Millions of people marching in the streets across the United States and 10,000 – 20,000 marching here in Spokane. The marchers are asking a fundamental question: How do we preserve democracy when so many of our neighbors seem willing to trade it for the promise of security?
It appears that there is a great deal of fear dividing our country in two. Why these fears, what needs to be done, and how can we do it? What do our readers think? What does our community think? What do others think?
This is a three part series. The first part describes the fears and what needs to be done to address them. The second part addresses why Black people should resist the loss of democracy, the third part deals with what needs to be done. Later articles can follow the progress of the Spokane fight for democracy.
The articles discuss various evidence-based approaches to enhance democratic resilience and social cohesion at government, institutional, and individual levels. They highlight the importance of economic interventions, leadership strategies, educational reforms, media responsibility, and personal engagement. The text outlines measures for specific demographic concerns while emphasizing the need for systemic changes and the importance of measuring success. Key factors for success include authenticity, inclusivity, patience, consistency, local focus, and bipartisan support.
Feedback from social media posts and interactions can be used to invite them to remove the fear, save democracy and participate in building a better community they want to live in.
Read the first article in the Fighting Fear series:
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We Remember Our Oath Not to a Person But to The Constitution
Black History in the United States began when the first African indentured servants and enslaved people were brought west in the early seventeenth century. They were forced to do back-breaking labor on plantations and separated from their homes and families. Despite their unjust inferior status, they fought against Great Britain in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and against the Confederate South in the Civil War. During the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation freed all those enslaved in Confederate states and territories. Then at the end of the war, the 13th Amendment was ratified, freeing all enslaved individuals within the United States. Though they had freedom on paper, Black Americans faced significant discrimination in the workplace, the education system, and the political and social spheres. In the South, they suffered under the discriminatory Jim Crow laws that kept them segregated in all public places. In the mid-1950s, the civil rights movement began in earnest and Blacks protested across the United States until the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964. Though this improved their position in American society, Black Americans still face prejudice and discrimination today.Continue Reading ›
Source Information
Fold3, Black History (https://www.fold3.com/collection/african-american : accessed Nov 9, 2025), database and images, https://www.fold3.com/collection/african-americanTotal Publications35Total Records805,317
We are living in dark times. Armed conflicts, discrimination, hate crimes, political extremism, and the widening gap between the rich and poor are creating anger and unrest. Democracy is under attack in many countries, and the COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense suffering. On top of it all, the climate crisis threatens all life on Earth, with its devastating effects already being felt: melting ice, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and increasingly destructive fires – even in the Arctic.
You may wonder: How can we still talk about hope?
It’s true that some days feel hopeless, and the challenges we face – greed, corruption, hatred, and prejudice – seem insurmountable. But in these moments, we are reminded of the extraordinary courage and determination of people fighting for justice, equality, and the environment. Even when they lose their lives, their voices resonate, inspiring us to believe in the ultimate goodness of humanity.
As Doug Abrams writes in The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams, many people – especially the young – feel angry, despairing, or apathetic because we’ve compromised their future by relentlessly exploiting our planet’s finite resources. Yet, it is not too late.There is still a window of time to heal the harm we’ve done, but that window is closing. We must act NOW.
True hope is not passive wishful thinking. Real hope requires action and engagement. Even the smallest ethical actions matter because their cumulative effect can create meaningful change. Why would we act if we didn’t believe it could make a difference?
This is why we sing, why we take action, and why we invite you to join us in choosing hope – for the planet, for our children, and for future generations. Together, we can still make a difference.
Grannies invite you to:
At events, start conversations with people outside your demographic—such as someone who is a person of color, disabled, or gay. Listen more than you talk and aim to make genuine connections. Invite them to your home to build friendships.
Sing. Music is magic. It touches a part of our brain and soul that is very basic and gentle. We hear the “beat” in the womb and it continues throughout our lives.
Donate to food programs like 2nd Harvest & El Mercadito to support families depending on SNAP and immigrant families coping with hardships due to targeting by ICE and loss of resources. For El Mercadito bring nonperishable foods and personal hygiene items to Latinos en Spokane at 1502 N. Monroe (M-F: 11am-3pm).
When you feel outraged, devastated, passionate, thankful, testify in a letter to the editor.
Support your neighbors in need, regardless of politics.
Act it out. Street theater at events, in malls, and politicians offices can be effective action. Join the Funeral for Democracy events!
Cultivate the habit of showing up. Show up for others, for calls for community action, for opportunities to learn and grow. Showing up becomes a way of life that leads to a meaningful life full of meaningful relationships and purpose and FUN!
October 18th millions marched. They said NO TRUMP! In order to stop tyranny now what do you want to do?
When the choice is tyranny or revolution, to keep your head in the sand is to choose tyranny. If you choose revolution the question is nonviolent or violent.
The Scenario
A presidential candidate has won the election and gained control over all branches of government.
The new administration refuses to follow court rulings and historical norms.
Democratic processes and checks and balances have broken down.
The leadership style is modeled after authoritarian regimes like Russia, North Korea, and China.
This situation represents a significant threat to democratic institutions and the rule of law, which are fundamental to a functioning democracy.
