Choosing acceptance instead of intolerance
This weekend, my wife reminded me that the president’s “transgender military ban” had just gone into effect. Then she took a deep breath and exhaled, saying softly, “Kids are going to die.”
As a crisis counselor for LGBTQIA+ youth, she would know. Experience has shown her the risk and reality of trans kids dying by suicide. The president’s sanctioned hatred further threatens their brave, sometimes precarious wellbeing. I wondered, earnestly failing,
What can I do to stop him? What can I do to let trans people know their lives matter?
My wife gave me the answer: She showed up for her shift as a crisis volunteer. She talked to three young people, listened with empathy, shared resources, and let them know they weren’t alone.
That’s how.
Choosing unity over division
All the ugliness of intolerance rose up with cobra-headed venom when the president threatened Rep. Ilhan Omar—an elected Black, Muslim, immigrant woman—on Twitter. Hateful people followed his lead to threaten her too. Likewise hissing, the New York Post ran an inflammatory front page story targeting Rep. Omar. In the face of this inhumanity, you can’t help but wonder,
How on earth can we stop this? How do we tell our Black and Muslim and immigrant neighbors that their lives matter?
Bodega owners in New York City showed us the answer. They banded together—hundreds of them—refusing to sell the Post indefinitely. Sure, at most bodegas, you can still pick up coffee, sandwiches, and any other paper. But the Post? Nope. Bodega owners won’t take part in hatred.
That’s how.
Let history to be written through us
On the surface, one small act might seem too small, even inconsequential. There are no easy solutions to the challenges assaulting our neighbors and our nation. In fact, we would be most helpful to this administration if we simply shut down and shut up.
The truth is the story is still unfolding. It is premature to decide that small steps are futile. We must give history a chance to be written through us.
Which reminds me of the words of Mother Teresa:
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
In that spirit, think of how trans teens feel receiving acceptance in the face of intolerance. Think of how Black people, Muslim Americans, and immigrants feel knowing bodega owners choose them. The power of taking action comes not from the size or impact, but in choosing to extend loving service to our neighbor.
As you look over this week’s AoC Checklist, find one thing—and choose to do it with great love. That alone is enough.
Thank you, Jen, for your inspiring message each week. Your words do carry inspiration, love and motivation that fuels me to do at least one thing each week, even when the whole Trump mess seems overwhelming. Thank you so much for all you are doing to keep me, and US, going!
Thank you, I needed this message today. I will be carving out an hour or two today to do all the actions. Your work makes it accessible to make a difference and inspires me to act. Thank you.
Thank you for that quote from Mother Theresa. I also needed a boost this week. You make calls and sign petitions and carry on taking care of your family and sometimes you need reminding that being kind and treating others from love still matters. All those being treated with hatred in this country need to see that there are millions of American that support them and will stand up to protect them. So, I’ll keep up my efforts even if some weeks it seems ineffective or small.
Thank you so much for this message. I really needed to hear it.
When you first started your list, I chose to focus on immigration, because, except for Native Americans, we are ALL immigrants; LGBTQ issues, because no matter what “race, color, or creed” my LGBTQ friends are, they are treated poorly by the majority of my fellow country people, when, in fact, another’s sexual orientation is no one’s business but their own; and women’s rights because I cannot believe I am still treated as a lesser being simply because of my gender. Your list has helped keep me focused, although often I take on another issue, too. Nonetheless, I appreciate you for all the research, guidance, kind words, and loving support you provide because, thanks to all that, I will have the energy, faith, and wherewithal to see this through until we finally get rid of That Man and his sick cronies and set our country back on some semblance of the right path.
Two new friends and I decided to form a group in the back seat of our car on the way home from the Women’s March in 2016. We try to think of ways actively participate in the resistance. Your lists serve as a starting point. It is truly a source of inspiration and information. We always read the good news at the end. Our latest action? Fourteen of us went to eat lunch at El Paso Authentic Restaurant in Plainville, CT. The owner was needlessly deported in December. He had been here for 22 years. His wife and daughters are trying to keep the restaurant going in his absence. Resistance has never tasted so delicious! Thank you for everything you do.
Thanks for keeping up… we are all tired, but have to persist! Today, you inspired me to send emails to my Senators and Congress about the NO BAN Act. I wrote both of my state legislators about Gerrymandering. And I pulled out my post card stamps and thanked Rep Escobar for her leadership. Together, we can make a difference.
Your words are very inspiring to me. Thank you.
This lifts the spirit, fills the heart and helps to hang onto some trust in mankind. I shared many times. Thank you thank you ..
Your letter brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for the uplifting, encouraging message. And please, as the mom of a trans teen, thank your wife for me.
This week I took actions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. I’m going to try to do the others on Friday afternoon. Some weeks I do all of them, some I only manage to do one, but I always, always appreciate the time and effort you all put into this list. Thank you. <3 <3 <3