What YOU can do about Trump’s ban
In case you haven’t heard, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order on Friday that:
- bans travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries — Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen — from entering the United States for the next 90 days;
- places a four-month hold on refugees from entering the country.
Because, you know, refugees can always just chill in the country they’re trying to flee.
The federal court managed to halt the immigration ban, which is an incredible victory, but as you can imagine, the result has been utter chaos, with travellers being detained at airports for hours on end only to be sent back; with thousands of refugees, who were finally going to enter the country, having their hopes dashed — honestly, the details are heartbreaking and endless, and have been covered by every news source for you to explore.
In moments like there, it can feel like we’re falling into a pit of helplessness. But as Amos Oz once said:
“Every one of us has to choose confronting a big fire. Every one of us has a teaspoon. Fill it with water and throw it in the fire. The teaspoon is very small and the fire is very large, but there are many of us and every one of us has a teaspoon. I do what I can as a teacher, as a writer, as a neighbour, as a citizen to pour some water on the flames of hatred and incitement and fanaticism and bigotry and prejudice. I have words and I use words. My words are my teaspoon. This is what I can do.
What can you do?”
Time to get your teaspoon out.
Teaspoon 1: Reach out
Reach out to your Muslim friends, your Middle Eastern/African co-workers. Make it clear that you stand with them, that they are loved, that if they need anything that you’re there.
Do the same for your local mosque. I remember the first news article I ever wrote was about a mosque that was vandalized. This was back in 2014, long before Trump’s campaign. Since then, such crimes have only become more frequent and more violent. Reach out to your local Muslim community to ensure that they know they are welcome and supported. The same goes for local Sudanese, Syrian, Iranian, etc., organizations and communities.
Teaspoon 2: Talk to your elected officials
Now’s probably a good time to get over your fear of talking over the phone, because calling your local representative is more effective than emailing — and definitely puts on more pressure than tweeting. (If you can, do all three).
Step 1) Find out who your representative is — (Canadian’s visit this link).
Step 2) Call them. Tell them you are one of their constituents, tell them what your concerns are and urge them to do whatever’s in their power to protect those affected.
Step 3) Show up for town halls. Town halls are public meetings where community members can speak to their local representation, raise concerns and offer input. They’re generally more serious than this:
Teaspoon 3: Protest
Protests aren’t what they used to be. As Zeynep Tufekci wrote this week, "What used to be an endpoint is now an initial spark." However, that doesn’t mean protests aren’t still an invaluable tool in activism.
Having hundreds or thousands gather in protest still tells those affected, by whatever is being protested, that there are people who stand with them. And it obviously sends a message to government.
Teaspoon 4: Money, money, money
I’m not saying give up your life savings, but even the most cash-strapped among us should be able to find $5 or $50 to donate to organizations doing critical legwork. Here’s a short list:
ACLU Nationwide
International Refugees Assistance Project
International Rescue Committee
Don’t forget to keep a receipt for taxes!
Teaspoon 5: Stay informed
I have to edit articles about politics every day, which at times can be pretty emotionally draining. It’s important not to overload yourself, but staying informed is paramount. How can you fight something if you don’t know what it is, where it started and how it’s changing?
And if Trump’s first dramatic week in office has proven anything, it’s that everything can change within a blink of an eye.
Honestly, I’m looking for more ideas, so if you have any more teaspoons, comment below! If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please click the yellow heart below and share.
