How To Use Your Postcards to Fuel the Resistance

The power of the pen, among other tools you can use to support democracy

Dear Contrarian,

Thank you for your purchase of our Art of Resistance postcard set!

It’s summer; the perfect time to use these to correspond with friends, family, and community. Resistance is a collective act, and simply checking in with others helps boost morale and keep spirits afloat during these tempestuous times. It’s essential to remind each other that none of us is facing this alone.

If you’re wondering how else they might be used to keep up the fight, here are five suggestions for furthering our shared mission of defending democracy, in this moment and for future generations.

Contact Your Lawmakers!

Send a postcard to your members of Congress — or pick up the phone or write an email.

Common Cause has built a remarkable tool that lets you plug in your home address and receive a roster of contact information for the many politicians who represent you — from city council members to U.S. Senators.

To reach the Washington, D.C. office of any House or Senate member, call the congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121. You may also consider calling the politician’s state or district office.

E-mail from constituents can be effective, too. Democracy.io has a user-friendly tool to send a message to your respective Senators and Representatives.

Guarantee Your Vote

Vote.org offers a one-stop shop to double-check your registration status; if you’re not registered, you can sign up in minutes online. The group also offers a toolkit to begin a voter registration drive of your own. (A federal mail-in voter registration form is also available in many languages — you can find that here.)

The Fair Elections Center has compiled a helpful, state-by-state resource that will alert you to registration deadlines and help you find your polling location.

Get Active with Neighbors

No group has channelled the energies of the anti-Trump coalition more effectively than Indivisible. The group focuses on empowering local activists to come together in periodic, nationwide mobilizations that stretch from big, blue cities to rural red-state towns.

If you’re more comfortable organizing on a Reddit forum or a Discord server than a living room potluck, consider the newest player on the activist block: 50501.org. If you’re just looking to make a difference on your own, Mobilize.us offers an array of local volunteer opportunities, petitions, and events.

Back Pro-Democracy Organizations

In the fight against authoritarian overreach, the United States is lucky to have a robust civil society with institutional know-how. Connect with groups engaged in the good fight on behalf of civil liberties, racial justice, immigrant rights, veterans’ issues, and more.

Check out: American Civil Liberties Union, American Immigration Council, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Brennan Center, Color of Change, Common Cause, Native American Rights Fund, Public Citizen, VoteVets.

Support Nonprofit Media

In an age of right-wing billionaire takeovers of once-great newspapers, broadcast networks, and social media platforms, supporting independent media outlets has never been more critical. Beyond those you’ll find on Substack, some of our other favorites include ProPublica, Mother Jones, and local outlets such as the Minnesota Reformer, the Tennessee Holler, and the Mississippi Free Press.

As you likely know, the publication you’re reading is also unique: The Contrarian is not owned by anybody and helps fund pro-democracy litigation. If you’re not yet subscribed, get involved by doing so here!

Already a tried-and-true, subscribed Contrarian? Give a subscription to a friend or fellow activist here.

Thanks again for your support — you are the reason we can devote ourselves to robust journalism and fighting back against corruption. We’re so grateful for your support.

Collectively, let’s keep up the good fight! Enjoy your art.

In solidarity,

The Contrarians