Social Power
Social power is our collective ability to influence social perceptions, behaviors, and actions. Creating content, building platforms, protesting, mobilizing your communtiy, amplifying voices, and coming together to build community are ways to exercise our social power.
Deep Dive Into Social Power
Using Social Power as a vehicle for change involves taking actionable steps to address societal issues. This may include organizing a call to protest income inequality at your local city hall and rallying your closest friends and family to join a beach cleanup you or others have coordinated.
Social Capital encompasses the entirety of your influence, containing both your online and in-person presence. It encompasses various spheres such as family, friends, neighbors, professional and community networks, and your online engagement and following.
Building social power strategically involves refining and strengthening connections and networks, engaging with others, offering support, seeking collaborations, and showing genuine interest in others' well-being and success. These actions create a positive and supportive environment for all involved.
Ways to cultivate our collective social power
Reflect on your identity and values. Determine what issues resonate with you and consider your communication strengths. Focus on supporting rather than overshadowing the voices within the movement.
Create or join a group within your community that aligns with your interests. Encourage community participation to foster a collective sense of purpose and action.
Deepen your understanding of the causes you're passionate about. Seek credible information, engage in thoughtful discussions, and grasp the full complexity of the issues.
Utilize digital platforms to amplify your message and engage a broader audience. Create content that educates, inspires, and mobilizes people. Leverage social media, blogs, podcasts, and videos to share stories, successes, and calls to action related to your cause.
Engage locally by attending events and talking with community members. Learn about ongoing efforts and identify areas where support is needed.
Foster strategic partnerships and collaborations with other organizations and activists. Identify allies who share your vision and can bring additional resources, expertise, or influence to your cause. Collaborate on projects to maximize impact and achieve common goals.
Current Social Issues
Abortion Rights
You should have the right to control your own body. And yet, on June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade — the case that had recognized the federal constitutional right to abortion in 1973. The Supreme Court’s new ruling means that we have lost federal constitutional protection for abortion.
This devastating decision turned back the clock on reproductive rights for 50 years. It gives politicians the authority to make decisions for you. And it lets them control what your future will look like. Now, abortion bans will spread across much of the country.
Gun Control
“Gun control” refers to any legal measure intended to prevent or restrict the possession or use of guns, particularly firearms. (In a broader historical sense, the term also refers to legal limits on the possession or use of other arms, including those that predate the invention of gunpowder.) In most developed countries, gun control is strict and uncontroversial. In others it is a fraught political issue, pitting those who regard it as necessary for public safety against those who view it as a dangerous infringement of personal liberty.*Britannica
Climate Change
The Earth's climate is changing. Temperatures are rising, snow and rainfall patterns are shifting, and more extreme climate events – like heavy rainstorms and record high temperatures – are already happening. Many of these observed changes are linked to the rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, caused by human activities. *US EPA
Immigration Reform
\Immigration reform in the United States remains a deeply contentious issue centered around the laws and regulations that govern who can enter the country, who can stay, and how those individuals can become citizens. The debate encompasses a wide range of topics, including the status of undocumented immigrants, border security, and pathways to citizenship. In recent years, there have been calls for comprehensive reform to address the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S. Proponents argue that a fair and humane immigration system is essential for the country's economic and social well-being. At the same time, opponents often cite concerns about national security and job competition. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects eligible young undocumented immigrants from deportation, is a key focal point in the immigration debate.
Police Reform and Racial Justice
Police reform and racial justice have been at the forefront of social issues in the United States, particularly following high-profile cases of police brutality and the resulting protests. The movement calls for changes to law enforcement practices to address systemic racism and reduce the use of excessive force. Key demands include the implementation of community policing, increased accountability through body cameras and independent investigations, and reallocating funds from police departments to community services. The Black Lives Matter movement has been instrumental in bringing attention to these issues, advocating for policies that ensure the fair treatment of all citizens and the protection of Black lives. Critics of specific reforms argue that reducing police funding could compromise public safety, highlighting this debate's complexity and deep divisions.
Healthcare Access and Affordability
Healthcare access and affordability continue to be significant concerns in the United States. Despite implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, millions of Americans still lack health insurance, and many struggle with high medical costs. The debate over healthcare reform is polarized, with proposals ranging from expanding the ACA to implementing a single-payer system, such as Medicare for All, which aims to provide universal coverage. Advocates for expanded healthcare access argue that healthcare is a fundamental human right and that a comprehensive system would lead to better health outcomes and economic stability. Opponents often cite concerns about the cost of such programs and potential negative impacts on the quality of care. The ongoing debate highlights the need for solutions that balance affordability, accessibility, and quality in the U.S. healthcare system.
Nonprofits and Community Organizations
YMCA
We are an organization like no other. The YMCA is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the community by empowering young people, improving the health and well-being of people of all ages, and inspiring action in and across communities.
Feeding America
Feeding America is the largest hunger relief organization in the United States.
They aim to advance change in America by ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for all in partnership with food banks, policymakers, supporters, and the communities we serve.
United Way
United Way seeks to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good.