Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s election, many in the Pioneer Valley who have expressed anger, fear and frustration at protests, on social media and in the mainstream press now want to turn to action that will make a difference locally.
Some have begun that process through simple acts like meeting in neighborhood groups, exchanging ideas about protecting people who may be targets of hate, encouraging faith communities to preach tolerance and asking educators to discuss democratic values.
A common thread involves reaching out with gestures of support for people who feel most vulnerable to the policies of a Trump presidency – immigrants, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community. Sometimes it’s as simple and profound a gesture as posting a sign in a store saying they are welcome to shop there.
City Councilors in Easthampton and Northampton this week set a proper tone emphasizing tolerance. Easthampton City Councilor Jennifer Hayes on Wednesday called for that city to establish a Human Rights Committee, responding to what she termed “the fear that the incoming administration is generating.” And Thursday night, the Northampton City Council unanimously approved a resolution calling on residents to practice “civil courage” – standing up to hateful acts.
That echoed the advice given by Jo Comerford, of Northampton, the campaign director for MoveOn.org, when asked how individuals can take meaningful action. She replied that they must “move from bystanders to being actively engaged with interrupting acts of racism, xenophobia, racism, sexism. People could pledge to stand in solidarity with communities which are on the brutal front lines: immigrants and Muslims.”
The backdrop since the election is an increase in misogynistic, racist, anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic hate crimes reported nationally by the Southern Poverty Law Center, based in Montgomery, Alabama. That was visible here a week ago when racist, anti-Semitic and violent graffiti was spray-painted on Mount Tom. The law center offers “Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Response Guide” on its website at www.splcenter.org.
MoveOn, a progressive advocacy group created in 1998, is an online resource for tracking actions across the country “to prevent the damage of a Trump presidency.” People can join its email list at act.moveon.org/signup/signup and connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moveon.
For people who want to to take direct action in the Valley, there are many opportunities to support organizations working on causes ranging from refugee resettlement to climate change to reproductive rights for women.
Northampton is preparing for the first of 51 refugees from Burundi, the Congo, Iraq and Syria to begin arriving early next year through a resettlement program overseen by the Catholic Charities Agency in Springfield. People who want to volunteer their time or services – permanent housing particularly is needed – will find information online at welcomehomenorthampton.org.
Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, in Springfield, has been a leader since 1898 in refugee resettlement and offers an array of volunteer opportunities – including English language tutors and helping prepare refugees for the naturalization test. Applications are available on the agency’s website at www.jfswm.org.
The International Language Institute of Massachusetts in Northampton offers English for Speakers of Other Languages tutor training for people who want to help refugees and others adapt to a new culture. Information is available online at ili.edu.
Among the environmental groups working locally to reduce reliance on fossils fuels through renewables and energy efficiency is Climate Action Now Western Massachusetts (climateactionnowma.org). The group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month, alternating between the Unitarian Meetinghouse in Amherst and the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence. It is sponsoring a community gathering from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Florence Civic Center, 90 Park St., titled ”Taking Heart in Hard Times” about the climate crisis and other environmental/social/racial justice issues.
Since Trump’s election, agencies which provide reproductive care have seen more women seeking those services because of concerns they may be limited by reduced federal funding after January. That is true at Tapestry Health Systems, based in Florence, which provides services throughout western Massachusetts.
It plans to step up its annual end-of-the-year fundraising efforts, and will monitor increasing numbers of clients to determine the need for taking on more volunteers, according to CEO Cheryl Zoll. Information about financial donations and volunteering is available on its website at www.tapestryhealth.org.
“There’s a real anxiety that people are feeling, and part of the answer is making sure that local services remain available,” Zoll says.
Whatever local cause you choose to support, a gift of money or time is one sure way to make a difference.