Like many, I have felt an overwhelming sense of fear, anger, and dread this past month. As the new president took office and hastily repealed protections for people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, women, and the poor, I wondered what I could do to fight this. After all, I’m just one person. The good news is, it’s not just me or just you. Together, we have much more power than we are led to believe and we CAN do things that help build a better world for our children.
We often picture the revolution as people on the front lines of protests and violent collisions with police. Although that work is undoubtedly valuable, there is so much more to it than just that. Getting involved is easy, and you may already be doing it without knowing! There are so many simple and easy ways that we can contribute to the cause, and in the process, teach our children the power of empathy, community, and standing up for what you believe in.
What is Mutual Aid?
Mutual aid is a voluntary exchange of resources and services between community members to help those in need. It’s a way to build relationships and support each other during difficult times – a wonderful way to build a better world.
What does mutual aid involve?
Sharing resources
Mutual aid can involve sharing physical resources like food or clothing. It can also involve sharing services like libraries, medical care, or transportation. It’s not charity, it’s a system that helps everyone get what they need.
Building relationships
Mutual aid can help people build new connections with their community.
Meeting needs
Mutual aid can help people meet their needs, such as during economic crises, pandemics, and natural disasters.
Political participation
Mutual aid groups can be a form of political participation, where people work together to change political conditions.
Participating in mutual aid networks is one of the best ways that we can combat injustice in our immediate communities. During the 1960s and ‘70s, the U.S. government felt threatened by the Black Panther Party; not because they carried guns, but because they established mutual aid networks that were able to provide for their communities better than the government could. As much as those in power may try to divide us, we must remember that we are all in this together. So, where do we start to build better world together?
Did You Know…
The Black Panther Party’s Free Breakfast for Children Program in the 1960s and 1970s helped bring national attention to the need for school meals for poor children. This attention led to increased federal funding for school lunch programs.
Shop Local
Your dollar is one of the most powerful tools you have- so, use it wisely. Luckily for you, we live in one of the best places for local shopping and dining. Rather than pouring your money into Amazon and other big box stores where it is ultimately benefiting a billionaire, support a local business. I know, it’s hard to tear yourself away from the ease of ordering something and having it on your doorstep the next day.
But, have you ever actually stopped to think about how that new T-shirt got there so fast? The answer isn’t so pretty; inadequate pay and unhealthy workplace conditions for employees, and significant carbon emissions. When you factor in these hidden costs, it’s worth it to go to a real store. Local businesses tend to have better quality goods and when you buy local, you employ your neighbors and contribute to the local tax base that supports our community.
Favorite Charlottesville Shops for Reducing & Reusing
So head to the farmers market! You and the kids will be pleasantly surprised with how much better the food tastes when you know exactly where it came from. Check out our favorite family-friendly restaurants for dining out, and the Family Favorite Awards for the best local hot spots for groceries, coffee, clothing, fitness, home services and more. It’s also a good time to reflect on how much we are buying; there’s a good chance we don’t actually need as much new stuff all the time as we might think.
When you do need something new, shop second-hand! Some of our favorites are Here WEE Grow Again, Twice Is Nice, Natalie Dressed, High Tor Gear Exchange, Play-It-Again Sports, Refill Renew, The Scrappy Elephant, and The Habitat Store. Buying second-hand (and donating used items instead of throwing out) is a great way to protect the planet and give old items a new life. This is an easy way for children to help build a better world.
Community Closets:
Belmont Baptist Church
815 Bolling Ave
Hinton Avenue United Methodist
750 Hinton Avenue
Church of The Brethren
1225 Rio Road E
Shelters:
The Haven
112 West Market Street
Shelter For Help In Emergency
1415 Sachem Pl
Chatrlottesville Community Pantries:
Georgia’s Friends
318 Dice St
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
2050 Lambs Rd
New Beginnings Christian Community Food Pantry
1130 E Market St
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
1207 Harris St
Little Free Pantry
Corner of Oak St and 1st St South
Before donating, always check online to see what items can and cannot be accepted and note when they are open.
Being a Good Neighbor = Building A Better World
Because American communities are often very spread out if you’re not living in the heart of a city, it’s easy to become disconnected. But, even if you live out in the suburbs or country, you still have community. It’s time to get to know your neighbors. Whether it’s the people on your street, the people you see on your way to work, or the people that frequent your local coffee shop, actually talk to each other! If there are other families in the neighborhood, organize play dates and childcare together, carpool, and share resources like hand-me-down clothes and toys.
