“WHAT CAN WE DO”? The echoes of this are getting louder, aren’t they?
Like you, I woke up with despair upon hearing the news the morning of November 6th. I was sad, angry, heartbroken, you name it, when I thought about what the next four years of life would be like. And I asked myself the same question, what can I do?
As a former journalist, I always admired the work of Jim Acosta. When he quit CNN on the air, and turned up on Substack, I followed him. His early guests all echoed the same thing “Get involved at the grassroots level, that’s where it matters.”
Then I saw that Neighbors for Change was hosting a petition signing event to get Democratic candidates on the November ballot, so I went. I immediately felt at home with like-minded people, and said, “Sign me up, I’m in.” Before long, I was sitting around a kitchen table in Wyndham with the most amazing people who all want to make a difference, and I have been involved every day since.
So, what can You do at the grassroots level?
*As Democratic Political Consultant James Carville has said, Virginia has the most important gubernatorial election in the country this November. This is where grassroots efforts really make a difference. It is imperative that we elect Abigail Spanberger as our next Governor. (You may have noticed her opponent, Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is looking more polished in her campaign ads for Governor, but do not forget the TV commercials from four years ago, where she was proudly carrying assault rifles in her campaign ads).
What do you want Virginia to look like for your family after November? For me, it’s an easy answer. I will proudly help to get Spanberger elected as Virginia’s first female governor.
*Get to know your local reps! Donate and volunteer where you can! It is so important that we keep Virginia blue, especially as more issues are getting passed down to the states. State representatives will be busy trying to counter the assault on our democracy that is happening in DC, and it’s important that we support candidates with our values.
*Have you been to a protest? It is so satisfying to spend hours around people who align with your values. And the crowds keep getting bigger! It is important for us to show up and show out against the chaos in D.C. If you are leery of protesting, check out our protest guide here.
*Use your voice! Most everyone has a social media presence – do not be afraid to share what your beliefs are, it may just encourage others to do the same. Be sure to share from reliable sources! We have a guide of resources that we trust.
*I had never been involved politically. Last summer, I volunteered with Henrico Democrats to phone bank (call voters), I even phone banked for swing states! It’s easy – they give you a script and all you have to do is chat with people.
As we get closer to the November election, there will be many volunteer opportunities. You can write postcards, you can volunteer at the polls, you can donate. (I did all the above before the 2024 election for the first time in my life).
*Know that everyone has something different to offer. If you’re reading this, thinking I don’t know what I would do, please know that we all have unique gifts that are important to make a bigger impact. It takes all of us to fight back.
Neighbors for Change is not the only grassroots political organization in the Richmond area. There are a bunch – often broken up by voting districts. There is something for everyone. Do they work? If you ask the American Bar Association who has spoken out on it, the answer is: more than you think.
