SixStrongHands

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I saw your post about getting active and I decided that the best time to get active was years ago, but the second best time was now. As it is though, I have no connections to activist communities — I’m kind of insular where I am, and I don’t know where to start. How do I find communities and groups to work with and do hands on activism?

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Asked by imperatorsapphiosa

I’ll put together a list but I want to do it right so it’s gonna take me a min, I probably won’t get it to you for a couple of days, I’m sorry.

I’m really proud of you for deciding to get involved in the work. We need you, like for real, we really need you.

For the moment, practice deliberate and disciplined self-care; protect your resources (your body and heart and mind). Look for opportunities of practical empathy in your home, in your neighborhood, in your town. Look for abused women’s shelters and find out what they need right now. Look at your library community bulletin boards, see if there are any groups posting meetings or requests. Ask people in your friend or family circles to donate to abortion funds. Find out how the disenfranchised people in your community get their information and work to make sure they’re looped in and alerted and educated about resources and opportunities. Does anyone need their cell phone bill paid? Does someone need a smartphone and a data plan? Does someone need a laptop and/or wifi? Do they need help setting up encrypted messaging apps and email accounts? Do they need basic transportation? Do they need prepaid bus cards? Are there programs and resources that are already in place to help them but they need help navigating the application process? Are there any administrative burdens you could take on or assist them with? Do they need help setting up a Venmo or some other financial apps?

Follow Robert Evans and Margaret Killjoy on Twitter and listen to their podcasts about movement building and mutual aid support. Read and listen to everything Amy Westervelt and Mary Annaise Heglar have ever said, about anything, ever (esp climate justice stuff). Follow and read Sarah Kendizor so you understand why this happened and what’s going to happen next.

Remember that solidarity is the only way forward. If people around you seem to be more into gatekeeping and bitching, look for more functional people elsewhere.

I’ll put together a list for you asap, a more formal, thought-out one. I’m grateful for you, hang in there xoxoxo