A Brief Guide For Resisting Trump, Wherever You Are

Whether you're marching or not, whether you identify as an activist or just a concerned citizen, here are ways to take a step in the right, progressive direction on day one of Donald J. Trump's America, since the 45th president, if his inaugural speech is any indication, only seems to be going backwards.

If you are able or so choose, there are hundreds and hundreds of sister marches happening across the globe on Saturday, in addition to the Women's March in Washington D.C.. For a full list, visit here.

Watch documentaries about social causes likely to be under threat in a new administration, like Ava DuVernay's The 13th. Go to a museum or gallery and see some political art. Open your eyes to Trump's divisive rhetoric.

Seek out stories, especially from voices who may not have the privilege of being heard as loudly as others. Like Lin-Manuel Miranda did on the day of the inauguration, listen to the Hamilton soundtrack. Or listen to our coping playlist.

If you're marching, do your research beforehand to have a historical understanding of what your presence means. Arm yourself with purpose and information. Read about those who aren't marching and why. If you're at home, take a deep-dive into some long-reads. As always, don't be distracted by the tweets. Look at the cold, hard facts instead.

Write a sternly worded letter to your representatives, or heck, Trump himself. There are people whose job it is to make sure your letters get under his spray-tanned skin. If you have a broad social media platform, in fact, if you have a platform at all, speak out about the issues that matter.

Better yet, pick up a phone and call your local representatives in Congress and tell them which issues are important to you, why, and what you would like to see change. If you're nervous or unsure about what to say and how, here's a helpful guide. If your own representatives are anti-Trump, then reach out to friends in republican districts and urge them to get on the phone. Call your mother. Call your grandmother.

Show solidarity by showing up, but also on social media. Follow organizers, activists, and writers on social media and stay informed. On the day of the march, it might also be helpful to be a go-between for your friends who might not be able to reach each other on the ground or connect to internet. Whatever you do, bring yourself closer to others.

For a list of progressive organizations to donate to, click here.

Whether it's your family or friends — or even your neighbors whom you've never spoken to — reach out, invite people over, hear them out, and form a plan of action for the next four years. You can hold each other accountable. Find ways to get involved with local politics. For a list of possible places to volunteer, click here.

No one person can be expected to take on the burdens of the world. Well, maybe the president. But since you're thankfully not a Trump, if the best thing for you right now is to book a flight to a far-flung country, so be it. Invest in self-care. But always stay informed.

For more other, more comprehensive plans of action, visit here, here, and here.