Invest:
There are many ways to invest. “Obvious”-ly, you can (& should) invest your time, your effort/energy, &/or your money. So let’s start there.
You/we have to decide where our investments have the most leverage. Which issues are you willing to commit to? What problems do you think you can help solve? (Here’s where you get to, you know, speak up, by leaving a comment.) Here are a few areas/ideas that I have, but mine is just one voice (though, I’d love to hear what you think about my ideas):
US Senate races: https://www.270towin.com/2020-senate-election/ (we have to take back the Senate…period. So, this needs to be one of the issues, IMO, or the rest don’t matter.)
Racial injustice: https://colorofchange.org/
Removing plastics from the Oceans: https://theoceancleanup.com/
Indoor, non-GMO, soil-less, pesticide-free, vertical farming (aka “hydroponics”): https://aerofarms.com/
Solar/renewable rebates and initiatives, by state: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Campaign finance reform: https://www.commoncause.org/our-work/money-influence/campaign-finance/
Like I said, a few ideas, pretty much off the top of my head. Pick one, &/or, add one. But until you have some “skin in the game,” it’s all just talk. I’m trying to be about action! So, let’s brainstorm a little, come up with some high-impact, high-leverage investments we can make—of time, effort &/or money—and let’s make them.
Ostracize:
Okay, this one can be tricky, and probably shouldn’t be your first reaction to anyone who isn’t immediately on board. But it’s something to think about, to use sparingly-but-powerfully, and, IMO, with an explanation grounded in an effort to change minds. Case in point, Saints QB Drew Brees. He recently made some insensitive remarks about kneeling during the National Anthem as a means of protest. He was immediately called out on it by his teammates, and even by some of his peers from other teams. Hopefully, the message will get through to him. But if not, he will be ostracized. Players will not forget these remarks, and he will lose his leadership role in the locker room/huddle…as it should be. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. And especially if you’re publicly, intentionally, outwardly/vocally part of the problem, well, you’ve gotta go, bro’. From my social life, from my network, from my list of people I respect and want to interact with. No matter how hard or painful that is. Because it ain’t only/all about you! And we deserve better.
Okay, 5 down, 2 to go. But don’t wait until then to speak your mind. These crickets really aren’t such great company, TBH…