The two-party system has failed. It is not the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last.
This year, for a multitude of reasons, progressives did not feel represented or inspired by the campaign that the Democrats were running on. Because of this, millions did not show up to the polls.
This has led us to the unfortunate reality that we currently find ourselves in– the inauguration of a fascist quickly nearing and a cloud of hopelessness hovering above the left.
At this point, there is nothing we can do to stop Trump from being the next president of the United States. He was elected fairly and will be inaugurated January 20th. The only thing that we as progressives can dictate is how we react after the fact.
Alt-right Republicans have very helpfully demonstrated what not to do when your preferred candidate does not get elected. Start a riot at the capital? No. Fall into the pit of election-denialism? Also a no. Live in a fantasy world in which your candidate is actually the president? Definitely not.
We need to do the opposite of these things. We need to come to terms with our new reality.
Yes, things will be worse, much worse for many people. Yes, the future looks bleak, especially for those who rely on Medicaid, food stamps, and other programs Trump is trying to cut. Yes, the prospect of an antivaxxer running the Department of Health and a wrestling mogul heading up the Department of Education is infuriating and deeply concerning.
But it is only when we accept this frightening future we are currently faced with that we can do anything to stop it.
Rejecting our reality or cordoning ourselves off from the terrible things that are going to start happening at increasingly frequent intervals is not the solution.
It is not an option, period.
Progressives giving up and resigning ourselves to take whatever this new administration is going to give us is exactly what they want.
We, particularly those who will not be deeply affected by the election results, need to plug into the goings on in our communities and across the country more than ever before.
Now is not the time for hopelessness. Now is the time for action.
If you haven’t been already, you need to get active in your community. Whether this be protesting consistently, engaging in mutual aid, becoming more involved in local politics, etc.
If your new to this, I would recommend joining an organization that aligns with your values. It can easily become overwhelming trying to start something from scratch and if you’ve never organized before, it’s likely to not be a very productive venture.
Research organizations in your area. There are so many active socialist organizations that are doing great work in Seattle, like the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL). Other good left-leaning organizations include the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Gender Justice League.
If direct organizing isn’t your thing, volunteer at a food bank or help the local unhoused community. I cannot overstate how valuable building community is, particularly with those who have been previously neglected, in times like these.
For things you can do on your own: educate yourself. Read about alternatives to capitalism and policing, about what fascism looks like, about mutual aid and activism. Learn about the true history of the United States and take inspiration from those who have made an impact in our world.
In the very simplest form, revolutionary action looks like making friends with your neighbors and helping them when necessary. It looks like donating what you can to your little free libraries and food banks.
It looks like being nice to those the world isn’t very nice to.
Do not let yourself become numb to the pain that is already occurring and is bound to worsen. Take action and be hopeful; get excited about all the things that you are yet to do and the impact that they will make when you do.
It is easy to fall into hopelessness, but no one said this would be easy. They want you to be hopeless, they want you to expect the worst and never wish for better. They want you to never imagine a world that could be any better than the one we currently inhabit.
They want you to feel this way because, as Peter Kropotkin put it, “The hopeless don’t revolt, because revolution is an act of hope.”
So, let your hope and your fury intermingle into a driving force behind your action and use it to make your own revolution.
