#feeling unsafe as a Jewish person doesn’t mean I fear Muslims

[edenfenixblogs]

I am honestly still so upset that someone would criticize someone for posting in the jumblr tag about wanting to experience Jewish joy. Like, damn. It’s not like jews went into the free Palestine tag and started saying “let’s focus on us! Only our pain matters so let’s laugh at suffering Palestinians!” They went to a Jewish online community to ask for some examples of joy related to Judaism. Jewish buildings aren’t safe. In person gatherings aren’t safe. G-d forbid someone wants to experience a moment of respite from a terrible situation with people in the same boat.

I actually physically cannot understand this.

[di-glossia]

Anything we can do to protest Trump and his acts? Is there anything that will have an effect and actually put a stop (or at least slow down) his agenda? I'm really scared of all that's happening but I want to do something about it!

If you’re American, contact lawmakers and legal professionals. That means mayors, governors, representatives, senators, federal judges. Write emails and letters. Call. Voice your displeasure as you are able. If you are able to and feel safe doing so, go to protests.

The only way to circumvent executive power safely is to use the legislative and judicial channels. Judge Ann Donnelly has already halted deportations related to the Muslim ban. There are very clearly delineated ways each branch of the government can halt or even overturn the decisions of another and they were created with exactly this situation in mind. Now is the time to tell American lawmakers how you feel about the executive orders. All you have to do is go online and type in “[office] contact”. Almost everyone has a webpage. If not, go to a local library or City Hall and ask. Then write or call that person. Spam the hell out of them. Write them a new letter every day. Look up the actual names of executive orders, find out just how unqualified X Cabinet nominee is, explain why this or that opinion makes you feel unsafe. You or someone you know pays the taxes that keep these people in office. You have a right to make them listen.

If you’re not American, contact your lawmakers. Go to protests as you are able. Write scathing commentary that doesn’t attack Americans as a whole and that acknowledges that these executive orders are largely targeting American citizens and residents. Don’t turn your backs on Americans and don’t make this into a joke.

Most of all, everyone, listen. Listen to minority voices, especially Jewish, Muslim, and Native ones. They have been voicing their fears and legitimate complaints for years. They are under fire right now. Support them. Stop focusing on blaming those who elected Trump and start focusing on the broken American systems that allowed it to happen.

We are seeing a worldwide rise in fascism and xenophobia. While it’s tempting to consider this a stance of ignorance and hatred, history has shown that ultra-nationalism tends to appeal to those who feel disenfranchised and persecuted. We need to ask ourselves why Trump supporters feel/felt this way and how we can dismantle that way of thinking. We need to rally around experienced protesters and learn their tactics. We need to find out how we can change societal norms from those who have already done it. There is a wealth of experience in resistance in the US and the world. Nothing has ever changed because those in power went “huh, that’s a darn stupid idea”. So listen. Fight. Annoy your lawmakers with well-thought out pleas. Be prepared for the long haul. Resistance is a slow battle that needs to be fought in courtrooms and congresses; on paper, television, and social media as much as in the streets.