Let yourself be a resource for parents in the community and vice versa; if you get stuck at work it’s helpful to have a network of people you can contact if the kids need to be picked up from school. Strike up a conversation with the homeless person that you see on your way to work everyday and share any resources you can. Ask about your favorite barista’s day and compliment that person’s outfit that you like. Kindness helps the world go round and doing your part is really as simple as giving a smile to someone on the street.
Identifying ICE
As ICE raids become more and more frequent, it is essential that you know what to do to protect yourself and your neighbors. Know what an ICE vehicle looks like and when you see one, alert the people around you. Shouting “la migra” will alert Spanish speakers, as will sharing to any social networks, texting your friends, and documenting on this map. Film any interactions with ICE as this could be essential evidence, make sure you and your friends know your rights, carry a red card, and remain silent until speaking with a lawyer.
Join a Community Garden
Community gardens are a great way to connect with nature and your neighbors. You’ll get to meet the people who make up our wonderful community; neighbors participating in the garden or people running by, strolling with friends, or walking their dog in the area. Gardening teaches children about the environment and where food comes from, develops responsibility, and fosters the desire for healthy, fresh eating. It also helps them (and you!) build relationships with the community as you work with others to grow food together.
Seeds planted are seeds for change and a step towards building a better world. In addition to the plots made available by the City of Charlottesville, Cultivate Charlottesville is a local group that engages youth and community in building an equitable, sustainable food system through garden-based experiential learning, growing and sharing healthy food, amplifying community leaders, and advocating for food justice. Their Urban Agriculture Collective (UAC) builds food equity by working with public housing residents to grow fresh healthy food. At its height, UAC has grown as much as 17,000 pounds of produce per year, which is shared, at no cost, with hundreds of local families experiencing food insecurity.
Educate Yourself
The best way to prepare for the future is by learning from the past. Unfortunately, we often get an overly simplified and whitewashed version of events. To quote Winston Churchill, “history is written by the victors”. With the elimination of DEI, increasing attacks on Critical Race Theory, and a growing list of banned books, it is clear now more than ever that we have a responsibility to seek out information for ourselves. There are so many great books for educating ourselves and this is just a short list of titles that are a great place to start.
Non Fiction
A People’s History of the United States, Howard Zinn
Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer
Freedom is a Constant Struggle, Angela Davis
The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander
The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein.
White Rage, Carol Anderson
Fiction
Parable of the Sower, Octavia E. Butler
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
1984, George Orwell
There’s a good chance a few of these novels were assigned reading for you in school, but they’re worth a reread as an adult. And instead of running to amazon to purchase a book, visit one of Charlottesville’s incredible local bookstores! Some of our favorites are New Dominion Bookstore, Blue Whale Books, Daedalus Used Bookshop, and 2nd Act Books. If you have any used books that you want to get rid of, donate them through Friends of JMRL.
Read Banned Books
The list of challenged and banned children’s books crucial to share with kids is (unfortunately) ever-growing and changing, but these titles are a great place to start. The titles challenged or banned most frequently are those alleged to include sexual content, especially LGBTQ+ themes, and books by and about people of color. This is alarmingly problematic for today’s children, who desperately need these titles as both mirrors and windows. We also love this list for books that cultivate empathy through many different topics. The Jefferson Madison Regional Library System has many of these titles available, so let this serve as a reminder to get a library card if you don’t already! Supporting your local library is another super easy way that you can build a better world, not to mention all of the wonderful events and resources that JMRL provides.
Check In On Each Other to Build A Better World
It’s one of the simplest things, but it can make a big difference. Checking up on friends, family, and neighbors-especially anyone from a marginalized community who might be more directly impacted by new policies- is a simple way to support your community and model empathy for your children. Let the people around you know that you care about them and are there if they need anything. Sometimes, just knowing you have a person to lean on if you are struggling can make you feel a lot better. It really does take a village, so reach out to the people that make up yours. Building more and stronger connections with your community makes everyone feel a little better, especially during scary and uncertain times.
Question Your News Sources
In an age where we are bombarded with news from every direction, it can feel impossible to know who to listen to. Some key ways to combat misinformation and bias are:
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Check who owns the company.
- News organizations funded by an individual are going to reflect the views of that person and conflicting viewpoints may be censored. The Washington Post, for example, is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos who has the power to block whatever stories he wants to. That’s not to say that you can’t trust anything from The Washington Post, but maybe avoid it being your primary source for news.
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Look for sensationalized or biased language.
- Sources may present information in a way that tries to make it as shocking or exciting as possible. Look for language and phrasing that indicates a clear opinion rather than presenting purely facts. A recent example of biased language around current events can be seen in western coverage of the Palestinian genocide. Which leads us to our next tip…
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Consume news from a variety of sources, especially international ones.
