Unfortunately, we live in very precedented times. Fascism is on the rise, the U.S. is embarking on another campaign of terror in West Asia, and a concerning number of people are at best apathetic and at worst outright supportive toward the current state of affairs. It was only just over 20 years ago that the Bush Administration used the pretense of 9/11 to pillage Iraq and expand the surveillance state through the USA PATRIOT Act. Today, although opposition to the increasingly tyrannical Trump Administration does exist, it remains divided on everything from basic tactics to long-term strategic goals.

From this point of view, it’s easy to feel pessimistic, unmotivated and even frustrated — you wouldn’t be wrong to feel that way. After all, the two-party trap is built to stifle political projects independent of formal power structures, and worse, it obscures the fact that those are an option in the first place. 

People often feel defeated because they mistake the way things currently are for the way things will always be. Many Americans did not fight the system of Jim Crow because they thought it would last forever, that it was the natural state of things. They thought this primarily because they benefited from segregation. Similarly, people today accept the dominance of the two-party system because they cannot imagine — or do not want — better alternatives.

However, any serious look at the world around us shows that societal forces are in constant flux, always either materializing or fading away. The dominant forces of today will dwindle tomorrow. But this isn’t an excuse to do nothing. The forces of exploitation will not leave the stage of history willingly; they will need to be shoved out. 

Returning to the example of Jim Crow, the system of segregation in the American South did not simply dissolve on its own; it was overthrown by the power of the organized African American masses and their white sympathizers. And today, we cannot hope to throw out the two-party system without an organized united front of oppressed and disaffected people.

A recurring theme here is that it takes conscious action of the broad masses of people to make change. Therefore, it is inexcusable for any person who claims to want change to not also be organized and actively working toward their goals. In other words, you have to put your money where your mouth is!

But what does “getting organized” mean? For one, it’s more than just going to protests. Attending protests is all good and well, but it’s not enough on its own to effect change. What matters is what happens after those protests; it’s about asking yourself, “What now?” It’s about building collective, sustainable power, oriented toward specific goals.

So what can you do now? First, identify the cause you care about. You’ll be most motivated to work inside an organization if they are championing causes that you’re passionate about. 

Second, you need to actually join an organization; there is no such thing as organizing by yourself. Fortunately, there are plenty of organizations in Alexandria, including — but not limited to — Alexandria For Palestinian Human Rights, ICE Out of Alexandria, the Free DC campaign, and the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America. 

Third, get as involved as possible, but don’t overcommit. There are a number of ways you can contribute your skills to these organizations, such as flyering, zine writing, electoral canvassing, organizing an educational event, mobilizing people to show out for a specific cause, supporting mutual aid networks, and so on. On the other hand, be careful not to overextend yourself because this can cause burnout.

Fourth, be open to giving and receiving constructive criticism. This is how organizations — and people — grow and consolidate. This is especially important if you’re new to organizing because you’re going to make mistakes and it’s essential to learn from them.

Lastly, be patient. There’s no such thing as quick results when it comes to organizing for something you care about. Sometimes you’ll even face setbacks, but that’s part of the process. The best thing you can do is learn from your experiences and keep your nose to the grindstone.

If we want to create genuine change, we must use our collective power to turn forward the wheel of progress, which is at the present moment held back by the agents of imperialist domination and fascist tyranny. We must break their hold on society if we have any hope of moving forward. What I demand of you now is to take action, to get organized, and to seize the time!