Some people have dedicated their lives to social action; others can barely find time to make it to the voting booth on election day. The excuses we give for not being politically active are the same ones we give for not starting an exercise routine: "I'm too busy," "I'm too shy," "I haven't done it in so long." But anything can fit into your life if you make it part of your routine. Just like exercise, activism can become an integral part of your life, increasing in intensity as time goes on. Our advice: start slow, and keep to your own pace.
The activism suggestions are listed in order of difficulty. The way you choose to fight the radical right is up to you — the trick is to create a schedule for your activism so that you keep on fighting.
LEVEL 1
Beginners should strive to undertake at least once action a month. Mark a day on your calendar. You can devote as little as fifteen minutes at first and gradually work yourself up to a half hour or more. Think through which issues you'd like to take on — what are your goals and capabilities? Use this time to educate yourself and others about the radical right by subscribing to newsletters that track right wing politics. Perhaps the most enjoyable way to embark on your path to social activism is to enlist a friend or two to join you in your efforts.
LEVEL 2
Aim for at least one action every week, building on activities you've already tried. Set aside a half hour every Monday night, for example, to write a legislator about something in the news that struck you that week. Begin to break out of your "armchair" by scheduling a visit with a local policy maker.
LEVEL 3
Keep to a weekly schedule, but broaden your audience and contacts. Write an op-ed piece for your local paper, or join an organization working for social change. You may want to start organizing your community — begin by inviting a few friends and neighbors over for a letter-writing party. Keep up a steady pace, but most importantly, have fun. The rewards of working to make a difference, whether on your own or with other people, are surprisingly rich.
KEEPING AN EYE ON THE RIGHT
For all activists, the first task is to stay informed. Right wing groups, knowing that most people will not support their more extreme ideas, consistently use stealth tactics. But secrecy is their Achilles heel — once people see what they're really up to, their effectiveness is crippled. So dig deep, armchair activists, and share your discoveries with the world.
Besides researching the radical right, you'll be learning the skills it takes to navigate the American political system. Much of this knowledge is best acquired by firsthand participation — but the next best thing is to task someone who's been there. If this is your first attempt to get politically involved, reach out to other activists who can show you the ropes. If you're lucky, you may even find yourself a mentor. And before long, you'll have your own information worth sharing. You'll become part of the informal nationwide network of fight-the-right activists.
Your research will be much more useful if you put a little thought into organizing it. Facts on paper are worth more than vague mental impressions, especially if they're filed in some rational way. When you observe rightists at a public event, concentrate on gathering factual data: How many people are in attendance? Who are they? What groups do they belong to? When it comes time to share information with other activists, your systematic research will be invaluable.
TRACKING THE RIGHT
What is the right up to in your area? Here are some ways to find out:
For an update on the right's latest exploits and political targets, stay tuned to its media propaganda, including: