Cross-posted at Huffington Post.
As the presidential inauguration approaches, our country is preparing for a transition of power that will be vastly different than any in recent history. Since the election, we have seen protests break out across the country, a rise in hate crimes, and one of the most divisive political climates in modern history. In fact, the Women’s March on Washington is expected to be one of the largest demonstrations in American history and the largest mass mobilization any new administration has seen on its first day.
Many are fearful of what the next four years under a Trump presidency will entail, especially members of marginalized communities — women, Muslims, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other minority groups. Trump’s actions since securing the presidency do not provide much comfort. His rhetoric on crime spread fear about a nationwide crime wave, even though the overall crime rate remains near historic lows. His pick for Attorney General, Sen. Jeff Sessions, has a history of blocking criminal justice reform and a dubious history of enforcing voting rights. And although several of Trump’s Cabinet picks rejected the idea of a Muslim registry, there are legitimate concerns about how the administration will treat Muslims.
As a new president takes office, many wonder: what can I do to make a difference? Here are five ideas:
- Donate to organizations that advocate for democracy and fight voting restrictions that unfairly target minorities.
The right to vote is at the heart of American democracy. But today, that right is under siege. Following the election, the president-elect made the stunning and baseless claim that millions voted illegally. The Justice Department could roll back voting rights in key cases. We could see a resurgence of restrictive laws in the states this year. Donate now to stand with the Brennan Center as we fight to safeguard the voice of every voter. Other organizations working on this important issue include: ACLU, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Project Vote, Vote Riders, Common Cause and many more.
- Learn about local prosecutors’ races — and vote.
Prosecutors have an enormous amount of discretion in our justice system, and with it, the ability to do right — or wrong. Races in Birmingham and Houston in November proved that reform-minded public servants can campaign on ending mass incarceration, and win. Make sure to learn what’s on your ballot and vote in every election, big and small.
- Get involved in local government.
The next generation of leaders won’t be created overnight. If you want to make a difference, learn how your local government works, and get involved. In New York City, that starts at the community board level, where you can learn about issues in your area and, eventually, have a voice in them. You’ll build relationships with your neighbors, learn what matters to them, and get involved in local political races. State and local government is how many American leaders got their start, including Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson.
- Protect your data.
The Trump administration will soon direct the most sophisticated surveillance apparatus the world has known, which means that privacy will be more important than ever. One of the most effective ways to guard against eavesdropping on your phone calls and text messages is to encrypt them, rendering the content indecipherable to prying eyes. There are some popular free apps that will do the job and are easy to use, although anyone you message this way will need to have the app installed too. For online browsing, consider using Tor, a free web browser that anonymizes your activity and masks your location. And finally, be picky about privacy when deciding whether to trust a private company with your data. Some companies keep more information about you than others, and some have a history of challenging government overreach while others do not (see here for details on how some of the largest companies stack up).
- See something, say something.
In the wake of 2016 campaign, bullying, bigoted harassment, and hate crimes targeting groups such as Muslims and immigrants have increased significantly. The “Trump Effect,” as some researchers call it, cannot be resisted solely through legislation and the courts, although both remain major resources in combating efforts that infringe upon our civil liberties. One of the most effective ways to guard against bullying and bigotry is to ensure those who are being targeted feel welcome, and in a new spin on “See something, say something” always stand up and intervene on behalf of someone being harassed. As a 2014 campaign in Australia demonstrated, such acts of compassion can take various forms ranging from showing solidarity on social media to offering your time to a stranger in need of support.
Most importantly, stay involved and make your voice heard! For the latest updates on the fight to defend our Constitution and American ideals, follow the Brennan Center on Facebook and Twitter.
*A special thank you to Ames Grawert, Andrew Lindsay, and Michael Price for their contributions to this post.
(Main Photo: Flickr.com/GageSkidmore)