Defend Institutions
“It is institutions that help us to preserve decency. They need our help as well. Do not speak of “our institutions” unless you make them yours by acting on their behalf. Institutions do not protect themselves. They fall one after the other unless each is defended from the beginning. So, choose an institution you care about–a court, a newspaper, a law, a labor union–and take its side.
Timothy Snyder, author of On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From the Twentieth Century, 2017.
(A reminder that I am paraphrasing Dr. Snyder in this post. If you want his entire message, I encourage you to read the book.)
I do think that Dr. Snyder’s message here is very clear. If you believe in something strongly, it is your duty to support it in whatever way that you can.
Do you value good journalism? Subscribe to a publication that offers a printed version of their work. In this way you support news organizations that pay journalists to gather, edit, vet and publish factual news from real sources with actual evidence.
Do you value the vote? Support organizations like Project Vote Smart or Fair Fight.
Do you know anyone or of anyone that is suffering during COVID-19? Support legislation to help them financially, donate to your local food bank, encourage your friends and families to get involved.
Don’t stand by and think that someone else will do the work. You need to do the work. Find the cause that you value and help it to do its work.
