Donate to organizations that help people of color, immigrants, women, and other marginalized groups
Black Lives Matter is an activist group fighting for African American justice and safety. They hold protests, boycotts, and youth empowerment events and are inclusive of women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Check out their website to donate to the cause.
Image via: http://blacklivesmatter.com/about/
Planned Parenthood offers a wide variety of effective and meaningful services to women including ultrasounds, STD testing, birth control, emergency contraception and safe abortions. If you are worried about the women in your life, consider making a donation (in Mike Pence’s name, no less). Visit their website.
The protectors at Standing Rock need firewood, gas, paint, and other supplies in their fight for clean water and land rights. Consider helping them by sending much-needed items or money.
Survivors, Inc. is located right here in Gettysburg and provides a variety of services including support groups, therapy, legal advocacy, shelters, community education, and a hotline. Donate here.
Get educated
Attend events with the Women’s Center, LASA, SASA, BSU, GASA, Outerspace, or GECO. Read Surge to gain a deeper understanding of what students are experiencing on campus. Join the #wontstandforhate movement. Check out the African American Intellectual Historical Society’s syllabi and read up.
Image via: facebook.com/gburgouterspace
Walk a friend
Some people may not feel safe walking alone at night considering the number of hate crimes that have been reported since Donald Trump’s election. If you know of someone who feels unsafe, reach out to them and let them know that you are available, and if you haven’t heard from anyone specifically, consider posting on social media that you are a safe person to walk with.
Don’t be a bystander
If you witness someone being harassed or victimized, insert yourself. Distract or speak out against the attacker, or start up a conversation with the victim and get them out of the situation. Call campus security or 911 if you are witnessing a hate crime, and report any bias incidents you see. Use your privilege for good, and stand up to anyone perpetuating racism, sexism, Islamophobia, or xenophobia.
Call local senators and representatives
Do this every day. Call in, state your name, and urge your congressperson to denounce Donald Trump’s rhetoric and proposed ideas. Ask them to fight for refugee rights and immigration, to condemn and act against police brutality and racial profiling, to uphold marriage equality, to protect women’s health and sexual/reproductive rights, and to act on legislation protecting the environment. Get a group together and call every day, even multiple times a day, and target specific issues.