When I see politicians advocating for irrational legislation, my instinct is to turn away and focus on happier things. But when I see the ripple effects that bad policies cause – homelessness, crime, hunger, and poverty – I remember how important it is to stay involved and passionate.
If you’re one of the people connected to me on LinkedIn, you may remember that my invitation to join often says, “together we can change the world.” Most of you seem to get it, and I love that.
After all, changing the world is what we social workers (does it matter that I am not a social worker – I am a Counselor doing social work??) do. Most of us entered the field to be part of the solution. While the definition of “the solution” differs from person to person, most people want to help others in the most effective ways possible.
Unfortunately, as we work on our mission of changing the world for the better, we all encounter barriers. Sometimes those barriers can be navigated, but often they present a frustrating roadblock that stops our progress. And frequently, public policy is the barrier.
It’s crazy to think that public policy, theoretically designed to help people, can actually be the thing that prevents us from doing what needs to be done. But if you’re in the social work world, you’ve been there. So, what can we do? How can we actually change the world together?
Vote, But Don’t Stop There
I’m a big fan of voting. There are all sorts of reasons voting makes a difference; representing marginalized people, amplifying your voice, supporting the best candidate, and being counted. But even if your candidate doesn’t win, there are many effective strategies you can use to keep fighting for change.
Stay Informed on Legislation
Even if your preferred candidate did not win the election, you still have an array of options to help you ensure your voice is heard.
The first step is to stay informed on bills in consideration and send comments on how you want your representative to vote. While one email may not change a vote, a sea of emails will soften a legislator’s resolve.
Both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives maintain websites with a list of bills under consideration. Each state has similar websites. In Washington State, websites also feature functions that allow citizens to comment on the legislation. This same website instructs Washingtonians on how to participate in virtual committee hearings and submit written testimony. This written testimony becomes part of the archived legislative record. The website also supplies step-by-step directions for citizens who choose to have their position noted in the record.
Sometimes, it’s neither fast nor easy to read through legislation and figure out what, exactly, is at stake. You may find that much of the bill in consideration has little to do with your life or your concerns. That’s why some policy groups, such as The Women’s Congressional Policy Institute and The Brookings Institute, work hard to identify and highlight controversial legislation. The ACLU posts action notices about state and federal legislation relating to constitutional issues. In Washington State, groups such as the Community Action Partnership are good at tracking legislation related to social issues.
Each organization uses its own criteria to determine if legislation is important or controversial, so it makes sense to do your homework, find the groups that closely align with your concerns and passions, and work through them to stay informed on relevant state and national legislation.
Talk to Your Politicians
Start by sharing your views with policymakers. Sending short, professional, and informative emails about challenges in your life and your profession are one way to get elected or appointed officials to pay attention.
If you see barriers to progress, even if you’re not sure of the solution, it helps to send messages to elected officials. If crime is high, funds are too low, or you see too many people suffering unjustly, send emails. It sounds simple, but when enough people talk about the problems in society, politicians pay attention.
- Want to let the President know how you feel on specific issues? You can get contact info here.
- Obtain contact info for U.S. Senators here.
- Find contact info for U.S. Representatives here.
- Congress.gov offers a list of state legislatures’ websites.
- If you live in Washington State, you can find your Representatives here.
- Get contact information for state governors on this website.
- The contact information for many mayors can be found on this website.
- Or use a search engine like Google. For example, if you key in “How do I contact the mayor of my town?” you should get a selection of sites that provide contact info. Being more specific helps. For example, keying in “How do I contact the mayor of Spokane, Washington?” brings up a list of relevant search results. This strategy also works if you’re looking for contact information for other public offices, such as the chief of police, council members, and public authorities.
Become Part of a Crowd
It’s easy to drown out one voice. But it’s impossible to silence an ocean of dissent. That’s why it’s so important to find like-minded organizations. If you can’t find one that supports your cause of beliefs, create your own group.
Creating an organization doesn’t have to take up all your time or money. Instead, you can start small by creating petitions or organizing public events. Setting up small, manageable protests not only amplifies your voice but also attracts other like-minded people.
Happily, it’s easy to find great instructions and advice for activism online.
Here are a few of my favorite sites.
How to Organize a Protest – Amnesty International
How to Create a Petition – Working America
How to Create a Petition – The Constitution Center.Org
Even a Little Bit Helps
Listen, activism is not a “one-size-fits-all” proposition. Sometimes the scope of the world’s problems seems hopeless. But you don’t have to right every wrong. Just keep chipping away at the problems in the ways that make the most sense for you. Spend whatever time you can on political activism, even if it’s just a few minutes a week.
Stay Motivated!
As people working in the social work field, we already do so much in our professional careers to help people. So we can feel a little tapped out at the end of the day. When you get that hopeless feeling, remember the wise words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.“