- Any organization based in the United States is going to be inherently biased towards the U.S., so it’s always a good idea to supplement your news feed with international sources who can provide a different perspective. Cross checking your news with a variety of sources is the best way to filter out misinformation and bias.
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Use primary sources.
- Primary sources are the first-hand accounts. Listen to the people actually experiencing events and being directly impacted rather than relying on someone else to write a story about them. Look to the people living in Gaza sharing their stories and documenting the destruction of their homes. Listen to the accounts from trans people of how anti LGBTQ legislation has impacted their life, to people who have experienced crossing the southern border and ICE detention centers, to those who have been impacted by police violence. Listen to anyone who has a lived experience different from yours and learn from it.
So don’t just mindlessly consume information, always question it and consider potential biases. It’s good practice to cross check your news with multiple sources no matter where you get it from, but a few sources that are generally considered above the rest when it comes to providing highly factual and unbiased news are AP News and PBS.
Volunteer and Donate
Whether it’s time, money, or resources, we all have something to give. Prioritize small organizations in your immediate community and get the whole family involved in helping to build a better world. Charlottesville has so many great family-friendly volunteering opportunities, a great bonding activity and easy way to make a difference. Schools often have lots of opportunities for kids to get involved on their own with service clubs and organizations. Some of our favorite groups that can always use a helping hand or donations are Cultivate Charlottesville, International Rescue Committee, Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Stepping Stone, and Backpack Buddies. Another fun family activity is creating care kits for the homeless members of our community. You can assemble them together and help the kids create cheerful cards of encouragement for each kit. Then, keep them in your car to hand out whenever you see someone in need.
Learn (and Teach) to Mend Clothes
The hard work of play does a number on kids’ clothes. Fear not, we can fix that. A scraped knee might warrant a few tears, but the ripped pants don’t! Mending clothes is a super simple way to extend the life of clothing and mitigate our waste. Plus, everyone’s happier when we get to hang on to our favorite items for a little longer. You don’t have to be an expert seamstress, sometimes imperfect stitches are the best kind. Adding fun patches and colorful thread can give new life to worn clothing and make for a fun statement piece. It’s not just for the kids, either.
Once you get into the practice of mending your own clothes instead of throwing them out and buying new items every time you find a hole, you’ll be amazed at how much money you save. Mending can be a great bonding activity too. Sewing is an essential skill your kids will be grateful to have throughout their lives. Once your child is old enough to be trusted with a needle (usually around 6-7 years-old), introduce them to mending with a simple project. Fixing a button or stitching up a small hole are good starters. The two of you can work on the project together and create lasting memories while empowering your child with resourcefulness and creativity.
Visit Museums and Attend Community Events
Social change is impossible if we remain isolated and disconnected, so go outside, explore, meet new people, and engage with your community! Our city has so many incredible events for just having fun, learning something new, or both! The Jefferson School is home to a permanent historical exhibit, a rotating contemporary art gallery, and a robust calendar of events, all of which combine to highlight Charlottesville’s African American history and culture of the African diaspora. It’s a great place to take the family for an afternoon to explore, attend a community celebration, or listen to a guest speaker.
Beloved Community Cville hosts workshops on mobilizing for justice and organizes screenings for Elizabeth Shillue’s 2015 film: I’m Not Racist…Am I?. The Albemarle Historical Society and Monticello also offer walking tours focused on the Black history of Charlottesville. For younger kids or anyone who isn’t up for a long walk, explore the Getting Word African American Oral History Project; preserving the histories of Monticello’s enslaved families and their descendants through short audio stories.
While it’s not local history, the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia is a must-visit. The only museum in the United States dedicated to Indigenous Australian art, Kluge-Ruhe is truly one of a kind. In addition to housing one of the finest art collections of its kind, the Kluge-Ruhe website is full of incredible educational resources on Aboriginal art, history, and cultural appropriation.
How Do You Build A Better World?
It’s a frightening and overwhelming time for many people right now, but we can’t let that distract us from moving forward and fighting for change. While it may seem impossible at times, every little act makes a difference and adds up to create lasting change. So start small and go from there. As parents, we have the greatest power of all: raising kind and empathetic children.
I am by no means an expert on social justice, mutual aid, or building a resistance movement, so I take the lead from others with more experience and diverse perspectives. I look to community organizers and experienced activists and work to educate myself where I am ignorant. You don’t have to be an expert to participate or to make a difference, you just have to care. We can all be part of making the future a better world.
If you have any resources you think would be valuable to this story and our readers, please send them our way. We’d love to share them with the community!