How can I as a Canadian, help Americans?

November 9, 2016 2:56 AM

I'm a Canadian woman, who is absolutely heartsick at the outcome of last night's US election. I've never had to worry about being the target of violence based on my race, gender identity or religion, being deported, or losing any of my rights, and I want to help my neighbours who are worried about those things.

I don't live near the border, so unless there's an organization that will allow me to work from home, volunteering is out. I don't have a whole lot of cash, but I can donate to charities, and I'm open to other ideas, so long as they're grounded in reality. Right now, I really feel like I need to be doing something, anything, to make the world a better place than it was when I woke up this morning.

posted by peppermind to Society & Culture (8 answers total)

Apart from offering your friends a safe shoulder, I think the most effective thing you can do is donate. I plan to donate to the ACLU, for example.

But also, I wouldn't underestimate the value of being politically engaged in Canada. First, because you have your own citizens who need protection, and they matter too. Second, because even if Trump has won America, seeing his ideas rejected by the rest of the world is a comfort; it means the whole world has not gone to complete shit. It will be truly dispiriting if Canada goes down the same path, so please work to keep that from happening.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 3:52 AM on November 9, 2016

I would say put your energies into Canada and continue making Canada a safe, welcoming place. Engage in your local politics. Watch out for any threats to your civil liberties, and continue supporting healthcare, pro-choice decisions, open borders, helping refugees in this uncertain times (who knows, some of those refugees may come from the US).
posted by moiraine at 4:23 AM on November 9, 2016

Help find housing for political refugees. And jobs. We need you. Thank you from a disabled American woman.
posted by Beethoven's Sith at 9:39 AM on November 9, 2016

Nothing to add, sorry, but I do want to say thank you.
posted by holborne at 10:28 AM on November 9, 2016

I feel the same way and will be donating to US charities named above - particularly ACLU and Planned Parenthood, but also to ad hoc requests for bail money from groups like BLM and Standing Rock. Helping the people as much as I can.

But I will also, unlike a lot of my fellow country people, not let myself be fooled into think that Canada will be immune to the ripple effects of this presidency. Bigots all over will be emboldened by this and I will not let that stand if I can intervene. We cannot get complacent.

(I would honestly take Harper back now and give the US Trudeau if it would change yesterday's result.)
posted by urbanlenny at 10:47 AM on November 9, 2016

Being poor, homeless, and relying on foodstamps means that, well, I'm potentially in for some really ugly shit as are the millions of others in my situation. One thing you can do is choose a city and donate to one of its soup kitchens. Might I suggest lovely Bellingham Washington? We're basically Southern Canada anyway.
posted by bfootdav at 11:20 AM on November 9, 2016

Saw this list earlier - A List of Pro-Women, Pro-Immigrant, Pro-Earth, Anti-Bigotry Organizations That Need Your Support

They're pushing some more lists up in the comments there as well.

But as was pointed out in the election thread earlier today, "Leitch calls Trump victory ‘exciting message that needs to be delivered in Canada as well.’"

So, basically what Kutsuwamushi and moiraine said above.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:04 PM on November 9, 2016

I posted this list of practical suggestions from Slate in another thread, but it might be helpful here, too.
posted by rpfields at 4:48 PM on November 9, 2016