“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7

By Andrea Loewen
@andreaxuaxua

After the Women’s March in January, I felt strong and full of energy. The statement we made was so powerful. It also was not enough — unjust things are still happening in America and around the world. It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed by any big project, let alone something as mammoth as toppling a racist, sexist, and totalitarian regime. I didn’t want to give up, I want to make a difference, however small. So I did the one thing I do best: make lists and read articles that make my jaw drop in horror. Every month I’ll share my Resistance Research, including quotes, news, analysis, inspiration, and action items. Let’s break this regime down into actionable items and take it down, bit by bit!

If you have money:

1) Donate! Sign up for monthly giving if you can.

Consider the ACLU (here is a list of people currently matching donations to the ACLU), or look for a charity in your city that helps marginalized people.

2) Pay for your media. Subscribe to one of the newspapers that was banned from the Whitehouse.

If you have time:

1. Pick a charity that you wish you could donate to, and then volunteer for them instead.
2. Start to build a relationship with your local representative. It’s their job to talk to you – try setting a meeting to discuss your concerns.

These hot tips are just for Americans. Every country in some way will have to deal with Trump and respond to his actions. What do you want your government to do? How can you best take care of the marginalized within your own borders?

This Month’s Reading Material:

WTF List (Keeping Up With the News):

What the Fuck Just Happened Today: A daily update on what those Whitehouse folks got up to. The best place to make sure you are up-to-date on what’s actually happening.

Trump Media Survey: Read for yourself what Trump is doing to try to back up his media ban.

Week One: A summary of the first week of the Trump administration. Far more happened in one week than you might have ever expected.

Action Inspo and Instructionals:

Let these alternate guides and examples of resistance inspire you. 

1. The Indivisible Guide:  The best guide to starting a Resistance Movement I’ve seen yet.
2. Oh Crap! The World Is A Terrible Place: A crowdsourced collection of health, legal, and safety information for those who are afraid for their well-being.
3. From the Women’s March: 10 Actions in 100 Days: An ongoing set of actions to follow the Women’s March forward into change.
4. What Can People Outside the US Do?: A list of suggestions for those of us living outside the US.
5. Grab Your Wallet: A regularly-updated document of retailers that sell Trump brands, should you want to avoid them.
6. Things for Non-Muslims To Do: A thorough piece detailing how non-Muslims can be allies.
7. The Resistance Calendar: Michael Moore’s calendar of resistance activities happening in various cities.
8. Wheaton College Offers Refugees Scholarships: A number of institutions, including Wheaton, have offered various levels of protection or financial aid to those affected by the travel ban and Trump’s policies.
9. MOMA Protests by Hanging Art by Muslims: Following Trump’s travel ban, MOMA filled its halls with art from the majority-Muslim nations on the travel ban.
10. Masha Gessenon on Samantha Bee: Russian journalist Masha Gessenon hits the nail on the head when she predicts some of Trump’s actions. Heed her words.

Analysis, Opinion, and Enrichment

The guides below will help you better understand how and what is feeding the madness and expose you to perspectives different from your own (regardless of their direct connection to Trump’s madness).

1. 15 Works of Contemporary Literature By and About Refugees: Get to know their stories.
2. 8 Empowering Middle Grade Novels for Kids Interested in Social Justice: If Harry Potter has taught us anything, it’s that kids books have a lot to offer adults.
3. Triage, White Women: Are you a white woman who was bummed after the Women’s March that there seemed to be division and in-fighting among groups who were upset they weren’t included in the march? Here’s a useful perspective.
4. A Powerful Account of Racism in Canada: In case you thought it was only happening in the States.
5. A CBC documentary about Indigenous life in Canada
6. Big Data and the Election: A chilling look at how Big Data and online marketing (especially on Facebook) was used to sway the election – both the American election and Brexit referendum.
7. Is Chaos the New Normal?: Boston University History professor Heather Richardson on shock and chaos in the Trump administration.

Andrea is a Vancouver-based writer, theatre producer and promoter, choreographer, and yoga instructor with a big dose of love for sci fi/fantasy, her cat, green tea, riding her bike no matter the weather, and using a robot to vacuum her floors so she doesn’t have to.  She covers dance for Vancouver Presents, as well as writing for her own blog, The Receptionist and co-producing and co-hosting the podcast Life, Right?