Making a difference for social change and equality might seem daunting, but there are a few sound ways to rally the troops and inspire others to make a difference. Marsha Mockabee, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, shares a few ways to step up.
Vote in every election.
Sure, presidential elections are the big one, but there are other elections that take place locally and at the state level throughout the year. Stay informed, attend city council and county council meetings and plug in to the issues, including those affecting schools or the election of local judges. “The more involved you are in the structure of the government ... by casting your vote each and every time there’s an election, by getting involved with your local governments and all of those kinds of things, can make a difference,” says Mockabee.
Speak up against institutional inequity.
Recently, both Cleveland and Cuyahoga County declared racism as a public health crisis. But there’s still more work to do to fight against inequity. If there are issues within schools or the public forum that affect you and the lives of your loved ones, Mockabee encourages you to speak up. “Peaceful protest, writing letters to the editors at newspapers, speaking out in your churches, writing letters to your government official — all those kinds of things are ways to get your voice into the hearing of those powers,” she says.
Support civil rights organizations.
You should support both grassroots community and national organizations that make a difference in causes you care about. Financial support and membership, or lack thereof, is instrumental in whether or not social change happens because they’re doing the direct work. “This way, organizations like the NAACP, the Urban League, the National Action Network, who have traditionally been on the forefront of civil rights predating the rights movement of the ’60s, can continue to be voices at the table,” says Mockabee.
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Do Good Cleveland: 3 Ways To Do Good For Social Change
The president of Urban League Cleveland says to vote every time, speak up and support civil rights organizations.
