This is a spiritual battle, a battle between the forces of life, love, peace, justice, caring for the future generations, against the forces of greed, selfishness, and ruthlessness toward the people and our children and grandchildren, not to mention all the other creatures on the planet.
Many people are responding to the situation with very appropriate thinking and actions. The following suggestions are meant to be a helpful guide.
1) Be clear that we are in an emergency situation. We only have a few months to prevent fascism, and can't wait until the next election. We have to pace ourselves, but work as hard as we can right now. We have to meet, lobby, write, demonstrate, - do everything we can and more.
2) Take care of ourselves. Breathe, don't be overwhelmed by the shock and awe tactics, get enough sleep and exercise, eat well, take time to relax.
3) Ask everyone you know- family and friends, what they are doing to stop Trump. Point out that we can't afford apathy any more. Get them mobilized as much as you can.
4) Reach out to Trump supporters. Don't waste time with hardcore right wingers. Many people still feel it's only fair to give him a chance, or that the President should be respected. We all have relatives or friends in this category. They might be open to looking at the reality of what he is doing Explain how he and his policies are dangerous and must be resisted.
5) We can learn much from the Standing Rock Hunkpapa. This small tribe was able to interrupt the building of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) for nearly a year. Using only nonviolent methods, the Lakota have mobilized support from over 200 Native American tribes, were backed by millions of people. They call themselves Protectors, not protestors, protectors of their sacred land and water, which they hold in trust for future generations. Though the pipeline is being completed under Trump, who is a major investor, the battle is continuing through the courts, and many other pipeline projects are being held up now.
Some of their lessons: Restoring a sense of the sacred is effective. Nonviolence works. Courage and willingness to endure hardship are essential to success. The enthusiasm of young people is crucial. Perseverance furthers. Social media forms an essential tool. Believe in miracles.
6) Like sailors on a sinking ship, we need to pray for help. This may not seem like a practical suggestion, but it actually accomplishes many things. It helps us to remain nonviolent in the face of provocation, and put our egos aside in the interest of the greater good. It opens us to wisdom and inspiration. We can pray for courage, stamina, calm- the qualities we need personally to sustain us during these hard times.
7) Timothy Snyder, author of On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century , gives instructions for preventing tyranny from getting established: Don't obey in advance. Believe in truth. Stand out. Defend institutions. Be calm but as courageous as you can be.
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