I’d be lying if I told you that I accomplished everything (anything?) on my to-do list this weekend.
I’d also be lying if I told you that I tucked my computer and phone away for longer than a few minutes at a time.
Nope.
I did none of the sort this weekend. Instead, I stayed attached to the “Breaking News” alerts, the tweets and re-tweets, the articles being posted on Facebook.
Some people choose not to engage in the #MuslimBan conversation online because they “don’t touch on politics when it comes to social media.” A part of me feels like I should respect that. But then a larger part of me wants to shake them up, down, and around and scream, “EVERYTHING IS POLITICS. POLITICS IS EVERYTHING.”
Reject The Muslim Ban
I am a registered voter. I’ve been a proud voter since 2004. But I’ve never been one to stand up and take action. I’ve never been one to knock on doors or make phone calls.
Trump’s actions have shaken me out of my indifference. I am taking a stand. And you should too. Here’s how you can start.
Reject the Muslim Ban by Donating to ACLU
The ACLU works in the courts and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution. This weekend, they challenged the executive order and now those who land in the U.S. with a valid visa are allowed to to enter the country and stay. Click this link to donate.
Reject the Muslim Ban by Making 5 Calls
Enter your zip code on this website and find out the contact information for your local representatives so your calls are more impactful. On this website, you will find who to contact, what their contact information is, and a sample script you can use if you’re unsure what to say.
Questions of the Day:
- What did you do this weekend?
- Where do you live?
- What action have you taken to better this nation?
Sorry this is stressing you out so much! It’s definitely not a positive atmosphere right now. I’m really trying to keep in mind that I need to stay positive and happy for my mental health.
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I completely agree. While I would love to respect people’s “I don’t do politics” mindset (because I’ve definitely been there myself), doing that means they’re a bystander. It means that they can afford not to until it directly affects them.
We need to make our voices heard, stand up for people who are suffering, and let them know we’re with them.
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I too have been upset over the breaking news all weekend long. I will be supporting all women and immigrants. I am a planned parenthood supporter as I used their services during my 20’s when I did not have health insurance. We have to stick together to make our voices heard.
I’m with ya, girl. I was glued to my phone all weekend. These are great things for the people who feel helpless to get involved! Thanks for sharing!
I have been torn between watching the news and just needing a break away! Our country is so divided, and it saddens me.
This is a tough time for our country but nothing we, as a people can’t handle. I’m sure the founders of the country are rolling over in their graves right now, as they founded the US to avoid religious persecution! Great to find your voice and make yourself heard!
I completely love this post!! Awareness is everything and knowing what ways we can help is important. Thank you!
I will try to keep this short. I first started to see the amplified hate of anyone middle eastern right after 9/11 even to those not remotely involved in terrorism. I am sure I will get backlash but this country loves to hate. I have many friends of different cultures and origin who tell me racism isn’t as prevalent in other countries. You have to wonder who is next because it never seems to end. I do come from a multi-race/culture family so the entire issue is personal to me and I will always stand against hate of any kind.
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I agree. The Muslim ban is absolutely ridiculous and it will do the opposite than protecting Americans. Jihadists groups are celebrating this. I can’t believe that he is doing something like that. I hope he gets impeached soon along with his whole team. This is a disaster for the world and he doesn’t ban the countries that have done harm to the US because he has businesses there. Thank you for sharing this important post 😀
Ah, I was glued to my phone this weekend too. Thanks for sharing the things we should be doing to reject the ban, it’s much needed!
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I hope you’re ok with some polite disagreement. First, I’m not a fan of Trump (just to be clear up front). Second, the countries that have been temporarily prohibited are the same ones that Obama listed as “countries of concern”. Obama also enacted a 6 month ban on refugees from Iraq in 2011; and Senator Chuck Schumer, who was on TV crying last night because of this ban, actually spearheaded an attempt to stop all refugees from entering our country back in 2014, until improved vetting could be implemented. Furthermore, there are 43 majority Muslim nations left unaffected by this new rule. This is not a ‘Muslim Ban’.
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Needless to say that those nations that attacked us on 9/11 are not included in this ban and happen to have business ties to our President. That is not a coincidence. This is a premeditated attack on our Constitution.
100% true, Divya.
This is a depressing topic. I appreciate your call to action to speak up and take action against this ban. You have motivated me to snap out of my aversion to talking politics and take action.
