Given the constant barrage of bad news saturating our media environment, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. From the widespread misinformation to the blatant attacks on human rights, the Trump administration’s dictatorial takeover of America paints a bleak picture of this country’s future.
Trump has deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to a torture prison in El Salvador, fired thousands of federal workers in multiple government agencies and thrown the global economy into chaos with on-and-off tariffs, according to Reuters and the Associated Press (AP).
Despite everything that is happening right now, there is still hope. Your voice matters, and you can make a big difference in the fight against fascism.
It is important to recognize that our exhaustion from reading today’s news is deliberate. In Canadian author and social activist Naomi Klein’s 2007 book “The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism,” she argues that politicians use economic and political chaos to push unpopular social policy.
Ordinary people, feeling powerless to fight back against the constant attacks, give up and stop watching the news altogether. It is hard to blame them for doing so, especially if they live in a red state such as Louisiana.
The first step to resisting fascism is getting out of the mindset that we are powerlessly watching as our country is torn apart. Doing nothing allows Trump to continue dismantling democracy.
Though it may seem like you are one voice in a sea of thousands, you are not alone. According to the AP, over 1,200 protests broke out in all 50 states organized by more than 150 groups, including LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans and election activists. From Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon, these “Hands Off!” demonstrations featured thousands of people chanting “Fight Oligarchy” and “Hands off our democracy.”
You may think that holding up a sign in the middle of the street is pointless, but over a thousand protests across the country show that there are more people in opposition to the Trump administration’s actions than you may think. These events are a show of solidarity, and they could lead to even more people joining the cause.
The best course of action to make a move is to organize. Whether by joining a student organization on ULM’s campus or by taking part in activist groups, students can get involved with communities that share their values and allow them to voice their opinions about various issues. Strength comes in numbers.
Spreading the message is important. Emotionally driven ideas have more impact than factual ones, which is why Trump was able to gain such a large following. The Trump administration’s actions have drastic consequences for working-class people, minorities and everyday citizens throughout the country. Pointing that out may resonate with a lot of people who are being affected by the administration’s actions.
Besides organizing protests on the streets, you can also go to town hall board meetings and other government gatherings. Students have the right to attend these events and speak during the time normally allotted for public comment. The Town of Monroe website provides dates of their government meetings, with town board meetings happening on Mondays every other week. Whether you come alone or bring friends, these events provide you with an opportunity to speak your mind on important issues.
If face-to-face confrontation is not something you are used to, try calling or emailing your local and state representatives. These individuals are paid to listen to and support their constituents.
Whether your efforts will be successful is out of the question. If there is any chance that we will succeed, defying the Trump administration’s attack on democracy is worth the risk because the alternative is unthinkable. No matter the cost, we must do everything we can to prevent America’s fascist future.
