1. Go out and Volunteer
Make one of your New Year's resolutions a bi-monthly commitment to volunteer at an organization or cause you support. Volunteering can range from office work and advocacy training to directly working with the organization's clients. The YWCA is a national organization dedicated to uplifting women, empowering marginalized communities, and providing safety for victims of sexual/domestic violence — you can find your local YWCA here to set up volunteering. Finding other local organizations and nonprofits that you're passionate about requires only a simple Google search!
2. Donate When You Can.
If your busy schedule does not allow you time for volunteering, always consider donating to an organization. Even if you do not have the funds to donate a large amount, try skipping coffee once or twice a month. It may not seem like much, but if you can get just 10 friends to join you, the donation transforms from $5.00 to $50.00. Local rape crisis centers (here is a list of state resources), LGBTQ pride centers (find your center on this map), homeless shelters and many more are always in need of donations; below are a few national organizations you can send donations to:
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
3. Attend Local Meetings About Racial Justice
ATTENTION WHITE ALLIES: THIS IS IMPORTANT. Go beyond taking a stance on social media and find your local Black Lives Matter chapter. Also, SURJ (Showing Up For Racial Justice), is a great group that is organizing/calling on white people to take accountability and action against racism. SURJ has groups and meetings across the country- you can discover your closest SURJ group on their website, or simply search Facebook.
4. Call or write to your legislatures
This is an easy action you can take that will take you 5 to 10 minutes at most. If you're not sure where to start, join an online or offline feminist/social justice collective to keep up-to-date with proposed bills in your area. Additionally, the community UltraViolet combats racism and misogyny and often posts national campaigns where you can sign petitions in under 30 seconds.
5. Attend Protests and Sit-ins.
I promise you, as a longtime protester, it is nothing like Fox New's portrayals - NOTHING. Protests and sit-ins are extremely empowering; they create new friendships, build communities, and give a voice to marginalized groups. Do not let false fears stop you in the new year from being an active ally.
6. Make an Effort to Read and Share Articles From Intersectional Activists EVERY. DAY.
Even as an experienced activist, there are new perspectives and forms of privilege I have that I must acknowledge daily. Try reading an article by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez about Latinx culture, or pick up "Towards The 'Other America'" by Chris Crass, a book that calls for the end of white silence. Share what you learn with other allies, as well as the friends and family whom still do not understand their privilege.
7. Support Local Business as well as LGBTQ, Woman and Black Owned-Business
Supporting minority-owned, small business is one of the easiest acts to combat systemic oppression and simultaneously smash the patriarchy. Here are some helpful guides to fulfill ALL your shopping needs and wants:
32 LGBTQ/Woman-Owned Businesses
Latinx Business Database
8. Choose a "Call To Action" AT LEAST Twice a Week
A "Call to Action" could be any of the seven things listed above, a specific action related to recent events, supporting People of Color even when you are uncomfortable, etc. Though some may be easier to plan than others, make the resolution to be an active ally this upcoming year,
Make 2017 the year your activism moves from the computer screen to the street.
