When the clock strikes midnight on January 1st I, like many of you, will be mostly relieved that the year is over and partly terrified of what is going to happen next. 2016 was a dumpster-fire. Most days felt like we were being sat on by the school bully as he continuously repeats “Why are you hitting yourself?” Looking toward 2017, here are some ways we can move past the hate. Please add your own suggestions in the comments!
1. Give.
There are so many ways to give. A quick Google search of your area for volunteer opportunities is often all that is needed. For smaller towns, churches and community centers can point you in the direction of where to help out. To get started, look at Volunteer Match or United Way websites. If you are a college student, check with your student services or student life office to see which departments on campus take volunteers. Many campus women’s centers, lgbt centers and campus health centers will be in need.
Money is the most simple, yet needed, way to donate. Consider picking an organization and setting up a monthly donation via credit/debt card. It’s an easy way to give much needed assistance. (See the end of this list for suggested organizations.) Some employers will also set up automatic donations through your paycheck. (The most awesome employers might match what you give.)
2. Learn.
Knowledge is power. In 2017, diversify the media you read/watch/listen to. Find out as much as you can about what is happening in the world and don’t take one piece of media as the final word. Read. Read everything, books included. For a while I got in the habit of “reading” at night which was mostly flipping through website after website, not really ingesting much and not exercising my imagination. Books are key to any act of rebellion.
Watch documentaries. In an era of streaming, many are made available. As with any media, pay attention to who created the film and learn about them. Challenge yourself by watching something outside of your comfort zone. I have listed some books and documentaries at the end of this article to get you started. What have you read/watched lately?
3. Run
I mean “run” both literally and figuratively. Staying active helps keep our minds sharp. Running/walking are easy ways to get your body moving. (And this is coming from a person who once came in last place during a 5k.) Find what works for you. Yoga your deal? Namaste. Crossfit is your jam? Throw those tires, girl. Trampoline’s make you happy? Cool. Skiing is what makes you feel alive? Better you than me. An added bonus? There are tons of 5k’s for charity taking place all the time. Check out active.com or Running in the USA for more info.
You can also run for office. This may sound daunting, so let me tell you a story about my friend Tracy. Tracy and I met in graduate school in 2007 and a few years ago she ran for local office. She lost. Did that stop her? No. Tracy channeled her inner Leslie Knope, ran for a county commission seat in her town this past fall and won. Tenacity is a great quality to nurture. If you have interest in local elections, check out How To Run For Office for some tips.
4. Organize
Maybe organizing people is your strength. There are tons of organizations who rely on volunteers to help spread their message, several already have future marches planned and will eagerly take volunteers. Or, perhaps you want to build your own protest. Either way, social networking will be your best friend. Utilize the calendar resources available to gather folks and make sure you are following any local or city ordinances for public protesting. Check with your local city hall and read through Global Exchange or Tools for Change for tips.
5. Mentor
I am lucky enough to have graduated from Marlene’s School of Mentorship. (This is not a real school, but Marlene is a real person who deserves a real shout-out.) When I was in college Marlene took me under her wing and taught me how to be a professional woman, citizen, feminist, friend and future mentor. If you are lucky and, like myself many people have taken an interest in your goals, take what you have learned and mentor others. There are formal ways to do this (many jobs have opportunities to mentor folks in a structured capacity) as well as informal ways. Do you see someone at work who is struggling and might benefit from some one-on-one time? Ask them if they want to grab a coffee. Does the son of a friend seem a little lost? See if he wants to meet up for a meal and then use that opportunity to chat. Another way to approach mentorship is to contact organizations like Big Brother, Big Sister and see about being matched up with someone. There are also several organizations which offer mentoring to refugee families in your area. They will connect you with a family and you can practice English with them, assist as they become acclimated to American life, and help them navigate American social service systems. A simple Google search of “Mentoring Refugees in…” with your city tacked at the end will give you some options for programs to check out.
6. Laugh
We all need to laugh at the year that has past and the years ahead. Especially if that comedy is satirical, political and pulls no punches. Consider watching Commedianne Negin Farsad’s excellent documentary The Muslims are Coming. Engage in political satire shows like Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Or, just binge watch all seven seasons of Parks and Recreation. Even Chelsea Handler’s show on Netflix has taken on politics in a way I did not expect.
7. Play
Like Whitney said, “I believe the children are the future.” If you don’t have kids, spend some time as a volunteer, good neighbor, or as relief for parents who would just like ten minutes of silence. Playing with kids brings you back to the basics. Few things keep you on your toes as much as little ones, and if you are lucky enough, you can watch all your favorite movies and play your favorite games with someone who hasn’t seen or done either yet. Watching my almost two-year-old niece lose her mind over the octopus in Finding Dory was one of my highlights of 2016. Have kids? I thought this Pinterest page had some great ideas for getting kids to think outside of the box.
Another way to play is to volunteer at your local animal shelter and walk dogs, hold cats or do whatever is needed. Playing with animals is a great way to get outside of your head and offer up some love.
Whatever you decide, don’t lose hope. In the words of my hero, and V-Day founder, Eve Ensler,
“Now is the time to rise to our deepest selves and to love, love, love. Refuse the fascist. Refuse the bigot. Refuse the hate.”
2017 is upon us. Let’s go.
7 Books to Read: Fight Like a Girl: 50 Feminists Who Changed the World by Laura Barcella This book includes the well-known and the should-be-more-well-known feminist figures throughout history. It is a celebration of the feminist activists who fight for gender equality.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah If you are looking for a celebrity memoir about Noah’s rise to fame at The Daily Show, this book isn’t it. Rather, it is a brutal and honest account of his life growing up in South Africa as a child of Apartheid.
Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton Melton’s memoir is the story of what happens when the perfect life you have worked to create crumbles to the ground. Melton addresses addiction, eating disorders, motherhood and sex in this “brutiful” book.
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow Fine, I’m hopping on the Hamilton bandwagon. If you want to know more about the “ten dollar founding father without a father” pick up this book. With the state of U.S. politics today, it is helpful to understand how it all got started.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie This book should be required reading for everyone in every school. It should be taught with Lord of the Flies. Adichie addresses feminism as not just a U.S. concept, but illustrates the impressions and impact feminism has around the world.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert Many people ignore their creative side because it will “never make me money” or “never be shown to the public” or “it’s something I did as a kid.” Gilbert makes the case that living a creative life is always, first and foremost, about the creator. We do it for ourselves.
Gender and Pop Culture by Adrienne Trier-Bieniek and Patricia Leavy Ok, yes. I co-edited this one. But, if you want to understand more about how gender is presented and the ways pop culture has shaped ideas about gender, than check out our book.
7 Documentaries you can stream now:
13th – Mass incarceration of African-America men and women in the U.S. (Netflix)
The Rape of Europa – Stories about the art stolen by the Nazi’s during WWII. (Netflix)
Audrie and Daisey- Sexual assault in a cyber society. (Netflix)
Living on One Dollar – A group of friends live on one dollar a day in South America. (Netflix)
The Mask You Live In- How did Masculinity become ingrained in U.S. culture? (Netflix)
Class Divide – Gentrification’s effects on children in New York City. (HBO)
He Named Me Malala – The story of Malala Yousazai, “the girl who was shot by the Talliban.” (Hulu)
7 Organizations set to Change the World Together Rising - Refugee help. V-Day and City of Hope -Violence against women around the world. Madre -Women in war-torn countries. Human Rights Campaign -Advocating for the lgbtq community. Worldwide Orphans- Health and education services for children. Planned Parenthood -Local branches offering affordable women’s health care. The Conservation Fund -Environmental protection.