Election despair? You’re not alone. Many are discouraged, confused, and disappointed by the election outcome. If that’s you, take the time to reflect and rest. Reflect on the fact that history was still made. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to vote for an African American and Southeast Asian Woman. Our great-grandmothers would be so proud. Therefore, meditate on the positives and rest thoughtfully. Take breaks, process, and find your spark. Remember, there is hope! The Presidency is just one position within the entire ecosystem of the United States government. There are still opportunities to fight for and win on issues you’re passionate about. That’s why it’s essential to remain involved in politics, and this is how you can do so.
Join Advocacy Groups
Whatever issues you are most passionate about, a coalition is waiting for your support to advance its agenda. If you’re passionate about civil rights, there’s the ACLU, NAACP, and National Urban League. If you’re passionate about fighting poverty internationally, there’s The Borgen Project. If you have a heart to shelter people, there’s the National Alliance To End Homelessness, and the list goes on. Most national advocacy groups have local chapters throughout the country; if not, they’ll have resources for you to get involved, no matter your location. Many of these alliances rely on people like yourselves to volunteer their time to amplify the cause.
Attend Your City’s Council Meetings
You feel the impact of your local government’s actions the most. Have you ever visited a city or suburb and thought, ‘This is such a cute town. I can see myself moving here? ‘The local government creates that experience. From planning the annual festivals that unite a town, approving the budget to cover potholes, providing grants to small businesses so that legacy shops can remain open, or creating a bike lane in the downtown area– the little things that make a city, a home, are a byproduct of a healthy local government. Your town’s website should have a public calendar detailing meetings. Attend a few sessions, see how the process works, and if you have concerns or ideas that you’d like to voice, you will then understand how to take action! Take pride in where you live. In the wise words of Samuel Agidi, ‘don’t let the hood change you, change the hood.’
Track What Congress Is Doing
The President is at the forefront, but Congress makes things happen. The Senate and House of Representatives (collectively called Congress) must approve any bill to become law. They move the needle on legislation that changes the lives of Americans and rewrites history. To track the status of all bills, from when they’re introduced to when they’re (potentially) signed into law, visit govtrack.us. If there’s a bill you want to see signed into law, you can sign up to be notified about the bill’s progress. When it’s time for it to be voted upon, contact your elected officials so that they can vote in the direction you favor. Their responsibility is to represent the district they hail from, you, on a national scale. Therefore, they should be welcoming your opinion on issues. If you think your elected officials don’t share the same values as the people in your district, start campaigning to boot them out! Volunteer to help candidates you vouch for win. 2026 is when America will revisit Congressional seats.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick. So yes, reflect and rest but come back knowing you have the chance to help create brighter days ahead.
About the Author: Shelby Denise Smith is a Social Media Editor and Freelance Writer. She’s passionate about lifestyle, wellness, travel, and culture. Smith enjoys packaging the insight she receives into stories that can positively impact the livelihood of others.