Let's Get Political!

I hope whoever is reading this sang the title of this blog post to the tune of Olivia Newton-John's "Let's Get Physical" because that was kind of the point.

I would never classify myself as political. I've always had strong beliefs in women's rights and equality in general but I never did anything about it other than the occasional donation here and there.  But that changed in November. I am now very much political and I am not intimidated by that title any longer. I have started to embrace it.

Times they are a changing. Or maybe it's me who is doing the changing. I think it's a lot of both.

At this point, I don't get how any one IS NOT political? How are people living their day-to-day lives like nothing awful is happening? How are they not reading the articles and getting pissed off over it? How are they not discussing it with their friends via text? How are they not posting important information on social media? How are they not taking action?! I get "busy". We're all busy. ALL OF US. And you know what else we all do? We all live in this country that is falling to pieces right in front of our eyes. So why not act?

I'm trying to find a balance of acting and being aware of situations without becoming obsessed. I spend about 5 minutes of my lunch each day making phone calls to senators. I have left countless voicemails and have talked to several interns about my feelings on different issues from not wanting Planned Parenthood to be defunded to asking Senators to vote against Trump's Betsy DeVos nomination. I have sent a handful of postcards and have started sending emails as well. I always knew we could contact our elected officials but I never felt the urge to do so until now. I know how naive and ignorant that sounds to those who have had regular contact with government officials but this is new territory for me. I'm ashamed it took such a crazy change in our government for me to participate and voice my opinions. I'm sure there are countless issues I could've had an impact on in the past but all I can do now is focus on what I can do now.

It's been a hard few months but especially since Trump was inaugurated. I have felt defeated many times. I have also been incredibly proud of myself for doing something. I have been stressed the fuck out to the point where it's hard for me to focus on anything else (some days the balance is not there!). I have also been incredibly inspired by Senator Elizabeth Warren, Stephanie Murphy, Senator Bernie Sanders, Rebecca Woolf, and my cousin Hayley to name a few. Regardless of how fucking tough it is or how many setbacks we face it's important to do what is right. To resist. And resist I will.



I will continue with the calls, emails, and postcards.
I will continue posting my views on social media. Sorry not sorry. (Unfollow me or unfriend me if needed.)
I will be marching for science in April.
I will be participating in a day without women when more details become available.

I hope this doesn't come off as preachy because that is not my intent at all. I just want you all (whoever "you all" are) to know that being "political" and caring about what happens in the government isn't a bad thing. It isn't something that you have to spend hours on end with in order to make a difference.

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To teachers and parents filled with rage over the Betsy DeVos vote please read this twitter thread.
To those who have been calling daily like me, keep it up!