Sunday evening, one of my YouTube subscribers let me know that, as a result of the US’s tariffs on Canada, he was boycotting all things related to the US including his donation to US-based YouTube creators.
At first I didn’t know what to make of the comment. Part of me was hurt, like this was all a misunderstanding: I didn’t want these tariffs anymore than he did. What power did I have? And how would withholding a financial donation to me help anything? Wasn’t that just making the problem worse?
And yet, I wasn’t really upset with him. I was bothered, sure, but in a way I couldn’t really express. I felt unsettled and twisted up inside. I felt like we were being manipulated into being enemies.
After stewing for a bit, I responded that I understood, and that I appreciated that he’d shared his decision, and then I went to bed.
***
“What are we going to do?” I asked my husband the next morning. We were sitting on the hearth in front of the fire, sipping from our oversized mugs of coffee.
“What can we do?” my husband countered.
“I don’t know, but we can’t afford to do nothing, right? They’ve literally handed us the book on what they want to do,” I said, “and just because we don’t know what to do, it doesn’t mean we don’t have a responsibility to figure out something.”
***
All that day, I felt sad. I knew the barrage of executive orders would ebb and flow, from day to day and minute to minute. I didn’t want to get unnecessarily caught up in the chaos — I definitely didn’t want to give the prez that much sway over my moods — but that emotional roller coaster (the one I could, more or less, opt out of) was a whole other experience for those who were being forced to ride it. Those people, their livelihoods and relationships and communities, were at stake. Unlike me, they didn’t have the luxury of simply watching The Crazy unspool.
***
That afternoon, a friend posted on Facebook: This website is golden! It is so helpful in figuring out which representative to call and what to say. DO IT! Call now. Today. Tomorrow. Maybe every day for 4 years. But this is our duty. Use your voice.
It took about three minutes for me to figure out how the website worked (it really is a breeze), and then I picked a topic (Musk) and called all three of my reps, bang, bang, bang. Today I picked another topic (tariffs) and again called all three.
In some ways, making phone calls feels as stupid and pointless as tossing a penny in a wishing well. Expressing my frustration and concern makes me feel like a whining middle-aged white woman. And maybe I am.
But there’s another way to look at it: speaking up takes practice, which is what these phone calls are — practice. And you know what? Even though the talking points are scripted, after only a couple calls, I began to use my own words. I said what I wanted to. What I needed to. It’s important, I think to take up space, clog the phone lines, verbalize the problem, make requests, and put my name on the record.
Maybe it’s a fool’s errand, and maybe it’s not. Either way, once again tomorrow, “call reps” will be on my to-do list.
***
All day yesterday, that YouTube subscriber’s comment ate at me. The prez, in a circuitous way, was impacting my relationships, my economic stability, and my integrity. It felt like a surprise attack.
And then I realized what my response to that commenter should’ve been. It should’ve been, simply, thank you.
Thank you…
…for taking a stance against what is happening in the US right now.
…for inconveniencing yourself in order to take a stand.
…for writing to me and explaining your actions.
…for unsettling me.
***
If you, too, are searching for things to do, here are a few ideas I’ve been considering.
- Order a yard sign. No matter where you are from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor.
- Invite friends for supper and brainstorm ideas together.
- Invite your church community to take action: God’s Love Knows No Borders (via Mennonite Action).
- Call, call, call. This is gonna be a marathon; pace yourself.
- To fellow white people: When you’re waiting to be served (at a coffee shop, say), and a Black or brown person arrives at the same time, let them be served first.
- Donate to Church World Service.
- Turn off the news for a day. Go for a walk. Go to bed early — not just tonight, but every night.
- Read this list of immigrant rights. Memorize it. Share it.
- Stay open. It’s okay to be uncomfortable.
What else would you add?
***
Photo credit: my older daughter. New neighbors moved in and brought their camels, and now I do a double-take everytime I drive past.
This same time, years previous: labor pains, a family milk cow, the quotidian (2.4.19), chicken and sausage gumbo, baked brie with cranberries and walnuts, object of terror, loss, a Wednesday list.
23 Comments
Corinne
Thanks for the link above- it is interesting and does look like a good starting point. Thank you for your writing, and the reminder from you and others here that we still have a little that we can be doing.
Kim from Philadelphia
5 calls is a great app! I’ve been keeping busy with it.
To all our Canadian friends; thank you for standing by us. It helps to know that our friends to the North know many of us do not agree with current insane policies
Melissa
If our hope is in Jesus, then we can rest in the security that none of this is a surprise to Him and He is holding it all. No matter which side of the political spectrum you are on, the government will not save you.
Carol S-B
Well said, Kat.
“Please know you are not alone… think of the many, many who did not vote for this…”
Kat
Hei, writing from Norway – we are watching this in utter disbelief. In times like these, I feel it it particularly important for all that believe in the rule of law, integrity and, I don’t know, living as a decent human being to stand together, no matter where we come from. I have been reading this blog for a very long time now; it has been a wonderful insight into American life. Please know that you are not alone – we think of the many, many who have not voted for this and feel only sympathy. En stor klem fra oss her!
Elizabeth
I started calling my senators and rep weekly, but in the last few days I’ve been doing it daily since I’m so angry at Musk and his 6 young boys. I am definitely not a phone person, but it turns out my anger gives me a lot to say, ha.
Jenny
Thank you, Jennifer! I have been trying to stay informed in the midst of all the chaos. It really helps having something concrete to do. I just made my calls and will be doing the same everyday.
Joan Kulp
Jennifer, what is the website that makes it easy to call our representatives?