Can We Trust This Man?
Options for Grassroots Movements
In such a scenario, grassroots movements and civil society organizations face a critical decision: whether to accept the new regime or to resist. Based on historical examples and research on civil resistance, there are several potential courses of action:
Nonviolent revolutions have endured longer
Nonviolent Revolution
Historically, nonviolent revolutions have been more successful and led to more stable democratic outcomes than violent uprisings. Research by Erica Chenoweth and Maria J. Stephan has shown that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to succeed as violent ones.
Strategies for nonviolent revolution could include:
a) Mass Mobilization: Organizing large-scale protests, strikes, and boycotts to demonstrate widespread opposition to the regime. This was effectively used in the Philippines People Power Revolution (1986) and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s).
b) Civil Disobedience: Engaging in coordinated acts of nonviolent resistance, such as sit-ins, blockades, or refusal to pay taxes. The Indian Independence Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi successfully employed these tactics.
c) Alternative Institutions: Creating parallel governance structures or “shadow governments” to challenge the legitimacy of the regime and provide essential services to the population.
d) International Solidarity: Appealing to international organizations and foreign governments for support and sanctions against the regime. This strategy was crucial in the South African Anti-Apartheid Movement.
Civic Engagement and Grassroots Organizing
Even in challenging political environments, there are legal and peaceful methods to resist authoritarianism:
a) Stakeholder Engagement: Identifying and mobilizing key stakeholders who can influence the political process.
b) Effective Communication: Using clear, consistent messaging to articulate grievances and demands.
c) Technology and Social Media: Leveraging digital platforms for organizing, information sharing, and mobilizing support.
d) Educational Interventions: Implementing programs to promote civic engagement and democratic values.
e) Building Trust and Relationships: Establishing networks of trust within communities to strengthen resistance efforts.
Seeking International Support
Grassroots movements can appeal to international democratic support systems and diplomatic channels:
a) International Organizations: Engaging with bodies like the UN, OSCE, and International IDEA to highlight democratic backsliding and seek support.
b) Foreign Diplomatic Pressure: Encouraging democratic nations to exert diplomatic pressure on the regime, similar to Sweden’s “Drive for Democracy” initiative.
c) NGO Partnerships: Collaborating with international NGOs like Freedom House to document and publicize human rights violations and democratic erosion.
Violent Revolution as a Last Resort
While violent revolution might seem like an option, it’s important to note that:
Violent uprisings are statistically less likely to succeed than nonviolent movements.
They often lead to prolonged conflict and instability.
Violent revolutions can delegitimize the movement in the eyes of both domestic and international observers.
They may provide justification for increased repression by the regime.
Conclusion
In the face of democratic breakdown and the rise of authoritarianism, grassroots movements have historically been most successful when employing nonviolent strategies. These strategies, combined with effective civic engagement and international support, offer the best chance for restoring democratic norms and institutions.
The choice between accepting tyranny and forming a revolution is a complex one, with significant consequences. However, the historical record suggests that nonviolent revolutions, when well-organized and widely supported, can be effective in challenging even the most entrenched authoritarian regimes.
It’s crucial for grassroots movements to carefully consider their options, build broad coalitions, and maintain a commitment to nonviolent tactics to maximize their chances of success and minimize the risk of further destabilization or violence.
When tyranny and revolution appear to be the choices, which do you think we ought to choose? The choice should be made with deep thought. If you keep your head in the sand and refuse to recognize the current conditions, you have chosen tyranny. But if you choose revolution the question is nonviolent or violent.
If you want suggestions on what we must do in addition to protesting in the streets, subscribe to 4comculture.com. Go to the top of the sidebar and send us your email address.
Here’s a Burma-Shave-style series of signs with a **social justice theme**, ending with the message “No Kings.” Each line would appear on a separate sign, spaced out along a road:
Equal rights For every voice Justice fair Should be the choice No Kings
They hold the crown You hold the load Stand together Change the road No Kings
The power’s yours It’s in your hands Build a world That truly stands No Kings
Truth and love Will light the way No one rules We all have say No Kings
Each set of signs uses the rhythmic, rhyming style of the original Burma-Shave ads while conveying social justice themes like equality, collective power, and rejecting authoritarianism or hierarchical rule. The final line, “No Kings” delivers a punchy, memorable conclusion in the same way Burma-Shave signs ended with their product name.
Maybe you would like to add these to your protest signs.
Write your own rhyming verses and share them with us in a comment below.
What is Linguistic Imperialism? Linguistic imperialism refers to the dominance of one language over others, typically through the spread and establishment of the dominant language by colonial, economic, or cultural means. It often results in the marginalization of local languages and cultures.
Why and who benefits?
“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them” – Einstein
“No freedom before you first get free from the mental categories of those who would hold you in bondage.” – Ogunnaike
Create it in your mind. Create it in your words. Create It in your actions. – Unknown.
If you would like to have a discussion with Charles he can be contacted at performance2080@gmail.com
This article is inspired by an audit of Dr. King’s unfinished business and a speech given by Michael McPhearson at All Saint’s Lutheran Church in Spokane Washington. The occasion was the commemoration of the the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
