Politics

What Are You Doing To Make A Difference?

If you are concerned about the future of our country under the leadership of this incoming administration, now is the time to step up to the plate and take action.

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Donald Trump (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty)

Donald Trump (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty)

As you all know, this is a legal technology column. I write about legal technology because it is a passion of mine. Usually I have no problem putting “pen to paper” when tasked with writing about this topic.

But today — today is an exception. My heart isn’t in it and I simply cannot, in good conscience, write about legal technology for today’s column. Because today, my thoughts are elsewhere in the aftermath of this contentious, tumultuous election.

Rather than focus on the negatives, however, my goal today is to instead take a proactive approach to effect change post-election. Like many lawyers, I am deeply concerned about the effects that the president-elect and his administration will have on our constitutional and civil rights.

But, instead of wringing my hands and fretting over the situation, I am taking action and encourage you to do the same. As lawyers, we are uniquely qualified to advocate and represent the interests of those who will be most impacted by the racist, xenophobic, homophobic, and misogynistic actions of some of President-elect Trump’s supporters and the presumed policies that this administration will enact.

This is a pivotal time in our history, and for those of us who oppose what this administration stands for, we cannot be complacent. We must take steps today to support groups already established that will fight for the all-inclusive America that we know and love, while simultaneously organizing on a local level to support those who will be most impacted in the months to come.

There are many, many ways to accomplish these goals. Since election night, I’ve thought long and hard about the steps I can take to get the ball rolling and offer them here, simply as suggestions of things that can be done to make a change, right here, right now.

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First, I set up recurring donations to the following organizations:

Like most people, I have limited resources and had to prioritize and choose organizations that I felt would address a wide range of issues. Other worthy organizations that you might consider donating to include:

I also donated to Foster Campbell’s Senate campaign in Louisiana. There is a Senate seat in play and a runoff election occurring. Now is the time to do what you can to make a difference in that race.

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I’m also incredibly concerned about First Amendment rights and free press under this administration. Free, unencumbered press is fundamental to a democratic society and one way to support news organizations that provide quality, in-depth reporting is to put your money where your mouth is. That’s why I’ve subscribed, for the first time ever, to both the New York Times and the Washington Post. Another option is to donate to ProPublica, an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.

I also participated in protests in Manhattan when I was there with my family last week; not to protest the election, but to voice my disagreement with the policies and behavior of our president-elect, both on the campaign trail and in the past. I’m also planning to participate in the upcoming protest in Washington, D.C., the Women’s March, on January 21st. The right to assemble and peacefully protest is likewise another important First Amendment right that I believe will be under siege in the months that follow and I plan to exercise it regularly throughout this presidency.

I’m also wearing a safety pin to show my solidarity with my fellow citizens of all races, religions, and sexual orientations. It’s a small gesture but one that publicly shows that I oppose discrimination in all its forms and will stand up and oppose it if it happens in my presence.

Finally, I’ve organized a group of nearly 40 like-minded locals, including many lawyers, who would like to start taking steps to help those who will be most affected by the predicted policies of this new administration. Our first meeting will be this upcoming weekend, where we will establish our focus and begin planning to make a change in our local community.

So that’s what I’m doing to make a difference post-election. I am but one person; however I can, and will, do my best to have a positive impact and effect change in the upcoming months and years. If you, like me, are concerned about the future of our country under the leadership of this incoming administration, now is the time to step up to the plate and take action.

In closing, I ask you this: If not now, when? What can you do to make a difference?

Niki BlackNicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney and the Legal Technology Evangelist at MyCase, web-based law practice management software. She’s been blogging since 2005, has written a weekly column for the Daily Record since 2007, is the author of Cloud Computing for Lawyers, co-authors Social Media for Lawyers: the Next Frontier, and co-authors Criminal Law in New York. She’s easily distracted by the potential of bright and shiny tech gadgets, along with good food and wine. You can follow her on Twitter at@nikiblack and she can be reached at niki.black@mycase.com.

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