The ACLU really came through this weekend, and people are not going to take this lying down. Thank you for the phone links – we are being tested in this country to see what we will tolerate. Cleveland, JFK, O’Hare, lots of other airport protests, along with the quick acting of the ACLU is a clear answer that we’re not going to tolerate intolerance.
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As a person who is completely against politics, I now see the importance and will now do my part. I never stood by the Mango in charge and I sure as hell don’t stand by his policies-including this ridiculous ban. I support love and understanding and I will stand with fellow muslins to support them. It’s the least I can do. Much love!
I have to admit, I feel like I have taken for granted that our country’s presidents had our best interests at heart, even if I don’t quite agree with them on everything. However, with Trump, I don’t believe he cares. At all. It is both sad and disappointing that he has so much and is using it in acts of hate. It doesn’t help that his cabinet is made up of like minded hate filled people. I used to not put political related posts on social media, but that changed this past few months.
Sorry for the typo. *That he has so much power and is using it for acts of hate…
I have been sick of this for days. No idea what this man is thinking and what is happening to our country.
i am sick too, sick of the hateful garbage that is turning back the clock a few centuries
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It is always good to stay well informed and do what we can to make our voice heard.
I hate that so many people got stuck at airports with nowhere to go and detained for no reason. It’s absolutely awful. I hope this gets resolved very very quickly.
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He is being unAmerican and unChristian by forcing his “American” and “Christian” policies. It makes me scared and sad for our country and the people around the world who had faith in America and are being let down so entirely.
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It seems like everywhere in the world, people are clamoring for change. Honestly, if we really want change, then we should start with ourselves. Then work on change within the family, the community, the society. Pretty soon, your circle will spread out and you’ll eventually see the change you want to see.
I’ve been upset all weekend too. Nothing about this embodies the American spirit or who we are. I go back and forth between disbelief and anger. Something’s gotta give soon. I could write a whole book here about it, but I’ll just say that I’m super upset over it. Great post. I hope more people do fight and continue to fight this!
I’m so happy to see more people getting involved these days!
Yes to this! Thank you for sharing ways to make a difference and make sure Trump is stopped!
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Thanks for these great links! I’ve been so upset all weekend and am ready to fight!!! xoxo
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YES! Thank you for having the courage to post about this on your blog and social media. I’ve been struggling with a few conflicting feelings: 1. Feeling like talking about anything besides how to save the U.S. is futile and selfish. 2. I’m going to scare away all of my followers by talking incessantly about politics so early in my blog’s life. 3. If I scare away people by talking about things that matter, are they really my “tribe” to begin with? 4. I should quit blogging and run for office. 5. But we need writers. We need artists. We need musicians. As we’re all fighting to save the morality of this country, we’re going to need comfort and beauty and art, too. It’s a difficult line to walk, but I have a feeling we’re doing it the right way. Here for strength if you need it!
I didn’t want to know too much but was glued to Social Media. it is trying and tough times for all races.
I have to be in disagreement here, and I hope that’s ok. It is similar to a ban that Obama did in 2011, only Trump broadened it to include countries that are listed later in a bill that was started when Obama was in office. Yes, Obama’s was 6 months, but we don’t have a date for Trump’s, it is listed as temporary. Yes, Obama did in in light of the terrorists attacks on the US. Yes, refugees were still coming into America during 2011 when Obama, had his ban in place. However, the refugees are coming over and we don’t have information on them all. I’m sure that 99.9% are good, hard working individuals. But that tiny percent that isn’t? I saw that you had commented above that these countries don’t have ties with 9/11 – Why did he pick and choose the way he did? No one knows but him and whoever he discussed the issue with. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that 23% of the Muslim Americans that have been involved with violent extremist plots since 9/11 had family ties to those countries. (Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security report)
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Comparing this situation to Obama’s ban in 2011 is ridiculous. Obama administration’s actions were limited to one country and in response to a specific threat. Trump banned a whole religion, and there is no THREAT that he is reacting to.
Take off the rose colored glasses, folks. How can you not see HATE in this ban and can you muster some compassion for Syrian refugees? These are people.
There is a great app called Countable, Divya. It offers quick and easy ways to understand the laws Congress is considering. Cuts through the spin that politicians rely on. XO
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Great tips for what to DO instead of just griping about it behind a computer screen. This is a crazy time for many people in our country, and my hope is we all come together and are stronger than ever.
