A movement gained momentum when Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States last week.
The Safety Pin movement. A safety pin on a lapel or shirt shows that “you are safe with me. I stand beside you.”
This movement first started in the UK after Brexit, when immigrants were feeling unsafe on the street. A safety pin on a jacket or sleeve or collar was worn to show tolerance, that the wearer stands in solidarity with marginalised groups feeling threatened.
The same idea has taken off in the US following Trump’s election. People are using pins to identify themselves as an ally. To show they disagree with the nationalistic, racist, sexist hatred that we’ve heard too much about from the Republican Presidential Elect.
Problem is, it’s a ‘solution’ invented by those who are post privileged (i.e. white) and, for all its good intentions, the safety pin has also attracted backlash.
“We don’t get to make ourselves feel better by putting on safety pins and self-designating ourselves as allies,” Christopher Keelty wrote for The Huffington Post. “Marginalised people know full well the long history of white people calling themselves allies while doing nothing to help, or even inflicting harm on, non-white Americans.”
American comedian Dave Chappelle perhaps put it most simply, when he appeared on Saturday Night Live at the weekend.
“The whites are angry,” he said, while talking about the election result.
I understand the symbolism of the safety pin. I understand people want to do something, to show some support, to take some action. That by pinning a safety pin to your clothing, you might feel a little less helpless and a part of something hopeful. We all need something hopeful.
But there are other things, more tangible things, that we can do to make the future how we want it to be.
School yourself
Education is key. There is no point yelling and kicking and screaming when you don’t know the difference between immigrants and refugees. Or Hispanics and African Americans. Gay rights, women’s rights, the rights of native people and disabled people and ethnic minorities are nuanced. Our conversations around these issues need to be nuanced too.
During his Presidential campaign, Trump used over-simplified language to label and offend. We can do better. Instead of using words like ‘racist’, ‘sexist’, ‘bigot’, we can be smarter. Have the conversation. Educate ourselves so we can more effectively, more convincingly, more rationally, educate others.
Know your local government
Don’t underestimate the power of local politics. In Australia, decisions affecting citizens are made on three levels; federal, state and territory, and local.
The local government should be your first port of call in making a change and fighting for equality. Your local representative likely has an office near your home. What is important to you? Become invested in issues and changes. Then call, send emails, go for meetings. Start being heard at a local level, and take it further from there.
Donate to, or volunteer with, an activist group
Jezebel put together a list of mostly US-based organisations that need your support. These are activists and non-for-profit organisations fighting for the rights of minority groups, as well as the environment.
In Australia, there are similar organisations. You can volunteer at Women’s Community Shelters, or take action with the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby and the Australian Marriage Equality Organisation.
To show your support for, and solidarity with, refugees and asylum seekers, there are organisations such as Save the Children and Amnesty International, which runs local action groups where you can get involved.
There are organisations like GetUp! for the environment, and events like Walk Together for ending racism in Australia.
Support women’s reproductive rights
In the US, one of the greatest fears around Trump’s election is his attitude towards women’s reproductive rights. He’s talked about repealing the Affordable Health Care act, which provides women with access to free contraception. And he’s also threatened to appoint only pro-life judges to the Supreme Court.
In Australia, the laws around abortion and reproductive rights are convoluted. There is great disparity between the states in the legalisation of abortion. Reproductive Choice Australia is an organisation trying to change this. To remove the stigma and decriminalise abortion around the country. You can donate and take action here.
Start paying for news
“We’re going to open up libel laws, and we’re going to have people sue you like you’ve never got sued before.” This was Trump talking about freedom of the press – particularly singling out The New York Times and The Washington Post – in February of this year.
Balanced, critical, objective reporting is going to be more necessary than ever before in the years ahead. If you’ve been accessing your news for free, consider paying to help keep reputable and reliable news sources in business. We’re going to need them.
Make a change within your own community
Listen. Listen to the groups that are hurting. They know their needs, and the realities they face, better than anyone. Listen to how you might be able to help, and convince others to do the same. Attend protests and events in your community. Talk to people, acknowledge different opinions and experiences, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Finally, speak up and speak out against what you believe to be wrong. The big stuff and the small.
Organisations like StopBullying and Wear it Purple provide valuable information in helping bystanders step in and stop bullying and harassment in the workplace or on the street.
Anger and ignorance don’t have to be the new normal.
You create what is normal by your actions. Every day.