Uniting Against Inequality and Injustice to Work Toward Positive Change

Lee
Jul 29
6 min read

Updated: Oct 17

Protest sign that reads, "FIGHT TODAY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW" in hand written block letters

Donald Trump and his administration have consistently attacked the American people. Numerous policies have raised concerns about the target on the backs of the working class, seniors, veterans, the poor, and marginalized communities such as LGBTQIA+ individuals, and immigrants. Take a moment with me to discuss what's going on in our country and how it's affecting our communities and daily lives, and how we can work toward positive change.

Tariffs and Economic Strain

Tariffs implemented during the Trump administration have created barriers that adversely affect the working class.

For example, the 25% tariffs on steel and 10% on aluminum have raised prices for things like canned goods and cars.
A report by the Peterson Institute for International Economics suggests that these tariffs could cost Americans around $1,400 annually.
Instead of protecting or creating jobs, as promised, these tariffs have led to layoffs in industries that rely on imported materials, making it difficult for families to afford essential goods.

As members of the working class, we must fight for fair trade policies that truly benefit American workers. Supporting local businesses, strikes, and union movements creates a stronger economy where everyone thrives together.

Find information about The General Strike and your union chapter by clicking the embedded links.

The Elderly, Children, Veterans, and the Poor

Policies targeting healthcare significantly affect the elderly, children, veterans, disabled people, and low-income families. Cutting Medicaid will jeopardize the coverage of over 20 million Americans whose lives depend on it.

Furthermore, cuts to these programs specifically target working class households, especially affecting seniors who rely on programs like SNAP.

"Nearly 20% of children across the country are experiencing food insecurity and in some rural counties, child food insecurity rates are estimated to be as high as 50%, according to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study."

"Additional key takeaways from the report can be found on the Map the Meal Gap website along with an interactive map that details food insecurity by geography, income, race and ethnicity."

Our voices matter. By voting in midterm elections, engaging in local governance, showing up at protests, building up our communities, and reaching out to our representatives, we can push for reforms that support our most vulnerable people. Community support needs to be formed to alleviate immediate stresses and create a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

Photo of someone protester holding a sign, covering their face, sign says, "SILENCE ALLOWS VIOLENCE"

Inequality and Distrust

Inequality has expanded during the Trump era, with differences among Americans being used for political gain. Protections for LGBTQIA+ people, immigrants, and other marginalized groups have been rolled back, posing increasing dangers if we don't come together to protect our communities.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, hate groups grew by 55% between 2017 and 2019, showing a concerning trend rising.
This toxic atmosphere has increasingly gotten worse and more tense over the past few months. Hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ communities, Jewish, Muslim, Asian, and Hispanic communities are on the rise.

“We now have the data points to show what we are feeling on the ground. And let’s be clear, the feeling on the ground is there’s an attack on all things Black; there’s an attack on things immigrant, there’s an attack on things female, there is an attack on all things LGBTQIA+. There’s an attack on all that are not white. Male supremacy.”

- Gerald Griggs, president of the NAACP Atlanta Chapter

To combat this, it is essential to promote conversations based on understanding and empathy. Look up cultural events in your area, find ways to connect and listen to diverse groups of people, do research, just be there for those in need right now. We cannot allow this administration to turn us, our friends, our families, our community members into martyrs for their fucked-up regime.

The FDA, CDC and Its Impacts

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have loosened regulations under the guise of economic and personal freedom, often compromising public health.

For example, access to vaccinations has decreased in some areas due to reduced funding for health programs, potentially putting millions at risk. The decline in preventive health measures like cancer screenings could lead to increased diagnoses of advanced stages of disease, which are much harder to treat.

The FDA plays a critical role in keeping Americans safe. They make sure that not only the food we eat is safe, but also the food our pets eat, what we put onto our skin, into our bodies, our hair; they are meant to keep Americans safe from dangerous additives and chemicals. Job and budget cuts are costing Americans money and lives. '“We are underwater,” said one FDA device reviewer, speaking anonymously for fear of retaliation. “Innovation is slowed, and that means patients wait longer for life-saving treatments. This isn't theoretical — it’s happening now”' (Acsh.org).

We must fight for stronger health regulations that prioritize citizens' well-being over profits. Joining or forming grassroots community health initiatives can raise awareness and ensure everyone has access to essential healthcare services. Harass your representatives, speak up for our health and the future of our children.

Erosion of Rights

Increased law enforcement tactics and budgets have brought us much closer to a police state. Studies show that surveillance and police militarization of the correlate with a rise in civil rights abuses. Non-white people are three times more likely to be victims of police brutality than white "passing" people. The establishment of, and let's not mince words, concentration camps to detain immigrants is fucking disgusting. Kidnapping people off of the street, killing and beating BIPOC, forced slavery through prison labor, is immoral and wrong.

To counter this, we must demand accountability and transparency from law enforcement agencies and law makers. Demand an end to qualified immunity and hold police accountable. Demand that immigrants be released, demand due process. Demand justice for ALL. Supporting grassroots movements advocating for civil liberties reinforces the notion that equal rights are mandatory.

Genocide and Global Responsibility

Photo at a Free Palestine rally of a child holding a sign that has the Palestinian flag and a heart hand drawn. The sign reads, "SAVE THE CHILDREN. FREE PALESTINE"

The treatment of the Palestinian people by Netanyahu's regime raises many ethical questions about the Trump administration’s foreign policy. It is vital to understand that opposing certain policies does not equate to antisemitism but rather shows solidarity with oppressed Palestinians.

We cannot remain silent while a genocide is occurring, financed by our own tax dollars. We pride ourselves on our anti-fascist actions and the veterans who battled against Hitler, yet we fail to voice opposition to the genocide happening right before our eyes.

Awareness and education are our first steps in addressing global injustices. Show up at the Free Palestine rallies, donate if you can, share every picture and every video. By supporting global human rights organizations and engaging in advocacy, we can pressure our government towards protecting human life.

Focus on the Source

Many people misplace their frustrations, directing anger toward minority groups instead of addressing the systemic inequalities enforced by the corporate elite. This distracts from real issues and hinders collective action against exploitation.

To shift this narrative, we must have dialogues about wealth inequality and corporate power. Supporting policies that hold corporations accountable can lead to meaningful change in the lives of everyday Americans.

Coming Together for Change

So, I've listed just some of the hidden costs of the Trump administration and how they uncover real cracks and disconnections in our society. By shining a light on issues like economic strain, the neglect of those in need, and the erosion of our civil liberties, we can come together to crush the inequality and injustice in our country.

Now’s the perfect moment for our communities to join together! We all share a common goal: to be treated with dignity and respect. By standing up for change and holding our leaders accountable, we’re not just looking out for ourselves— we’re paving the way for a brighter future for generations to come. Together, we can build a fairer society where every voice matters and every life is cherished.

Of course, progress doesn't mean having immediate results, it just means we're moving in the right direction. So, stand up! Speak out! In the face of adversity, let's show them that we cannot be fucked with. Together, we can make sure that America is truly the land of the free, because we are brave.

All sources and more information are included in hyperlinks in post.