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I’m on the same boat- I sort of stopped doing my daily routine because of this situation in particular. Being an immigrant myself, I was saddened to see this occur as well. Thank you for not only talking about this but for also sharing tips that everyone can do to help make America great again. x
We’re not American so as objective observers, we think what’s happening over there is unbelievable. It’s surreal. We watch the news and think: is this really happening? I hope things get sorted out and soon.
Thank you for this. I have always voted, in every election I could, from the time I was 18. That’s 20 years of exercising my democratic right. And until this year, I’ve kept my political beliefs very private. I’ve always respected everyone’s right to their own opinion. But this year, I’ve decided to break my silence. I cannot watch and do nothing, say nothing, as our great nation crumbles. I’m posting political messages on my Facebook. If others don’t like it, they can unfriend me. That’s fine with me. And the people I thought I was friends with, who stand by and support and encourage this president … I’m not going to lie, I’ve unfriended a few of them too. Because this world needs a lot more love, not hate. Last week I donated to Planned Parenthood. This week I’ll be donating to the ACLU. And every week on out, I’ll be putting my money towards helping others less fortunate than myself, because that’s what this country is all about.
It’s disgusting what is happening in the world! Just today there was an attack in a Muslim place of prayer. 6 people died. This is a big shock in a place like Canada. We don’t see this sort of hate crime and I’m just so over humanity!
I don’t agree with this Muslim ban myself. My Mum is a Muslim (she converted to Islam when I was still in grade school) and although she’s a British citizen, she is deeply affected with all this hoopla happening in America. We have relatives in the US and she would visit them every so often, and now she has qualms of traveling to the US because of this.
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Thank you for speaking out. I’ve been feeling the same, and am finding it challenging focusing on work when my heart wants to get back to attending town halls and making calls and reading more to ensure I know the facts. I completely agree: everything is politics. The decisions made affect us in so many ways — and even if they don’t affect us personally, they affect our friends, our families, our neighbors, our country! And thus we *should* all care about and be invested in politics. Card-carrying ACLU member here, if that’s not obvious 🙂 Thank you for this post.
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It’s heartbreaking to see so much hate, and instead of being a leader of peace and unity he decides that it would be better to break more bonds and to leave this country more divided than before. He is not for this country, he will never be. I am glad that you are also speaking up. It’s important that we all do.
I completely agree with this post! Who doesnt want world peace! I’ll support you with this blog post!! worth sharing!
This is the most helpful article I’ve read all day! I have been so devastated by the news of the ban but have felt powerless. People were telling me to make calls or send emails but I had no idea where to start. What do I even say?! The script provided in the link above is sooooo helpful, you have no idea. I’ll be giving my senators a call for sure! Thanks so much!
Because of my previous job as a journalist, I try to keep my political values to myself… but this does make me really sad and I respect what you are doing!
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Very saddened to see what is happening around us.
Divya Bravo to you for taking the bold step to write and post this blog on social media.
I am going to copy & paste your blog on my facebook page to have your and your readers voices be heard.
A friend of mine wrote in an email she circulated in our neighborhood………………………………Under this new administration we are facing challenges including the repeal of the ACA, the cutting off funding for Planned Parenthood and a systematic effort to target Muslims both in the US and outside.
We need to communicate our concerns to our Congressmen and Paul Ryan.
This neighborhood friend is organizing a letter writing campaign in her home and has invited friends and neighbors who are sympathetic to one or all of the causes.
Wanted to share the above….. if others want to try it in their neighborhood.
God Bless America. Praying for Peace and Unity!!!
It breaks my heart to hear that this is real life. There really wouldn’t be a U.S. if it weren’t for immigrants. Even those who claim to be true Americans are immigrants themselves.
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First of all thank you for the follow. I do not live in USA so I don’t have a political view on any of what is going on. However, my heart reaches out to all of the people affected by the stupidity of your new president. The rest of the world is watching because we know these divisive policies will not bring anything but heartache.
I just pray for peace and hope we can all come together.
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Ugh, I cannot believe that he even did this. What human being DOES that to another. I just can’t fathom it. This whole thing makes me so freaking sad. He needs to be impeached, NOW.
I cannot be the person who sits idly by while our country is experiencing this. I have been very vocal about my opinions with the new government and this is just too much! We really have to speak up about it and do what we can to help change what’s happening.
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