Jennifer Jo
https://5calls.org/
Carol S-B
This is from a comment on Cup of Jo:
Lawmakers flooded with calls about Elon Musk: ‘It is a deluge on DOGE’
https://wapo.st/3WQ27cW
“Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said the Senate’s phones were receiving 1,600 calls each minute, compared with the usual 40 calls per minute.”
Well done, all of you! Keep going.
Donell Schetter
Jennifer, Thank you for this! Would you mind if I shared your post to spread the word?
Jennifer Jo
Of course, and thank you!
Theresa
I’m Canadian too and I think many of us are baffled. That more than 75 million Americans voted for the current administration, knowing (because he told them over and over) what he would do. We are a much smaller population so these numbers astonish us. And now watching things unravel and hearing our own sovereignty threatened, we feel called to protect our own democracy in the face of bullying, vulgar threats, and the dismantling of a civilization we have are adjacent to. It’s hard not to think this as an unelected man tears through your agencies and infrastructures. But of course I know that there is goodness in the US and I hope somehow your own democracy survives. I love your blog and your own goodness.
Carol S-B
I wish I could be reading about this time in a history book, rather than living through it.
It is quite obvious that a stated intention to take over another country is an attack. On sovereignty, on culture, on the people of that country.
And it is not just one man. It is the republican party, with the mandate of a majority of American people.
I am heartened to know that some American people have decided to resist in the most ways they are able. Jennifer, to you and you family I extend the utmost respect.
You show such strength.
Please keep going.
Although the Republicans are saying their weapons of choice are financial and economical, this threat of tariffs (Oh, but not yet, we’re just doing military exercises) is no less an attack than Russia mustering tanks at the border of the Ukraine. Less immediately bloody, sure. Long term? Hmm. The intent is very clear.
Rosemary Shenk
Thanks for the concrete advice! The volume of activity, chaos, upheaval and uncertainty (muzzle velocity) is a tactic to confuse and demoralize. Your suggestions are good ways to build resistance.
jurgen dorneburg
Thank You Jennifer for Understanding my Decision and that it is not against you as a Friend directed but as a Proud Canadian I simply cannot let it slide.I feel violated by the Treatment and by the Comments coming from your Government.Maybe to show what Neighbours are supposed to be,People should look at what happened in Gander,Newfoundland on 9/11.As for the Government Diplomacy is Key and not declaring to Annex Sovereign Countrys like Canada and Greenland.Take care and God bless you and your Family
DB Stewart
As a Canadian, I want to thank YOU. On either side of the border, we can’t be complacent about the oligarchy replacing your government making America “great” again through imperialism (?) colonialism (?) assholery. Who’s next? What’s next? Exhausting. Sorry to say it, but we too are shifting away from American products and services; we know two couples who have canceled trips to the US this week, one was planning to buy property. There’s not much we can do other than assert ourselves through our wallets. Sigh.
CRowe
Hi Jennifer,
I am a Canadian who deeply appreciates your insights, integrity and perspective regarding your new government and the alarming sequence of events since the First Psychopath was inaugurated. Canadians have watched in horror as he and his henchmen systematically attack, dismantle, disrespect, and discredit most of the pillars and norms of American life — the U.S. civil service, government agencies, treaties, foreign aid, education, health care and environmental protections – reshaping them with self-serving, partisan, pseudo-Christian, and blatantly unconstitutional and illegal tactics
.
As you know, this past weekend Canada (and Mexico) was threatened with extortionate tariffs, a full-on trade war, and strong-man tactics in the name of fighting border insecurity and the fentanyl crisis. Despite the last-minute 30-day tariff reprieve that was granted, most Canadians have lost all of their trust in the US, and there is a level of antagonism, disgust and rage towards all things American on a level never seen before. The devastating impact to the economy on both sides of the border cannot be overstated. Canadian patriotism is at an all time high, and most folks are talking about strategies to ‘Buy Canada’, cancel all U.S. travel, boycott USA goods, and pursue partnerships with countries that are more interested in the mutual advantages that diplomatic agreements imply. The relationship has been broken, and many say they will never trust the U.S. again. [American protectionism, xenophobia, and racism play in to this as well.]
It’s truly heartening to know that there are folks like yourself who are fighting the good fight. I wish you all the very best as you contend with the orange maggot in your midst. It’s clear that it’s gonna be a very long four years. We will continue to hope that our mutual economic crisis has been averted, but nobody’s feeling too good about anything at this juncture – did I mention that our trust is broken?? All the best to you and your family.
Corinne
Jennifer, I vaguely remember reading a post you wrote years back about an organization which focuses on preserving the US Constitution, a group you joined maybe? Am I misremembering? I’ve been thinking about that, wondering how I can make sure to stay educated and informed on actions I can take part in. I searched but can’t find a blog post that is familiar. I don’t know what to do, but staying informed is a start.
Jennifer Jo
I’m not exactly sure… There was a group called Hold The Line, but the name’s confusing since there’s a conservative group with that same title (and I don’t think the organization I was working with is currently doing that much, or at least not that I’ve heard).
I’ve heard about (but have not yet read/used) Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink. That might be a starting point…
Susan
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for speaking up! I am Canadian and you have reminded me that there are good Americans. We are living in a frightening time. My hope is that the silent majority will no longer be silent.
Cheryl
Thank you for the info. It makes me feel a bit less helpless and more hopeful.
kingdomzany0e660c0a62
The free app to install that, when you give your zip code, tells you your members of Congress with their contact info and provides suggested scripts for a number of important topics is 5 Calls.