Submitted by Andrea Perrault

As the Trump administration continues its march to Make America Great Again, it seems that on each day we are shocked by a new tweet, press release, or news item promoted by Sean Spicer, the Trump Press Secretary. There are so many issues that deeply concern us, as budget cuts or severe decimation seem likely: the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Endowment for the Arts, National Public Radio, the Public Broadcasting System, public education, the National Science Foundation, and, of course, Obamacare. While we may be disillusioned or downright depressed, we need to focus on the types of actions that will bring about collective action to save the things we hold dear. Consider the following:

There are so many issues that deeply concern us, as budget cuts or severe decimation seem likely: the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Endowment for the Arts, National Public Radio, the Public Broadcasting System, public education, the National Science Foundation, and, of course, Obamacare. While we may be disillusioned or downright depressed, we need to focus on the types of actions that will bring about collective action to save the things we hold dear. Consider the following

Rage Giving. This is a new term to me – promoted since the election – that denotes a phenomenon of concerned people stepping up to the plate by making charitable donations to organizations that exist to fund what we care about. A clear beneficiary of this trend has been the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Their coffers are exploding with new funding from those of us who value the organization’s mandate, which is critical in this new political era.

Marches for Unity. The Women’s March on the day after the Inauguration was an overwhelming success. In Boston, 175,000 people peacefully marched and demonstrated solidarity in opposition to the Trump agenda. Since then, civil rights groups, immigrant rights supporters, scientists, and environmentalists have organized to build movements and solidarity.

Senators and Congressional Representatives from Massachusetts. No state has more vocal resistance to the Trump agenda from its federal legislators than Massachusetts. From Senators Warren and Markey to our outstanding Congressmen and women (Rep. Moulton, Kennedy, Clark, Capuano, Lynch, and others) are making us all proud. Be sure to attend local meetings, and send them your letters and emails of support for the work they are doing.

Contact the media. If you are concerned that mainstream media is not doing enough to blunt the Trump message, then send the word to local newspapers, radio and TV stations: I want less promotion of Tweets, and more solid news about the damage that the Trump agenda will do to the services and agencies that support our communities. Let them all hear from us.

We all need to act to save the values we hold dear. Let’s hope our mobilization for good will turn the tide of cultural devastation.