Our Time Is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America

by Stacey Abrams

believe the most important job of a citizen advocate is to first educate leaders about what you want and why you want it. So often, we assume that the issue that is top of mind to us is known to our leaders. It’s not. Therefore, you can be the one to introduce the problem, tell them why it’s a problem, and then share your ideas about how to solve it. Understand, however, that once they know the problem, the solution may differ from yours—and that is not always a bad thing. The second job is to activate others to help you press leaders to adopt rules to make it happen. While it can sound daunting, all this really means is finding friends and allies who share your concerns and are willing to help to gather even more allies. One note of caution is the tendency to want people on your side to share both your passion and your solution. Sometimes, you get one or the other, but do not push away potential support. Figure out how to work together toward the common goal and go as far as you can together. And, when education and activation have taken your issue as far as it can, the final step is to agitate the powers that be. Bring pressure to bear until doing what you want is easier than resisting or opposing you. Use social media, traditional outreach, and good old-fashioned protests to raise awareness and push for action. Groups like Indivisible will provide training, resources, and support for electoral advocacy, and organizations like Planned Parenthood Action Fund, National Abo...