Thread by @GeorgeLakoff

How to keep democracy alive in 2025:

1. Be Brave. Avoid helpless/hopeless talk. Authoritarians want you to feel powerless because it makes their work easier. Courage, faith, and optimism are essential. Fascism feeds on cynicism and pessimism. Starve it.

2. Cultivate empathy. One way authoritarians defeat democracy is by trying to destroy empathy. Their strategies depend on dehumanization and division. One of the best ways to resist is to actively cultivate empathy. Democracy depends on empathy.

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3. Stay focused. Authoritarians try to overwhelm you with constant attacks to keep you distracted and unbalanced. Maintain a steely focus on what matters: Your health, your family, and the survival of our country. the rule of law. Keep your eye on the big picture.

4. Be Proactive. Defeating authoritarianism will require a movement of dedicated citizens. Get involved in your community. Show up to protests and meetings. If you can, donate to organizations doing crucial pro-democracy work. You have more power than you think.

5. Foster real connections. One way authoritarian regimes isolate people is by encouraging fear and distrust. Fight back by building strong relationships with neighbors, friends, and coworkers. Find ways to connect beyond political differences and strengthen your community.

6. Avoid brain rot and lies. Social media is overrun with clickbait traps that profit from outrage and misdirection. Block these and seek out legitimate information sources grounded in truth and reality. Subscribe to trusted media outlets so journalism survives – we’ll need it.

7. Share a positive message when possible. Trump and his ilk want the country to be fearful and polarized because this is the soil from which their darkest policies will grow. While it’s essential to stand in fierce opposition to his regime, we must also stand FOR something.

8. Demand accountability. Authoritarians thrive on impunity. It’s critical to hold leaders, corporations, and institutions accountable. Insist on accountability. Corruption and injustice wither under the light of scrutiny.

9. Engage young people. The next generation will inherit the consequences. Engage young people in conversations about democracy, freedom, justice, and the climate crisis. Empower them with tools, education, and mentorship to shape the future.

10. Don’t help Trump. Some of Trump's opponents are obsessed with focusing on him personally; thus, they unwittingly amplify and boost his propaganda. By focusing solely on Trump – his ridiculous statements, mannerisms, and antics – Trump's opponents market him.

11. Don’t argue with his supporters. It doesn't work. Your chances of converting a pro-Trump voter are virtually zero. Their support for him is now a physical structure in their brains. Instead of arguing with Trump supporters, focus on motivating pro-democracy citizens.

12. Remember: This is a regime. Trump is not acting alone. He is a puppet of powerful would-be oligarchs who want a government of the billionaires, by the billionaires, and for the billionaires. Expose them.

13. Learn from history. Authoritarianism, oligarchy, and tyranny are not new. Study past movements for democracy and justice to understand what works and what doesn't. History is full of lessons and inspiration to guide us in our current struggle.

14. Support artists and the arts. Literature, music, and art are crucial to a healthy society and a functioning democracy. Fund them and support them in every way you can. Artists, musicians, and writers will help inspire the changes we need. Buy tickets, buy art, buy books!

15. Take care of yourself. This will be a challenging era. Saving democracy will take lots of energy, passion, and stamina. Take care of your health. Get plenty of sleep. Drink lots of water. Exercise. We’re all in this together – for the long haul.

16. Celebrate victories. The road to preserving freedom and democracy will be long and challenging, but it’s essential to recognize progress when it happens. Celebrating victories – no matter how small – can keep hope alive. Optimism and spirit matter!

17. Persist! Persistence is the best resistance.

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