Imperfect Activism: “But what can I actually do?”
“I want to DO something…
…but what can I actually do?”
There’s a lot of anger, fear, grief, and powerlessness in the water right now. We tell ourselves, If I were a good person, I’d be doing more. We numb out. The needs of our communities feel enormous, but our reach feels so small. I feel it, too.
I want to share something with you that I share with a lot of people (especially driven, overachiever types). This idea applies to far more than activism, but it’s relevant here and now, and I invite you to read it twice:
Your responsibility is defined by what you’re willing and able to offer—based on your values, goals, and resources—and not by the size of the need.
The need will always be bigger than any one person. Measuring our efforts against it is a recipe for chronic guilt, and guilt burns fast and empties us out. The world does need you, but it needs you to last.
Below is a list of very real, very actionable answers to the question, “But what can I actually do?” I’ve organized the items by capacity. The list is imperfect, nonexhaustive, and skewed toward current ICE and immigration concerns, but many of them are evergreen.
You won’t be able to do everything listed here; to recap from a few weeks ago, the far more effective option is to choose one or two things to care about and pour your efforts sustainably into them over time. As you read through the list, don’t ask: “What should I be doing?” Rather, ask: “What can I genuinely and consistently offer?”
A counter-demonstration in my hometown last summer after self-proclaimed neo-Nazis started showing up. Protests are one form of action, but not the only one.
If you have more money than time—
Support civil rights organizations doing court challenges and policy work—especially state or local chapters where impact is concentrated. The ACLU is a great choice, and you can donate directly to Minnesota if you, like me, are feeling extra patriotic thanks to all those Minneapolitans exercising their constitutional rights
Pay for journalism. Subscriptions or donations to local news and trusted, independent outlets (NPR and ProPublica are favorites) help keep information accurate and accessible, and cost less than a lot of streaming services
Make direct donations to mutual aid or legal defense funds supporting people impacted by immigration enforcement. The National Bail Fund Network is one good option, or you might search for crowdfunding opportunities for the families directly impacted by ICE
Donate to local or strategic election efforts. If your vote is relatively secure where you live, your dollars can travel to where elections are tighter.
Provide material support to sustained protest or mutual aid efforts (things like water, masks, hygiene supplies, warm clothing). Check with organizers first so donations are actually useful.
Set up a small, recurring donation to important causes that have had funding cut or threatened, such as National Forests and The Trevor Project.
If you have more time than money—
Participate in protests and ICE rapid response efforts, if that feels aligned and accessible. As made evident by recent events, protesting and engaging directly with ICE can be dangerous, but it’s also extremely effective and important. If this is right for you, please read through this incredibly thorough and helpful resource developed by creator and activist Jacob Cochrane.
Call your representatives. 5 Calls is an app and website that gives you current issues, simple scripts, and the right numbers to call based on your zip code. Calls don’t have to be long or perfect: the staff track volume and intent of calls, not how good you are on the phone.
Plug into local meetings, volunteer efforts, and demonstrations. Mobilize.us is a good place to start.
Volunteer to become a poll-worker and engage with get-out-the-vote efforts: door knocking, phone banking, text banking, and preparing or distributing signs, literature, and mailers.
Support court-watch or accompaniment programs so people don’t have to face systems alone. Search for ‘court watch’ or ‘accompaniment program’ in your city or state.
Offer practical support to protestors and those impacted by ICE: rides, childcare, meals, translation, data entry, design, tech help.
If you have don’t have much of either right now—
Amplify the voices of others. If you use social media, follow people directly impacted. Share calls to action from organizers. Email one article to one person who will actually read it. Forward resources (like this email) to other people who are feeling helpless but ready to help.
Put a sign in your window or yard. Display solidarity with those under-represented in your community.
Participate in boycotts or strikes at the level that you can. A list of companies who partner with ICE is only a few clicks away, and general strikes can be extremely effective. If a strike is happening but you can’t disengage from your job, you can still participate by spreading awareness and refraining from making any purchases that day.
Build community. Check on neighbors. Know who’s on your city council local school boards. Refuse and correct disrespectful or dehumanizing language and jokes in everyday conversations.
The goal isn’t to do everything; it’s to do one or two things that you can keep up over time. Next week, we’ll talk about self-care and supporting yourself as a sustainable resource.
Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. And thank you for being exactly who you are.
© 2025–2026 Summer Hopkins Myers | Already Good
This work is original and protected. Sharing links is welcome; unattributed reproduction and LLM training is not.
