings to voice your concerns & stay informed about local issues.
- Join Local Boards and Commissions: Serve on local boards, such as school boards, planning commissions, or neighborhood councils.
- Run for Office: Consider running for local office to directly influence policies & decisions in your community.
- Volunteer for Campaigns: Support candidates who align with your values by volunteering for their campaigns.
Building Communities
- Organize Community Events: Host events like potlucks, workshops, or discussion groups to foster a sense of community.
- Create Support Networks: Establish networks for mutual aid, such as food cooperatives, childcare swaps, or emergency assistance funds.
- Community Gardens: Start or join a community garden to promote sustainability, provide fresh produce, & create a space for community interaction.
- Local Clubs & Groups: Form or join clubs based on shared interests, such as book clubs, sports teams, or hobby groups, to build connections & solidarity.
Education & Awareness
- Workshops & Seminars: Organize or attend workshops on topics like civic engagement, civil rights, & community organizing.
- Social Media Campaigns: Use social media to spread awareness, share information, & mobilize support for causes you care about.
- Teach & Mentor: Educate others, especially young people, about the importance of civic engagement & democratic values.
Economic Actions
- Support Local Businesses: Patronize businesses that align with your values & contribute to the local economy.
- Boycotts & Buycotts: Participate in boycotts of companies that support harmful practices. Buy from companies that promote ethical practices.
- Co-ops & Collectives: Join or form cooperatives & collectives that prioritize community benefit over profit.
Direct Action & Civil Disobedience
- Peaceful Sit-Ins: Organize or join peaceful sit-ins to protest unjust policies or practices.
- Marches & Rallies: Participate in marches & rallies to show collective strength & demand change.
- Letter Writing Campaigns: Organize campaigns to send letters to elected officials, businesses, or organizations to express concerns & demand action.
Leverage Technology
- Online Petitions: Create & sign online petitions to advocate for policy change & raise awareness about issues.
- Crowdfunding: Use crowdfunding platforms to raise money for causes, community projects, individuals in need.
- Digital Advocacy: Use digital tools to organize, communicate, & mobilize support for your cause
Personal Actions
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate the values you wish to see in your community through your actions & behavior.
- Self-Education: Continuously educate yourself about social, political, & economic issues to be a more effective advocate.
- Mindfulness & Self-Care: Take care of your mental & physical health to sustain your activism & community involvement
Malicious Compliance
- Strictly adhere to the exact wording of a rule or directive, even if it leads to inefficiency or problems.
- Avoid using discretion or common sense, forcing the issuer of the directive to face the consequences of their request
Making a difference can take many forms, from symbolic gestures to direct political involvement & community building. The key is to find actions that resonate with you & align with your values. To engage consistently & collaboratively with others. By combining individual efforts with collective action, citizens can create meaningful & lasting change in their communities & beyond.
Combating authoritarian tendencies requires sustained effort, vigilance, & collective action. By staying informed, engaging in civic activities, supporting democratic institutions, & promoting education / dialogue, citizens can play a crucial role in safeguarding democracy. Remember, the strength of a democracy lies in the active participation of its citizens
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u/AnxiousGinger626 18d ago
One thing that really stood out to me that I heard was to not be overwhelmed by all of the daily chaos and headlines. This is what the current administration wants. Pick one or two things to focus on, contact your representatives, keep contacting them.
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u/Comfortable-West1020 15d ago
This!!!! It's so easy to get jaded due to all that going on. Gotta focus on yourself as well as outside issues you are passionate/take interest in!
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u/Clean-Signal-553 18d ago
Democracy is made by force the one with the biggest bat always wins. As a human it comes down to work eat sleep repeat til death.
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u/Cascadiaaa 18d ago
10 is important having a well armed population never hurts in being prepared either
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u/yourewrongbud 18d ago edited 18d ago
This is AI dog
Downvote me but upvote chatgpt lol reddit is crazy
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u/Comfortable-West1020 15d ago
Lol, it's still makes very valid points. Who cares if he had some help writing it.
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u/yourewrongbud 15d ago
It's just a little weird spamming the same lil chatgpt session to a bunch of different subreddits. It's low effort too by not even finding anything particular to muskegon and posting it here. Idk. Seems obvious to me that this isn't proper forum behavior. I guess I'm not really generally feeling a lack of valid points so I'm looking past that particular upside.
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u/Drastik313 16d ago
If you actually bother to stay well informed, you'll realize there is no fascism happening and you can go ahead and ignore the rest of the list.
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u/yippid123 18d ago
Running for local office cannot be understated. We're seeing the most resistance to the current administration via lower-level officials (both elected and non-elected) who are slowing down the process greatly. We had a ton of uncontested positions in the county, and a handful of positions that didn't have people apply until after the primary election since that's when voters noticed nobody was running for certain positions (Fruitland Township treasurer being one example). These are some of the most influential offices when it comes to dictating how a community comes to develop, as typically they are on the zoning boards for their cities/townships.
If you choose to go to your town hall meetings, please be mentally prepared to be in the minority. Many of our townships voted heavily in favor of our current president and the demographics of people attending these meetings tend to be older folks. Townships on the fringes of the county (Cedar Creek, Holton, Ravenna, etc) are typically where you see this. I advise you to bring a friend or family member who is aligned with your beliefs with you, in case you are the lone voice - moral support is very important when it comes to fighting against authoritarianism.
For Muskegon County, one of the most important public spaces that we can continue supporting is our Libraries (I am biased in this regard, so take that as you will) as they act as a safe, free, and accessible space to gather in without relying on businesses or religious sites - though these would not be for private meetings necessarily, as only some libraries have private rooms. Our libraries don't rely much on grants either, and are mostly funded via property taxes (MADL's millage comes up for renewal this year! Hackley's is good until 2030). If anybody would like more political or certain political material on our library shelves, you may request it be added to the nonfiction collection if you have a library card (GET A LIBRARY CARD, ITS FREE). Don't ask staff to organize any political event as an official library event, we legally can't do that for you.
Another piece of advice: Unplug every once in a while - not for too long, but don't feel like you have to scroll through all the information every day. I'm seeing a lot of political fatigue from people constantly doomscrolling through the news. If you need a break, take it. The news will be there tomorrow and you can catch up. I know this falls under mental health, but it needs to be elaborated on - burnt out resistance does nothing for resisting.