Are we in the midst of a progressive awakening? Are the marches, rallies, and town-hall meetings the beginnings of a committed and long-term movement? The answer might be radically different depending on where you live. In New York State, where I live, the answer appears to be a resounding \u201cyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

What I\u2019m seeing in my community is that the gut-wrenching shock of election night has morphed into a steely determination to speak out and defend hard-fought gains in affordable healthcare; social justice; women\u2019s, minorities\u2019, and LGBT rights; and environmental policy. Organizing here is broad based and energetic, with two Indivisible groups\u2014Indivisible Chatham and Indivisible CD19\u2014cropping up within a distance of about twenty miles.<\/p>\n

A day doesn\u2019t go by without a torrent of emails, texts, and phone conversations sharing disbelief and anger about radical policy shifts based not on facts but on blind ideology. There\u2019s a deluge of emails screaming for signatures on petitions. There\u2019s the never-ending stream of online solicitations for donations. There are local and national calls for volunteers to brainstorm on tactics, organize and attend rallies, and make signs, protest, and write letters. The need to do something <\/em>has become nearly overwhelming.<\/p>\n

The resistance to Trump and the Republican-dominated House and Senate is strong and determined. Now that Democrats and progressives are in the minority in the halls of government the race is on to find the most effective tactics for influencing policy out on the streets. Hopefully, the new robust network of concerned citizens can maintain its super-charged momentum beyond the first one hundred days.<\/p>\n

Is there anything positive for progressives in the post-Trump political wilderness?<\/p>\n

Actually, there are many positives. Progressives are energized and coming out into the streets and engaging in public dialogue to define values, debate strategy, and set long-term goals. Individuals who were strangers before election night in November are becoming a community of activists and concerned citizens galvanized by the shock of Trump\u2019s election. Resistance and protest are being channeled in multiple ways. Some of us attend rallies or visit the offices of our elected officials. Others write letters to local editorial pages or compose posts like this one. Still others feel most comfortable making phone calls or sending emails to elected officials.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t forget the defeat of \u201crepeal and replace.\u201d Following that success, progressives may be justified in feeling cautiously empowered.<\/p>\n

However, important questions remain. Can the progressive protest movement hold together and stay motivated as Trump and the conservative ideologues deepen their assault on the fundamental responsibilities and functions of the federal government? Will the movement coalesce around a unified voice? Will the movement find qualified and electable candidates that can flip their districts in the 2018 elections? Only time will tell, but I believe that progressives\u2019 abhorrence of Trump and opposition to his administration\u2019s dishonesty, incompetence, and corrupt nature will surely deepen over time and grow as the real-life effects of Trump\u2019s executive orders and Republican complicity begin to be more broadly felt.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re certainly not out of the clouds yet, and stormy days may be coming\u2014both on the domestic and the international fronts. So now is a good time for progressives to pay heed to the lessons learned from earlier protest movements. Who better to give progressives advice than Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., and CEO of the King Center? Shortly after inauguration day, Ms. King shared on Facebook her recommendations on tactics for opposing Trump and the Republican majority. Here are a few.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t use his [Trump\u2019s] name\u2014ever. Remember, this is a regime and he\u2019s not acting alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not argue with those who support him\u2014it doesn\u2019t work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFocus on his policies . . . not his mental state.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep your message positive. They want the country to be angry and fearful because this is the soil from which their darkest policies grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you post or talk about him [Trump], don\u2019t assign his actions to him, assign them to the Republican administration or the Republicans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c[Make Republicans] take responsibility for their association with him or stand up for what some of them don\u2019t like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDeny Trump the focus or attention he craves.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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