Every Voice Counts

Since March 2017 when Resistbot came alive, there have been 4.8 million individuals who have texted and tweeted their way to becoming part of the Resistance. Among them, there are hundreds of thousands of additional ideas as to what the act of resistance looks like. What tugs at the heartstrings of one person and prompts them to action is not necessarily the same for anyone else. And, those differences are what makes the world go ‘round.

There are those for whom resistance is a full-throated cry of dissent, and then there are others for whom resisting is barely above a whisper. Some of us stand on street corners holding signs, screaming into a megaphone about the injustices that befall our neighbors. Others gather with friends and write encouraging postcards that are sent to voters participating in elections all across this great nation.

Some of us refuse to do business with companies who spend millions on anti-LGBTQ organizations. We refuse to buy products from companies whose vision is not in line with our values. In doing so, we resist with our wallets.

Still others take small steps on a national stage and send a message of resistance by declining invitations to what is arguably one of the most important homes in our nation.

Since 1924, championship baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and football teams have been invited to the White House by the sitting president. In the almost 100 years that have passed since the tradition began, there have been many athletes who have given 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue a hard pass.

These “no thanks” increased considerably in recent years beginning with team members from the 2017 New England Patriots, including LaGarette Blount who said he “did not feel welcome in that house.” That same year, NBA champs the Golden State Warriors were un-invited — although no actual invite had yet been extended — following comments by Stephen Curry, who stated that he would decline such an invitation. Most recently, Washington Nationals pitcher, Sean Doolittle, joined the ranks of professional athletes who have made public their own views on the state of our democracy and the individual who should be the leader of the free world but who, instead, governs by tweets and temper-tantrums.

To be sure, acts of resistance on a world stage have the power to influence millions. And, for those whose voice carries the longest and loudest, the ripple effect from their resistance has the power to gather many in its wake.

But, they are no more important than the lawyer who gives of her time to help immigrants apply for asylum. No more important than the boy next door who drives his elderly neighbors to the polls. No more important than the one that calls out racism or sexism around the water-cooler. No more important than the volunteer who knocks on doors, registers new voters, and shares words of hope with the politically disenchanted.

There is a place for everyone in the Resistance. No matter what your education level is, no matter what talents you may or may not have, there is room for the biggest and smallest among us who want to leave the world a bit better than we found it.

Whether your stage is set before millions or only a few, your voice brings us one step closer to a just society.

What you can do

Put your thumbs to work by sending STATE, CONGRESS, GOVERNOR, or PRESIDENTto Resistbot, and write a letter to each of your officials with your thoughts on the issues that are most important to you.

And, when you are done writing your letter; think about texting MOMS to find a Moms Demand Action event near you, STAND to find a street corner protest, MOVEON and find a rally to join, or better yet RUN to sign up to run for office yourself. 💪🏽

You can talk to Resistbot on Facebook Messenger, Telegram, or Twitter direct message. If none of those work for you, Resistbot also supports old fashioned SMS: text RESIST to 50409 to get started. It takes 2 minutes to resist. 🤖