Developed 3/24/25
It is clear that the war we are fighting is not about changing laws, policies, practices, and procedures but it is about owning the historical narrative and changing the hearts and minds of America’s citizens. We are in a moment where if we are not paying attention to protecting and centering our history, we will become, as Frederick Douglass once said of the Democratic Party, “apostles of forgetfulness.” We can not forget nor can we allow them to forget by erasing our history, destroying our historical relics and markers, or controlling our narrative. We are fighting to preserve our democracy and we must understand that we are not powerless and we can not give in to fear. We can choose to fight and practice small daily acts of intentional resistance. Our ASALH Magna Carta is a as a reminder that democracy belongs to us; we are the people! It outlines some of the ways that you can get started. We invite you to add to this list as we work together to save (or rebuild) our democracy.
1. Find the organizations and institutions doing the work you agree with and defend them with everything you have (not just with your thoughts and prayers). I often say, give your tithes to your church and give your offerings to these organizations and institutions. The fight is real, and it is not cheap.
2. Create local communities of action and accountability where you can work together to demand justice and equality. Audre Lorde teaches us that “the master’s tools cannot dismantle the master’s house,” but I believe that they can be used to disrupt the natural tendency to normalize the horror and terror we are experiencing now.
3. Show Up and be present in spaces where you are not expected to be, so you should plan to attend as many community political meetings as you can to speak up about what is happening in this country. You should phone bomb your Republican and Democratic Representatives: flood their inboxes, write them, call them, tweet them, visit them: do not let up because they will take your silence as a form of being complicit.
4. Create a Report Card to grade your Representatives and circulate it among members of Congress. Let them know that you are watching what they are doing and will hold them accountable.
5. Write Opinion Editorials for your local newspaper. All national movements begin locally, so speak to your immediate circle of influence –your co-workers, neighbors, teachers, church members, and family and keep them informed and challenge/encourage them to join the resistance.
6. Do not discount the power of a well-organized and planned march. People power pulls attention and a spotlight –use it to amplify your message and widen your base.
7. You must lead the leaders, so instead of waiting for your elected officials to set the Agenda, you work with your team to set it for them. Make them hear you and make them work for you. Make it costly for them to pivot, appease, or bend the knee in support of the issues that are detrimental to your community and our democracy.
8. Vote with your money! Make intentional, thoughtful purchases as often as you can. Shop local, buy small, and keep the money circulating within your community. *Remember that the large chain store you are boycotting has employees who are not part of the Board but are working and surviving off the minimum wages they are making. Your economic choice also impacts them. Work within your communities to set up mechanisms to support those who will be severely economically impacted if the store you are boycotting closes or reduces the number of staff.
9. Real change happens when you are inside the room—so consider whether it is time to run for office. We need to put people in place with the intestinal fortitude to stand up for us and fight for and with us.
10. Using every platform you have, tell the truth about who we are and what we have contributed to this country. Discredit every lie and every half-truth at every opportunity that you have. Deny them victory and legitimacy.
