1) SHOW UP - Go to websites of socially involved groups that you respect and show up at events that are hosted by them. Some groups I recommend are Amnesty International, Move On.org, Courage Campaign, Get Equal, ANSWER, GreenPeace, Soulforce and Occupy Wall Street.
2) SPEAK OUT - Talk to people you know about human rights and how one person or group's struggle affects all persons and groups. Share your personal stories of how not having all the rights that are promised to every human being affects you in your regular daily life. When we share of ourselves, we show people that inequality is not some abstract theory. It's an issue that affects real people's lives, real people that they know and care about.
3) STAND UP - If you see discrimination or acts of discrimination or bigotry in front of you, around you or in the media, stand up and report it to the proper authorities. If there is an act of violence going on, call the local police immediately. You can also organize peaceful, nonviolent protests, phone, twitter and email blasts, blog about social injustice, create petitions to stand up against discrimination. You don't have to be a great leader to do great things.
4) ORGANIZE - Start a Social Justice group where you are and organize other people interested in nonviolent activism and nonviolent civil disobedience for equality for all people.
5) DO WHAT YOU CAN AND DO IT NONVIOLENTLY - It does not strengthen our cause if we make strides by stepping on others or if we do it by hurting our opposition. We are called to rise above their tactics. We need to be stronger and more disciplined then the haters. Gandhi effectively practiced this and created the nation of India. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr effectively practiced this and moved more hearts and minds towards civil rights than any other person in our nation's history.
Take this Pledge of Nonviolence, originally written by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, modified by Rev. Kelly Hart for Poz Activists Network
- I will meditate regularly on the life and teachings of my predecessors who changed the world not with a fist but with compassion.
- I will remember that the nonviolent movement seeks justice and reconciliation - not victory.
- I will walk and talk in the manner of respect and nonviolence.
- I will contemplate daily on what I can do so that all can be treated equally.
- I will put my own personal wishes secondary to the goal that all might be equal.
- I will observe the ordinary rules of courtesy with friends and foes.
- I will perform regular acts of kindness for others and for the world.
- I will refrain from violence of fist, tongue, and heart.
- I will strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
- I will work in agreement with the terms and direction agreed upon by the group on our nonviolent direct actions.
- I will always remember that compassion and equality begins with me so I will treat all people with compassion and as my equal.
- As I am not promised a tomorrow, I will live each day as my last and treat each person as I would like to be treated.
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