Originally posted on my Facebook:
I've heard from a few people around that these days, it's tough to open up the news feed, that they would rather see pictures of puppies and babies to cheer themselves up, rather than reading the news.
It's tough. But you have to face it. Because it's not going away. I know it's a lot to ask, but it's tough on me as well, and many others, and we are fighting this together.
You have to light that anger, and that discontent at what's happening and turn that to action.
If you're in the US, call your Senators and Representatives. Emails and tweets are fine, but also call them. Talking over the phone (even to an answering machine) has the largest impact.
If you're in Canada or the UK, call your MPs. Tell them this is an international issue you care about and ask them to speak out and intervene diplomatically. The action committed today is not an inconsequential action that only affects domestic American politics. It affects all of us.
If you have some spare change (or any money), donate it to ACLU Nationwide. They're on the ground fighting this and they need all the resources they can get, not just now, not just tomorrow, but for the next months. I have just donated $25. I challenge you to match it (if it's financially possible) or go even further than that.
Talk to your friends who are in a better financial position than you or have better political powers than you. Urge them also to take those actions.
Whatever we do, we can't close our eyes.
Whatever we do, we can't stay silent.
#StopTheBan

A few days ago, I spent some time watching the first press conference by Donald Trump and also the Senate confirmation hearing of Rex Tillerson.

Oh boy.

But I'm not here to talk about all the cringe-worthy moments I saw throughout those interactions. What I'm here to talk about is role models.

Remember that campaign ad that Hilary Clinton campaign put out regarding who we want our children to look up to? If not, go watch it, because we're living in that future now.

It has been striking me of late, that we're awfully short of political role models that are currently in office that children can look up to. Of course there are still scientists, innovators, writers that act their best but what message are we sending our kids about politics if individuals like Donald Trump, Nigel Farage, and Rodrigo Duterte are the role models we have?

As a result, I have a challenge for you.

The next few years will be tough (not just in the US, but also elsewhere in the world) and kids will grow up looking to those politicians.

So be a role model for them instead. 

Fight to protect the right of someone you love. Learn about issues, get involved politically and don't shy away from talking to others about these topics. I'm not saying it will be easy. I'm saying it will be necessary. You will have to distinguish what you want to hear to what's actually true and credible and it'll involve challenging yourself often. Go out there and vote. Go attend those town hall meetings. Email/call those politicians.

Younger people (or even your colleagues) will look up to you as an example. And it is our responsibility to ensure that we move forward and do better things.

Let 2017 be not the year shrouded by the Donald Trump presidency, or the break down of peace talks and climate talks. Let it be the year that we change the course of conversation and start making better decisions.