By Ava Sinclair
Even in a political climate like this, many of us find it hard to get truly political. Social media gives us a false sense of activism—sharing a post or writing an impassioned response to a homophobic, sexist, or anti-abortion post may leave us feeling like we’ve made a difference. In most election years, little more is required beyond discussion and voting. But this year, more is needed to stop a sweeping plan that marks the first steps toward turning our country into a Christian theocracy.
If you haven’t read the 920-page Project 2025 manifesto and want to do so, it has been published online by the extreme right-wing Heritage Foundation, which isn’t even bothering to hide its radical agenda for the nation.
In my first column on Project 2025, I outlined some of what’s in store for the country if the tenets of this plan are enshrined into policy. In my second column in this series, I delved into the genesis of this dystopian plot, which hasn’t been in the works for just two years, as some claim, but represents the first steps in a fifty-year vision of radical Christian theocrats—the forerunners of today’s sexist, racist, homophobic, and at times violent Christian Nationalist movement.
But now it’s time to talk about what you can do to stop the transformation of our nation from a secular society with freedom for all to one run by zealots who would dictate what you read, what is taught in schools, who you can marry, and even your bodily autonomy.
I know it can feel overwhelming to become politically active. It can be scary, too, in a time when speaking out can be risky depending on the atmosphere of your workplace, neighborhood, or even your own family. But everyone can do something. Here’s a list of measures you can take to make a difference, complete with options for those who want to keep a low profile while fighting.
- Call Your Representative. Of course, this is the most obvious step and the one most recommended. It can also feel like the most useless one if you—like me—have the misfortune of living in a conservative district. Here, in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the politics are as red as the autumn apples. I know when I call my Trump-endorsed congressman, he’ll likely dismiss my concerns. But I call anyway because I want him to know people like me exist. The more of us that call, the more likely it is that, even if he doesn’t agree with our politics, he’ll have to acknowledge our presence. And as more people move into my rural community—many of them progressive homesteaders—the more conservative leadership may start taking note of the changing demographic. Don’t know who your representative is? Just go to https://www.house.gov/ to find out.
- Talk to Your Family. Yes, this can feel like a fool’s errand if your conservative mom, dad, aunt, cousin, etc., tell you that Project 2025 is nothing more than an overdue plan to turn America back into the Christian nation they mistakenly believe the founding fathers envisioned. By educating yourself on this plan, you can show them how it affects them in ways the conservative outlets they watch neglect to mention.
If your uncle likes to hunt or hike, ask him how he feels about large swaths of public lands he enjoys being sold to private equity firms or mining interests. If your grandmother has diabetes or other health conditions, ask her how she feels about no longer having a price cap on insulin or more power being given to insurance companies.
The thing about Project 2025 is that many people don’t think it affects them—when it really does. Granted, not being able to hike through parts of Yellowstone is less terrifying than bleeding to death because anti-abortion laws prevent you from getting a life-saving D&C, but Americans hate to be inconvenienced. Learning how this plan affects them might get your self-centered relative to start digging a little deeper. - Suggest and Follow Social Media Accounts Dedicated to Stopping Project 2025. The best resource I’ve found is https://stopthecoup2025.org, where you’ll find a clear, easy-to-understand list of all the ways this agenda threatens America, along with talking points for engaging friends and family about why it’s such a threat. The Heritage Foundation architects who drafted this dystopian blueprint aren’t clueless; they know which parts of the plan to highlight for conservatives. Fans of Project 2025 see it as a course correction for a society they believe has become too progressive. But are they also nostalgic for polluted water, restrictions on their right to plan their own families, and persecution of their LGBTQ friends?
If you want to take your personal research a step further, you can read the entire Project 2025 document at https://www.project2025.org. At some point, a friend, family member, or colleague will accuse you of exaggerating the impact of these policy proposals and will ask if you’ve actually read it. Knowledge is power. It’s a scary read, but highly recommended. - Work to get Progressive Candidates Elected. Now more than ever we need to support those who are running. Campaigns are expensive and with all the dark money and corporate contributions going to politicians willing to rubber stamp Project2025, progressive candidates need our help. If you can’t afford to donate money, consider donating time. Political campaigns always need door knockers or people willing to work phone banks.
- Vote. This year’s choices are abysmal. I’d be lying if I said I was optimistic. I saw a bumper sticker this week that said, “Giant Asteroid 2024,” and it summed up how a lot of us are feeling. It’s easy to tell yourself that sitting this one out won’t matter because you’re just one vote. But in a race this close, a thousand people who feel that way and don’t go to the polls can turn this nation into a nightmare for anyone who isn’t a straight white Christian man. So vote, even if you have to hold your nose while you do it.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the entire staff at Ethical.Porn.
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