With the legislature reconvening soon, it’s hard not to imagine multiple attacks on LGBT+ and reproductive rights. These are items most Idahoans don’t want our legislature to focus on.
Instead, regular folks are more likely to be worried about the environment, housing costs, income inequality, threats to public education and having a government that really represents the people and their best interests. Will childcare be affected? How are single parents going to provide for their families? Will schools be funded properly?
You’re probably asking: How do I make it better? For many people, especially those with young families who work for poverty wages and who are trying to build a career, it’s difficult to find time to participate.
Improving our community can be as simple as being neighborly and welcoming to people in your community, no matter their identity and background. Maybe you can afford to send a few dollars to the local food bank or LGBT+ center. Maybe you can speak up when you hear someone say something that is demeaning to others or if they’re spreading misinformation. It could be as simple as making your workplace safer for diverse people in some small way.
Don’t forget to make phone calls and send letters to the legislature. It doesn’t matter how long the phone call is; legislators need to know we’re paying attention and voicing our concerns. If you have the time, you can testify to the legislature virtually or in person. You might be good at collecting signatures for petitions for causes that you believe in.
Whatever you choose to do, prioritize what is important to you. Use your strengths efficiently to make the biggest local impact and best use of your time. If you can, take a little time each day to learn about the issues where you feel you can make a difference so that you can carry that knowledge with you as you do some advocacy work. Maybe you can’t get out much or be around other people much due to a disability. Each can participate as they are able, and it is important not to criticize yourself or others for how you help.
Take it a step further if you can. Attend city council meetings and learn about the issues affecting your city. Do you know who your local leaders are or their voting history? What about who is on the school board or in the PTO/PTA? Making a difference in your child’s school or school district is a great way to start being involved.
Did you know someone is elected for offices like coroner and cemetery district? It’s good to know how these offices impact what’s going on in our communities. Who knows? Maybe you can put your best self forward and run for office. We need more everyday people who don’t look like the current leaders to represent our communities. It’s time for more community-minded people from various backgrounds to be seen working for our collective good at the local and state levels.
Cecile Pérez is a mental health advocate and professional, and the Legislative District 32 chair for the Bonneville County Democratic Central Committee.