An Open Letter to the Members of TakeAction Minnesota

TakeAction Minnesota is a people’s organization.  We are white, black, Latinx, Somali and Hmong. We are women and men and people who identify as neither. We are people without documents and people whose ancestors were placed on this land when it was created. We live in cities, on farms, and in the suburbs. Some of us have a criminal record and others have never been caught. We are union members and small business owners. Many of us are people of faith and many of us are agnostic or atheist. But we are all believers. We believe that no matter how different we are, we are all connected to each other, our fates are tied together.  We see and experience the inequity in our world, and we deeply believe that together we can change it.      

It is because of who we are and what we believe that we feel such a profound sense of fear right now.  Donald Trump won the presidency by fanning the flames of racism, xenophobia and misogyny. He brought out the worst in many of us and he won. He plans to use the power of our government against Muslims and immigrants. His pattern of behavior towards women is disgusting and something that I never want my daughter or sons exposed to. His aggressive, intimidating and disrespectful tone is a new low in American politics. His disregard for facts is irresponsible. His boastful bravado is dangerous in a world leader.  Donald Trump’s election reveals the ugly underbelly that many of us have tried to ignore and that people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants and women have experienced first-hand forever.       

I am sad and I am angry.  I fear what Donald Trump will do and what acts he will inspire and permit.  For my family, my loved ones, my community – for all of us – this is a dark day and these are uncharted waters. We do not have a plan to lay before you or slogan to inspire you. What we do have is what we know to be true and that is what I would like to share with you. 

Ten years ago, the founders of TakeAction Minnesota knew something had to change.  At the time, we were constantly on our heels, trying to fend off one right-wing attack after another.  We knew that we had to go on the offense and we realized then that winning the next election or passing another bill wasn’t good enough.  We had to change who decides, and who benefits from those decisions.  We had to make more possible.  That’s why TakeAction Minnesota was created.

Ten years later, our mission is the same but our work has evolved. Today, we are a place where alike minds, loving hearts and unusual allies find each other.  We take the long-view, looking out multiple years and ask how our work can boldly and dramatically change the power equation in our state. We know that three principle barriers stand in the way of real democracy and true equity: structural racism, gender oppression, and unfettered corporate power. We confront and work to tear down those barriers at every turn. We are deeply committed to building a stronger movement, to sharing resources and learning from others. We are as likely to protest in the streets as we are to testify at the Capitol. We will knock on your door, send you an email or find you at a community meeting.  We have a vision for the Minnesota we want to create, not just what we are against.  We are clear-eyed about the challenges in front of us and optimistic that positive change is possible. And always, not matter who is president, we are fighters. 

 In this moment we know that we need to do three things. 

 We will tell our story.  Through our words, our art, and our actions we will tell the truth. We will expose what lies behind Donald Trump’s terrible words. We will also paint an alternative vision of the world that we want, one where the inherent worth and dignity of everyone is recognized without exception. Where each and every person is able to live a joy filled life that is fulfilling, stable and happy. Where our government is for us and by us and where everyone experiences the freedom to be their full self every day.     

 We will organize. Donald Trump tells us that we are just too different from each other to every cooperate. He’s wrong. We will continue to build the statewide multi-racial, politically independent movement that will transform our state. We will continue to work in deep coalition with other groups and we will help our allies grow stronger.  We are done with consumer politics where people vote and then complain.If you are one of the millions of people who woke up after election day and realized this is all terribly wrong then join us – our door is open. 

We will resist.  The threat to tear apart our communities, to deport our families, to single out people based on religion or race is unamerican and amoral and we will not let it happen. With love in our hearts and with the courage of our convictions we will resist. We will continue to fight for solutions to the real challenges we face. Whether that is the earned sick and safe time ordinance Duluth is considering right now, or the important decisions that shape our health care, climate and criminal justice system, we will be there. 

 Now is the time to speak up and to stand up.  Now is the time to resist and to love.  When we do, we – all of us – become a beacon of light in a very dark night for the rest of America to see.  That is what we need from each other and that is what others need from us.

In solidarity,
Dan McGrath and the rest of the TakeAction team