Protecting Democracy: How Everyday People Can Resist Authoritarianism

Three Strategies for Helping You Do So (Without Losing Your Mind)

A note: I felt this was an important topic to address before returning to my usual topics of organizing and divorce.

It feels like we are walking through a waking nightmare as we watch the dismantling of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism.

Trump regime #2 is worse than his practice run. So much worse. If I didn’t know better, I would think I was living in Soviet era Russia. The disappearance of people with no due process. The destruction of social institutions that millions depend on. And so much more.

As a writer, I have had trouble reengaging in writing because the anxiety and grief have been so great; it consumes my emotional bandwidth. (I can almost hear the cackles of MAGA adherents scoffing at my confession.)

But then I realize, THIS reaction is exactly what they need. Continue with the carpet-bombing attack daily as to keep people off-centered and fearful. Shut down and give into hopelessness. Drain us of all emotional energy and watch us lapse into inactivity while they loot the coffers and mock the rule of law.

Action is the antidote to despair, folk singer and activist Joan Baez wisely once said.

But then I wonder, WHAT action? As I sat with this question, this is what I came up with.

Preserve Your Sanity at All Costs by Limiting Media

A triggered and frightened person is exactly what they want. When we are operating from the fear center in our brains, we limit our ability to take action by overriding the parts of our brain responsible for executive functioning.

Limit your exposure to media. Headlines grab your attention and the temptation to get sucked into them is bigly. This is by design.

Anymore, I try to be as minimally informed as possible. Yes, I need to be aware, but I must refuse to marinate in this shit 24/7. Like that would change anything, right? Monitoring headlines throughout the day only increases my stress level and sense of helplessness.

Fuming over events is no different that stepping outside and shaking my fist at the skies because I want different weather. I could stand outside all day and scream for snow, get enraged that it’s not snowing, and then toss and turn all night with anxiety because the forecast offers no promise of the floofy white stuff. (Those who know me understand how absurd this example is to this snow-adverse Arizonian.)

It does no good. Nor does feeding the addiction to rage-inducing articles. Understand the futility of misguided anger and try as best you can to avoid it. (It is a daily challenge for this girl.) And speaking of futility…

This also goes for trying to reform MAGA loyalists, my friends. Be kind, but keep conversations away from politics. Share your own stories if there is an opening, but refrain from trying to enlighten one on their error of their way. It will only stir up more anger… for both parties.

Pick a few trusted news sources and stick to those. For me, I follow Heather Cox Richardson, The Guardian and Robert Reich. There are others, but these are my daily go-tos.

Take Action That You’re Able to Take

So many of us are already overwhelmed… how the hell do we garner the energy to take action? Here are some basic things that should only take a few minutes each day.

VOTE. I know it’s easy to think your vote won’t matter; I have struggled with that too. But please. Register to vote and encourage everyone in your sphere of influence to do the same.

Contrary to Trump’s lie that he won by a landslide, it was a razor’s edge, a measly 1.6% margin of the popular vote. If the “Did Not Vote” crowd (that’s nearly 86 MILLION people!) had voted, their numbers would have far surpassed both Trump and Harris.

Raise your voice on social media. Repost the articles (and please make sure you have citations for reputable sources to ensure not spreading disinformation.) Memes can catch you off guard because so many are designed to trigger outrage, so be sure to fact check that zinger before you hit share.

I have no illusions that I am going to persuade anyone from their tightly held beliefs by posting what I do on Facebook and other social media. But I share to show solidarity with other like-minded/hearted people.

Download the 5Calls app on your phone and make a fuss. My goal has been to call daily, but I will admit, I fall short of this frequently. The app makes calls easy sqeasy. We must keep up the pressure.

Attend hometown meetings, rallies and protests. Starting with the Hands Off event that will take place across the country on April 5. My sweetie and I will be at the one in Phoenix. Check out their website and find one to attend.

Connect with others in your community who are working with the marginalized and those whose very lives are being threatened by ICE and other gestapo-like policies.

Be aware of those in your world who are especially scared (and for good reason) and let them see your solidarity. As a woman, I feel especially vulnerable as I see women’s rights getting rolled away. I can’t imagine being a woman of color or gay. Or to be an anchor baby who lives in fear of being arrested and deported with no due process.

Go Make Art

And then make more art. Then go share it. When there is great suffering, beauty and art are healing balms. And it is also a damn good form of resistance. But don’t worry if you’re no Woody Guthrie, because each and everyone one of us is wired for art.

First, art is good for your soul. It taps into your creativity and gives your overstressed thinking mind a break. This is why I started learning stained glass and quilting.

Art isn’t just crafts, music or dance. You may be known for being an empathetic and caring listener. This is art too. Do you enjoy gardening? Samesies.

Whatever it is you enjoy doing, that you lose track of time doing, do more of that. And to increase the power of your resistance through creativity, share your art with your community.

I especially love watching Reels on Facebook that make me laugh or inspire me. This would not happen if these content creators didn’t post their stuff.

Is your art making sourdough bread? Excellent! Go bring a loaf to the immigrant family down the street.

Do you grow prize-winning cucumbers? Share this art form with others by teaching them to grow their own prize-winning veggies. This not only fosters community, it offers an important self-reliance skill while grocery prices continue to skyrocket.

By sharing your art, you are not only expressing yourself (a hella good alternative to depressing yourself) you are also building community based on common interests and service for others.

A community standing in solidarity is an oligarch’s worst nightmare. And it is one of our best tools for resisting the unfolding evil.

We Must Not Lose Hope

One reason I love following Heather Cox Richardson is the historical perspective she brings to her analysis of daily events. While she is gravely concerned about current affairs, she also reminds us that evildoers do not last forever and goodness will eventually prevail. Of course, this isn’t comforting if your partner has died from sepsis because of the illegality of a D&C, Medicaid is your only insurance for cancer treatment, or your friend was just snatched off the street by masked men.

When the overwhelm is too overwhelming, I encourage you to silence the electronics and go for a walk. Bake some cookies and damn the calorie- enjoy those cookies with gusto. Read a book… the kind with real pages. Bonus points for sharing these activities with a friend.

Hope is still here. It hasn’t gone away even though the light seems to flicker and at times, seems to hide completely. And it is ever waiting for us to harness its power.

Let’s hope together for a better world and then take the action to make it happen. It is within our power.

And from the bottom of my heart, I send you love.