Like SO many Americans I am heartbroken, disgusted, and upset beyond words by the election of our next president: Donald Trump. I voted for Hillary, however I am and always will be a Bernie supporter. I want change, similar to people who voted for Trump. However, I want a more unified, accepting, loving, and kind country. I can’t make sense of this election. However, I will NOT be silenced. I have decided to take action. I will be donating to one nonprofit each week, until Donald Trump is sworn into office, on January 20, 2017. I am giving to nonprofits who will be impacted by Donald Trump’s presidency. Now is the time to: take action, become unified, fight for our rights, and heal. Healing takes time, the hurt and fear I feel from this election runs deep. I am genuinely fearful for the fate of many people in our country, including myself as a woman, but I will do all I can to spread light and love. Donald Trump will start his term as president in January 2017. We can no longer afford to think this isn’t a reality. Donald Trump will be our 45th president. Now is the time to take action, speak up, volunteer, donate to nonprofits, love harder, spread kindness further, and never lose hope. Instead of spending time thinking about this past election season, I will focus on the future. I will support nonprofits and all those who feel marginalized by the results of this election. I think it is incredibly important to support the communities who are hurting the most from these election results.
The day after the election, I donated to Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood is an organization protecting and fighting for women's rights and health everyday. They provide much needed services such as sexual health education, STI testing, birth control, women's and men's cancer screenings, affordable health care, and transgender hormone therapy. This is my personal protest: to take action to help organizations that are fearful for their existence because of our next president. Let's all come together and support each other and the organizations we care about. Below are the organizations I have chosen to support: Natural Resources Defense Council - works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. Supporting nonprofits who’s mission is to protect the earth is incredibly important, because Trump plans to back out of the Paris Agreement (the 2015 deal in which nearly every country put forth plans to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide). However, Trump has flip-flopped on many issues, so we have no idea which policies he will implement while in office. EarthJustice - the largest nonprofit environmental law organization in the country, committed to protecting wildlife, creating healthy (nontoxic) communities, and generating cleaner energy options. EarthJustice represents clients free of charge. Human Rights Campaign - the largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in the United States, representing over 1.5 million people in the LGBTQ community. This organization envisions a world where LGBTQ people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. The Human Rights Campaign has promised to continue it's mission for equality for all, despite the setback of the election results. Trump may appoint judges to the Supreme Court who will repeal the Marriage Equality Act, allowing for same-sex marriage. National Immigration Law Center - one of the nation's leading organizations exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants. Their work is perhaps more important than ever, because Trump has vowed to deport undocumented immigrants and wants to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) - the country’s largest anti-sexual-violence organization. RAINN is an important resource for survivors and has programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. Trump has been accused of several instances of sexual assault. This organization is a vital resource for women who are traumatized by the election of a man who has stated he can "grab a woman by the pussy." RAINN will continue to make assault support and prevention a top priority. Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) - fights hate and bigotry and seeks justice for the most vulnerable people in our society. The SPLC works towards a society in which the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality to all. The SPLC uses litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy to further their mission. This organization is very important after our president-elect ran on a campaign marked by racism, misogyny, hate, and misinformation. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) - seeks to remove barriers of racial discrimination, which is absolutely vital at this time. NAACP's mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. After the election of Trump, the organization stated "Even as we extend our congratulations to President-Elect Donald J. Trump, the NAACP, as America’s oldest and largest civil rights organization, must bluntly note that the 2016 campaign has regularized racism, standardized anti-Semitism, de-exceptionalized xenophobia and mainstreamed misogyny." YWCA - dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. At a time when a woman was so close to becoming our next president and breaking the ultimate glass ceiling, many women and young girls are feeling defeated. Now more than ever is the time to empower women. Currently, I am working for the YWCA and I have seen first-hand the various programs dedicated to empowering and advancing women and young girls, and the programs seeking to eliminate racism. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) - has been our nation’s guardian of liberty, working in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country. The ACLU vows to take Trump to court if he implements any of the policies he proposed that blatantly violate people’s civil liberties, including the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, banning the entry of Muslims into our country, punishing women for getting abortions, changing the country’s libel laws, and many more. Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)- the largest Islamic civil rights and advocacy group in the United States. Their mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. Trump has stated he would close down "extremist" mosques, now is the time to stand up for the rights of Muslim-Americans. CAIR vows to defend those in the community who fear for their rights and safety during this time. I would encourage everyone who is upset by the election results to take action. Please leave a comment with which organizations you donate, volunteer, and/or support.
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Emily BarryI am enthusiastic, optimistic, honest, intelligent, passionate, and witty. I can't wait to share my love for yoga, fitness, health, and integrative medicine. CategoriesArchives
May 2017
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