The HPA’s Top 7 Ways to Make Activism Part of Your New Year’s Resolution:
2016 was rough. Make 2017 better by resolving to make social activism a priority in the new year. By dedicating just a few minutes a week to a cause that matters to you, you can start to make a big difference in your community and your world, so we here at the Harry Potter Alliance have compiled some of our favorite ways to get started:
- Activism starts with staying educated on the issues, so resolve to stay engaged and informed in the new year. Keep up with a variety of credible non-partisan news sources on both the national and local level, and, if you can subscribe to a newspaper to support detailed investigative journalism. For key updates on ways to make a difference on the headlines (and a lot of puns), follow the HPA on Twitter and Facebook.
- Resolve to send your local local congressperson an owl about the issues you care about. Aside from voting, contacting your government representatives directly is the best way to make sure they’re doing their job of making your voice heard, and they want to hear from you. You can express a concern, bring an issue to their attention, or even just let them know that they’re doing a great job. Find senators’ contact info here and house representatives’ here. Don’t forget to check out our updated resources and ideas on what to write/talk to your congressperson about and share your awesome action with us @thehpalliance .
- Resolve to get hands-on. Make a tangible difference on your local community by joining your local HPA chapter or volunteering at a local charity. Food banks, shelters, community centers, legal aid groups, and countless other organizations rely on volunteer support to make their missions happen, and resolving to donate just a little bit of your time on a regular basis could make a world of difference. Find organizations that are doing work you care about and visit them online or in person to find out how you can get involved.
- Resolve to keep communicating openly and honestly about issues that matter, even with people who might not agree. In such a polarized political climate, this simple action might seem like one of the hardest on this list, but that makes it all the more important. Activists know that issues don’t go away if not confronted and that beliefs change only through exploration and challenge. In 2017, step outside the echo chamber, listen, learn, and make your voice heard.
- Use your resolution to start a revolution of involvement in your community by starting your own Harry Potter Alliance chapter. Gather a group of friends and join our fun, supportive community of fan activists who believe that the stories we love can inspire and empower real social change. Across the globe, our chapter members are making real social change while gaining valuable leadership skills and having a blast (-ended skrewt) while they’re at it, and you can too.
- Resolve to relax. Yes, you read that right: relax. A new year brings new, important work to be done to promote a more equitable society, protect the rights of oppressed groups, and fight against injustice and inequality. A good activist knows that their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being is their most important tool, so resolve to take time for self-care in 2017. Visit Madam Pudifoot’s for a nice cup of tea or just spend some laid-back time with a friend to recharge.
- Resolve to keep fighting for what you know is right. In the words of Rubeus Hagrid, “[w]hat’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.” 2017 will bring with it new and unforeseen challenges, but, with hard work and some good friends you can face it and make the world a better place along the way. The weapon we have is love, and that’s more than enough to save us all.
Happy New Year.
Love,
The HPA
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