Max Smith

#moodboard

I'm not teaching my grad course 'Civil Resistance: How It Works' this semester. But here is an abridged version of the course schedule, readings, and films I used the last time I taught it (in 2022). Just in case it's useful. drive.google.com/file/d/14RRJ...

And now we are going after gay marriage in Idaho. This is Christian nationalism plain and simple. Here in America, we are not ok.

A silhouette of a person standing in front of a city building wall lit up in pride colors.

Idaho wants to gut Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage.

MAGA's war on LGBTQ+ rights continues.

They won't stop until love is re-criminalized.

Marriage equality is under fire.

🏳️‍🌈 #DefendLove #MarriageEquality #LGBTQ #QueerRights #LoveIsLove

bsky.app/profile/from...

Military planes being used today implies forethought and prior approval. Mexico is not allowing them to land!

We can do this if we ALL work together and LISTEN to each other.

A rising tide raises all ships; make sure EVERYONE has a ticket to ride.

#resist
#organize
#RISEUP
#DONOTOBEYINADVANCE

These are just some of the ways we can make our resistance more accessible for EVERYONE; after all, isn't that what we're fighting for - ALL OF US? UNITED AGAINST A COMMON ENEMY?

Please share this info far and wide, and if you have any other ideas, please comment them below...

... - seek local groups; social workers; attorneys; admin staff for guidance
- volunteer these services if you're one of these professionals...

-Create a resource guide to local supports and organizations for your members - make it easily navigable, easy to find, and ACCURATE. Have volunteers who can assist members in accessing these resources
- offer workshops for accessing SNAP; Medicaid; SSI; and other services...

- restaurants; cooks; caterers: volunteer your time, donate your goods and services, and incentivize your employees to volunteer their time
- create a safety net for folks who will face financial hardship by participating (ie, job and/or wage loss)...

BARRIER 7: BASIC NEEDS
SOLUTIONS:
- offer free meals at events
- include meals folks can take home
- organize meal trains
- coordinate meal swaps
- organize deliveries of food/supply boxes from donations and/or local food banks, churches, etc...

- check YOUR understanding: hold listening sessions to hear not just what folk want to fight for but also what they need in order to fight
- local advocacy and support groups; regional councils of government - folks are already working on these barriers - seek them out

BARRIER 6: UNDERSTANDING
SOLUTIONS
- avoid using industry jargon; speak plainly
- offer learning sessions about how branches of government work; what your organization does; explaining ballot initiatives, bills, policies, executive orders, etc; critical thinking; media literacy...

- multiple languages
- PROVIDE MORE THAN A QR CODE; NOT EVERYONE HAS A SMARTPHONE

BARRIER 5: COMMUNICATION
SOLUTIONS:
- provide multiple ways to communicate with your organization - phone; email; text; private messaging; snail mail
- disseminate information in multiple ways: social media; texts; flyers; email; phone trees; local organizations; Craigslist; local news outlet/paper

BARRIER 4: INCLUSIVENESS/SAFETY
SOLUTIONS:
- virtual meetings w/ recordings and meaningful participation for online attendees
- gender-neutral bathrooms
- nursing spaces
- changing spaces for adults
- safety plans for preventing violence and harassment protecting identities and sensitive information

- seek out support and advocacy groups for information on what your community needs for spaces/events to be truly accessible
- special needs teachers; social workers; PTs, OTs, and speech therapists; caregivers - seek these people out for info
- volunteer your time if you're one of these

- interpreters; sign-language; screens that everyone can see
- visual aids, such as schedules of events, what to expect, where to sit, who to seek for help, etc (and provide some details ahead of time for folks who need extra time for planning, processing, etc)
...

BARRIER 3: ACCESSIBILITY
SOLUTIONS:
- ensure your spaces/venues are navigable by wheelchair, walker, and cane - wide aisles; elevators; ramps; accessible bathrooms; accessible parking and ENFORCEMENT/EDUCATION about those spots
- climate control for heat AND cold
- sensory-friendly spaces/events

- if you are a taxi company, shuttle service, chartered bus company, etc, donate your services; incentivize your employees to volunteer their time
- coordinate a dedicated group of volunteers who are willing and able to give lifts
- have a fund for fuel and vehicle repairs

BARRIER 2: TRANSPORTATION

SOLUTIONS:
- hold virtual events; provide recordings and meaningful ways for online attendees to participate
- hold multiple events in multiple areas; "centrally located" does not mean "easily accessible"
- remember your rural folks
- coordinate shuttles or carpools

- don't forget that people are also caring for aging/ill parents; make sure they have help so they can participate, too

support groups, and organizations already addressing this in the community at large
- Make sure there are qualified caregivers for children with special/medical needs - think RNs, CNAs, special needs teachers, bus drivers, and classroom assistants
- volunteer your time if you're one off these

BARRIER 1: NO CHILDCARE

SOLUTIONS:
- Schedule some meetings and events during the school day
- Schedule virtual meetings after dinner, and preferably, after bedtime
- Make recordings easily available
- Offer childcare at events; reach out to local teachers, daycare centers, youth groups, churches

Following is a non-exhaustive list of things that people need in order to even think about #resisting and ways you can help:

These things can not be afterthoughts.

They can not be given begrudgingly.

We need to build these supports into the very core of our coalitions and campaigns, or else we are not fighting for everyone; we're fighting for those who already have a voice...

I am one of these people with barriers...

If we want people to participate and lend their voice, we have to listen to the things they are already saying.

We need a concerted effort to address these barriers.

We need a solid foundation upon which to build our resistance, draw our line in the sand.

We need INFRASTRUCTURE...

... if you don't understand the lingo; if you're afraid of losing your job or failing a class; if you have any number of common, everyday barriers, you can't get to the table.

And these are the types of things that cause people to vote red or to not vote at all.

WE ARE NOT LISTENING.

... We do not actually make room at the table for everyone.

If you're a single parent; if you're disabled; if you're neurodivergent; if you have no childcare or transportation or decent internet access; if you need an interpreter or sign language; if you need gender-neutral bathrooms; ...