Politics has certainly taken a turn in the past year with the British vote for Brexit and America’s recent election of Donald Trump. It seems as if we are going backwards now, becoming more antagonistic instead of striving for more equality. With all of the political and social upheaval happening around the world today, it is easy to feel helpless. But you are not powerless. There are plenty of things that you can do right here in Exeter to help make a difference:
1. Stay Informed
The first thing you must do in order to keep up to date with what is going on in the world and what you want to protest is to stay informed. In this age of technology, it’s so easy to do so. Follow a variety of news sources on Twitter (make sure you’re not just following left or right-leaning sources to ensure that you’re getting your facts as unbiased as possible); BBC News is a good place to start. Or, make a news site your default homepage. I get the Skimm every day, which is an email newsletter that breaks down what’s going on in the world in an easy-to-understand way (though it is a bit US-centric). Ozy is another newsletter that does similar things, though I have not tried it yet. Bottom line is: no matter where you get your news, make sure you know what’s going on in the world. Then you’ll know when you need to do something.
2. Attend Protests and Rallies
By now, everyone’s probably heard of the Women’s March on Washington that sparked sister marches across in the world (including all over the UK) and was the biggest international protest in recorded history. It sent a strong message to political leaders in Washington that the world is watching America and that people are not happy. Protests like this are an important means for making your voice heard. It may feel like one more person there won’t make a difference, but the more people are at a protest or rally, the louder the message is. You don’t even have to travel very far to protest what is happening in the world—Exeter often hosts its own demonstrations, like the one against Trump’s immigration ban on January 30th. If there’s a cause you believe in, get out there and be a part of a protest. Many voices together can spark change.
3. Contact Your Representatives
Your members of Parliament are there to represent you and your beliefs – so if there is something you feel strongly about, contact them! It takes just a few seconds to google who your MP is and find their contact information. From there, you can call or email them to let them know how you feel about an issue. It may not feel like you’re making much of a difference, but if many people are contacting their representatives about the same issue, they’ll take note.
4. Volunteer Locally
Just because it feels like all of the big decisions are happening elsewhere doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference here in Exeter. If you feel passionately about refugees, see if you can get involved with Exeter’s refugee support organisation, Refugee Support Devon to help refugees right here in the south west. If you’re worried about climate change, check out some of the Volunteering Society’s events to help clean up Dartmoor. Exeter’s Volunteering Society has tons of projects that you can get involved in to better the community. Helping on a small scale can still make a difference.
5. Donate to Causes You Care About
I get it, we’re all broke Uni students and we don’t have loads of money to give away. But every little bit does help, and money is a major way to create change. Even just £10 or £20 can help a charity provide food for a homeless person or legal advice for a refugee. Here is a list of charities that could use your support to combat Donald Trump’s policies. There are also plenty of UK-based charities that could use your support, from the British Red Cross to the International Planned Parenthood Federation. Do some research about causes you care about to find a charity that works towards something you believe in.
6. Sign Petitions
Petitions get a bad rap for being an easy form of political participation, but they can make a statement. For example, the petition to prevent Donald Trump from making a state visit to the UK made the government pay attention, and Parliament will at least discuss the proposal. Like marches, petitions can show the government how many people are upset about a certain policy or want a change. They won’t always be successful, but it doesn’t hurt to try. It usually takes less than a minute to sign a petition, so if you see one for a cause you care about, why not add your name?
7. Stay Active on Social Media
Social media activism also gets a bad rap, but it can also still help make change. Tweeting at members of Parliament or US Congress, if part of a larger movement directed at them, can make them listen to the message people are trying to tell them. Posting about politics on your Facebook page can bring issues to light that your friends may not have considered—if they take the time to read and listen to what you have to say. Likewise, it can be helpful to read and listen to the issues your friends bring up that you may not have considered.
There are also movements you can join that use social media to try to enact change, like the Injustice Boycott. When you sign up for emails from Shaun King, the organiser, he tells you a problem and direct actions you can take to help fight it. Oftentimes it actually creates change. For example, very recently Seattle’s city council voted to divest the city’s funds from Wells Fargo, a bank that is helping to fund the Dakota Access Pipeline. By divesting from the Bank, Seattle is sending a strong message to Wells Fargo that it will continue to lose business if it supports such an immoral project (the pipeline runs right through Native American sacred ground, and has been heavily protested). Shaun King directed his supporters to check into the rally that was happening in Seattle and tweet at the city council members urging them to vote to divest, and his strategy worked. So, when social media activism is used an organised and directed way, it can have a substantial impact.
8. Be Greener
If you’re worried about the impact decisions like Brexit and Trump will have on the environment, the easiest thing to do is to start with yourself. Certainly advocate for laws that will help protect the environment, but it is also important to make sure you are making a conscious effort to be as green as possible too. Try to decrease the time you spend in the shower by a few minutes, make sure to recycle as much as possible, and walk more places rather than driving or taking a bus. The changes each of us make in our own lives can make a difference. Before you criticize the government’s actions, make sure you’re taking steps to create change in your own life as well.
In this age of political upheaval, it can feel like nothing you do matters. But there are plenty of ways for you to make a difference. So get out there and get working!