Rooted in Community: Invest more resources into grassroots organizations for political action

“Trump wins the Iowa caucus.”

“Gaza death toll tops 26,000 without a ceasefire.”

Flipping between TV channels, I’m bombarded with political news everywhere I look. From overwhelming support for Trump despite inciting an insurrection to Biden’s inaction amid a genocide in Palestine, I’m left feeling hopeless for the state of our country. 

News like this doesn’t inspire me to get out and vote in my first presidential election this November. It just shows me how unfit both candidates are to serve as president, despite them being the only realistic options.

It’s easy to get discouraged seeking political change for yourself and the communities you care about through elections. But instead of seeking action through elections, it’s far more fulfilling and fruitful to focus our efforts on advocating for change at the grassroots level. 

Grassroots organizing is community advocacy led by non-elected individuals. It’s one of America’s oldest political practices, and at the core of our country from the temperance movement to the founding of the U.S. 

There is a stark difference from our normal top-down view of government where elected officials hold the power. In grassroots organizations, the people hold the power — not the politicians.

Our area has many of these organizations for students and residents to partake in. 

KC Tenants organizes citizens throughout the KC metro area to rally for safe and affordable housing. On Jan. 26, they packed the city council chambers and influenced the 10-3 passing of a ban on source of income discrimination. Similarly, Decarcerate KC is a local prison and policing reform organization that’s currently attending city-planned community engagement meetings to advocate against building a new city jail. These organizations, and so many others, operate because of the continued support and passion from their communities. 

Advocating for policy change is much easier in a community.

This way, change feels more achievable. Protest and petition are much more powerful than voting and hoping your candidate is less incompetent than the other. For example, in the upcoming election, it’s far more effective to gather a group of community members to petition your local representatives instead of casting a vote for president.

It’s almost impossible not to feel hopeless as a young person in the U.S. right now. I honestly can’t decide which would be worse for our country — a genocide-complacent, senile 81-year-old man or a self-important, idiotic, bigoted criminal. But with the way our government is set up, it seems like voting for one of these two candidates is the only way to push the agendas and beliefs you support. This is where grassroots organizing becomes an attractive alternative.

More often than not, voters are left to choose between the lesser of two evils — a disheartening system. While moderates may vote for Trump because of his economic plan, they may have to compromise their morals by supporting someone who goes against their beliefs in other aspects like LGBTQ+ rights or abortion access. It feels like there’s no way to cast your vote without making sacrifices in one area or another. That isn’t fair, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Since well before the issue of Trump vs. Biden, our elected officials have rarely ever served their constituents who need it the most — marginalized communities. For example, poor communities simply don’t have the same resources that multi-million-dollar political action committees do, and therefore don’t have as much sway over high-up politicians.

It’s not true that you have to have these resources to make a change. Instead of asking corrupt millionaire politicians for scraps, organize your community. Make your voice heard by petitioning your legislators. Where grassroots organizations may lack funding or resources, a passionate community backing their cause makes up for it.

In fact, movements as big as prohibition in the 1920s and the civil rights laws of the 1960s were both direct results of grassroots community action directly influencing policy. Whether you agree or disagree with individual issues, it’s inspiring to know how much power communities of everyday people have.

All it took was a passionate group of common U.S. citizens and a cause. In the face of bureaucracy and corrupt politics, these examples are a reminder of hope — hope that we still have a voice in the government that was built to represent us.

Time and time again, the people have proven that grassroots organizing works. 

Even though politics, governments and elections may seem hopeless at times, it’s important to remember that you can make your voice heard. Not through elections directly, but through protests and rallies. Through contacting legislators and educating yourself and your community. 

Personally, getting involved at the education level — and planning to attend upcoming protests and political community meetings — has eased my discontent towards the U.S. political system. Sure, politicians may be generally out of touch with the people, and our political system may feel rigged against the people, but getting involved at the grassroots level to voice your concerns is a way to remedy that.

So next time you find yourself with election-year blues, reach out to a local grassroots advocacy organization and ask how you can help. Or, if you have a cause you’re passionate about, create your own organization. Plan rallies. Sit in city council sessions. Organize your community. Make your voice heard through grassroots community organizing.