We have a poster in our house that a list of things you can do to build community. It includes things like:
- Turn off your TV
- Talk to your mail carrier
- Sit on your front stoop
- Organize a block party
- Mediate a conflict
I love this poster and I do several things on it, though less during the pandemic. These are things that can make a difference, and most of the items on the list most people in North America can do, though, again maybe not under the current circumstances.
Turn on the news these days and we see the many problems the world is facing. In addition to the pandemic, there’s economic and racial inequality, black and Indigenous individuals losing their lives or being disproportionately arrested by various law enforcement, gun violence, climate change, transphobia, child abuse, and political polarization. Many of us want to do something, but the number and severity of these problems can be overwhelming so we often freeze and do nothing or burn out trying to do everything.
I was thinking about this when I spotted our “How to Build Community” poster and was reminded that one person can’t do everything, but we can each do something. Something we can do may be big, while others may seem small.
Here are some ideas:
- Shop local
- Be a witness – see something happening, don’t just walk away
- Listen to others, especially those who may not always be heard
- Question what you see on social media and refrain from sharing it if you haven’t verified if it’s true
- Say please and thank you
- Acknowledge others you pass on the street
- Call or write letters to your representatives about issues your troubled about
- Take care of your mental health
- Donate – money, old clothes, books, toys, etc.
- Volunteer
- Wear a mask
- Check your assumptions about others
- Vote
- Be informed, but avoid “doom scrolling”
What else could be on your list? What things could you do every day?
