Small groups of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world

The most effective resistance to the Trump administration won’t be en masse, but underground—and it will start in small communities

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it's the only thing that ever has,” Margaret Mead

In the days after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook School in 2012, as Moms Demand Action began to take shape online, my first instinct was to channel the energy of women and mothers—anger, shock, outrage—into offline marches and rallies. We began planning events in major cities and suburban and rural communities in late January. Thanks to our ability to organize through Facebook coupled with the steely determination of type-A women, huge crowds showed up everywhere from Boston to the Brooklyn Bridge to Indianapolis to the White House to the Golden Gate Bridge and dozens of communities in between. Those events made national news, and images of women pouring into the streets to protest America’s lax gun laws were everywhere.

But then, we faced a crucial question: what came next? As someone who had no experience in organizing, gun violence prevention, or national politics, I honestly wasn’t sure. Marches and rallies had helped garner attention and demonstrate support for lawmaker action, but it was clear that on their own they wouldn’t force legislative change. In fact, just a few months later, federal, bipartisan legislation to require background checks on gun sales failed by a handful of votes in the Senate. That’s when Moms Demand Action pivoted from protests to organizing; we would work to create community by bringing women together where they lived, and the change we wanted—cultural, legislative, and electoral shifts—would be rooted in those local relationships. Much like the loyal followers cultivated by the National Rifle Association, we would organize our own army of supporters.

Moms Demand Action's success in organizing across the country—in small towns and large cities alike—made me come to view marches and rallies as somewhat performative; not harmful, but superfluous. Ultimately, they consume a huge amount of resources, including time and money, that could be better spent on lobbying, organizing, and even branding and bling. Which is why, after the Parkland mass school shooting tragedy, I was quick to say on social media that instead of public protests, we should focus our energy on statehouses.

But then, I got a phone call from George Clooney (!!!) suggesting I reconsider. He convinced me we needed a national moment to show Congress how outraged Americans were and that there would be consequences for their inaction. Several months, marches, and millions of dollars later, there was no legislative change. Yes, Florida ultimately passed several good gun laws, but that wasn’t because of the marches; it was because Moms Demand Action volunteers had shown up shoulder-to-shoulder with student survivors at the statehouse to pressure lawmakers in person. It was organizing, not public protesting, that ultimately forced lawmakers to act.

So maybe that’s why I’m not alarmed that post-election the public seems to be taking a beat. People aren’t in the streets (yet) and they seem wholly uninterested in attending another Women’s March. So what comes next? I believe the most effective resistance to the Trump administration won’t be en masse, but underground—and it will start in small communities.

A community is simply any social group whose members share something in common, from a government to a geographic location to their heritage or a hobby. Communities help us to find our purpose, to test and hone our values, and to be a part of something greater than ourselves. Being a part of a healthy community—even if it’s just a handful of people—can help us feel connected to others, as well as feel we're part of something larger than ourselves. This is especially important for people who've experienced trauma or loss, or who feel isolated, marginalized, bullied, or alone. And community can lead to change because it empowers individuals to take collective action, address local concerns and, ultimately, to advocate for change.

American journalist and historian Anne Applebaum says finding and forming communities post-election is crucial in avoiding the overwhelm and apathy that can result from an electoral defeat and even fascism. “Democracies were always meant to be political systems that involved ordinary people in all kinds of ways. One of the reasons our system has declined is because that has atrophied,” she says. “Involve yourself in a local discussion group. Join a political party. Run for local office. Try to be present in your community in some way. Do something that makes you active and engages you in the governance of your country.”

In Buddhism, these kinds of communities are called “sanghas.” A sangha isn’t just a place for people to interact; it’s an active process that encourages people with shared interests to actually engage with one another. It’s a forum for nurturing and developing relationships that, in turn, allow each individual to realize their own potential, values, and goals. I’ve seen firsthand through Moms Demand Action that communities are where the real change happens—in ourselves and in the world. Not only is Moms Demand Action one of the largest grassroots organizations in the nation, but it’s also the largest real-life laboratory for helping women find their people and, in turn, their power.

So this holiday weekend, take some time to consider how you can take some of the steps below to join or create community/communities that will help you ground yourself and others in the coming year:

Self-reflection: Understand and prioritize your interests, passions, and values to guide your search for a compatible community. Make a list of what you're good at, what’s important to you, and what you want your legacy to be—somewhere in there lies the key to the community that’s right for you.

Local exploration: Check for local clubs, organizations, or groups related to your interests, like sports teams, book clubs, or art classes. Join professional organizations or networking groups related to your field. Or consider joining a religious community or group for social interaction and support.

Volunteer work: Volunteering is an important way to meet people and get involved in your community while supporting a cause you care about. Find a group like Moms Demand Action that has chapters in cities and states and then take on a role that keeps you engaged.

Neighborhood engagement: Get to know your neighbors, attend block parties, or participate in local initiatives. There’s so much more going on at a local level than you realize, and once you plug in, you might decide to run for local office yourself.

Online communities: Search for online forums, social media groups, or platforms where people with similar interests connect. During the pandemic, I joined an online hiking group, and it was an excellent way to meet people with similar interests who lived nearby.

Support groups: If you're facing specific challenges, look for support groups where you can connect with others experiencing similar situations. I’ve met so many women who have had a family member stolen by gun violence and channeled that loss into creating a safe space for others to heal and, eventually, to become advocates.

Last week, I drove to San Jose to meet with a group called the Gigis, a community created for “midlife women to gather, grow and give back.” They invited me to join their gathering of nearly 60 women to discuss what they could do together after the election to help one another and the other communities they belong to. Some of the women were exploring a run for office. Others were thinking about starting nonprofit organizations to serve their neighbors. And others were considering creating Substacks or going back to school to hone their activism skills. But no matter how they were moving forward individually, all of the Gigis were committed to coming together again and again to support and encourage each other to keep going.

In the comments, let me know about the communities you belong to and how they help you stay engaged in the world. Are you thinking about joining or creating a new community? If so, how will you do that? Is anything holding you back?

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