When you're an activist of any type, you know that those moments when mainstream media covers your issue, whatever it is, you've got a very small window to get the viewers and readers of those stories to turn from passive consumers into action takers. It's very easy to get people to comment on stories. It's a little harder to get people to share information. It's really, really hard to get people to take action and contact a legislator. It should not be this hard.
When a big story hits, your inbox goes crazy. Mixed in with information about what other people in your networks are doing and people asking you legitimate questions are some of the most vile and disgusting messages. These range from the ridiculous to rape threats and death threats.
Worse than this are the people who know you and actively try to discourage you. Yesterday, an activist I know got messages that she was going overboard with her gunsense information and call to action posts, in the wake of a great tragedy and on a day when it was especially important to get as much legislative contact from the public at large as possible.
Worse than this is the silence from people who, when you need them to show up, are nowhere to be found.
People need us now. They need you now. They need you every day. They need you to show up.
Young activists are tired of you talking about the future. We are here and now and trying to make a difference right now. Where are you?
There are those in the LGBTQ+ community who are scared and hurt. Some of these people are out and some are not, but knowing that someone cares about them enough to publicly take action on their behalf to show support could be the ray of sunshine that cuts through the clouds and reminds them that someone cares and helps them go on. Where are you?
If you are tired of excuses from our legislators as to why they can't do anything, where are you?
Stop making excuses. Stop being a coward. Inform yourself and take just one moment out of your life to do something. Have somebody's back. Show somebody you have their back.
Here are the emails, phone numbers, and Twitter handles of every member of Congress:
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT LEGISLATORS
This is the easiest thing in the world you can do.
This will take less than five minutes.
Seriously, all you have to do is call or email or tweet and say "I care about this thing."
What do you care about? What important things do you care about? Show up.
Thoughts and prayers are for you. Do something for somebody else.
Your silence hurts. Your silence kills.
