“Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.”
— from Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation, John Lewis’s farewell letter to America
We’re so glad you’re rising to our challenge! Here are resources and links for the numbered action ideas (1 to 20) on our challenge card:
- Thanks to everyone who joined us on July 17 for the GOOD TROUBLE rally. Next up: our NJ 11th for Change Meet-Up on the evening of August 21! Sign up here. Invite a friend to sign up, too — that's how we build a movement!
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Share the Good Trouble Challenge on social media with friends and allies. Invite them to join the challenge with you!
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Dance! Check out NJ 11th for Change’s Good Trouble Lives On playlist on Spotify … or create your own!
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What does “good trouble” mean to you? Make a short video telling us, and email it to us at [email protected]. We will compile them to share on our socials.
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Save your federal representatives’ numbers to your phone. Find them at this link.
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Put the contact info for your state representatives on your speed dial. Find them here.
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Touch Grass! Maybe at one of these wonderful New Jersey parks? NJDEP | New Jersey State Park Service
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Donate to NJ 11th for Change at www.nj11.org/donate. Every dollar helps!
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Try out a new political newsletter. Suggestions:
- Robert Hubbell’s Daily Newsletter: Robert B. Hubbell | Substack
- Lenz Men Yell at Me
- Jessica Craven Chop Wood, Carry Water
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Jay Kuo The Status Kuo
Tell us what you read! Send email to [email protected] with your suggestions and we will share in an upcoming newsletter.
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Crafting the resistance! Check out this article from Teen Vogue: How Knitting Clubs Became the Least Suspecting Place for Political Change | Teen Vogue
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Your experiences as an activist can motivate other people to get involved! Write a paragraph and share it on social media (on NJ 11th for Change’s Facebook page, on your personal Facebook page, on your Instagram or BlueSky or Twitter account, etc.). Need a place to start? Try this prompt: “In honor of John Lewis and his call to cause good trouble, I am reminded of the time when ….”
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Sign up for a canvassing shift here — and recruit a 1st-timer to volunteer with you! That's how we build a movement.
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Print out some ACLU “Know Your Rights” (KYR) cards! You can find them here. Or email us at [email protected] for pocket-sized “Know Your Rights” cards from Indivisible. We will have packs of them to distribute at the Good Trouble rally on 7/17 in Morris Township; stop by our table and get some!
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Research summer/fall farmers markets and street fairs in your town, and email us at [email protected] with dates, places, and tabling info for the events you find. These are great opportunities for us to host tables, register voters, conduct important voter education, and more!
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Not a member of NJ 11th for Change yet? Register at www.nj11.org/join! And why not share with some friends too?
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Stretch. Politics is stressful. Your mind and body deserve a break! Here are some stretching suggestions. Of course, be mindful of your own body’s limits!
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Give your state or federal reps a call and tell them how you feel. Their numbers are already in your phone (see challenges #5 and #6)!
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Share NJ 11th for Change’s “Power of Us” cards with your friends and neighbors. Each card has important voter info and invitations to get involved. Shoot us an email at [email protected] and we’ll get you a pack. You can also get a pack at our table at the Good Trouble rally on 7/17 in Morris Township!
- Thanks to everyone who shared photos from the July 17 GOOD TROUBLE event! Next up, if you attend our Aug 21 NJ 11th for Change Meet-Up (sign up here), please share pics and take-aways with your like minded friends. BE AN INFLUENCER! Your enthusiasm is the best way to encourage friends to join you in volunteering!
- Primal Scream
* Bookmark this page and come back for inspiration and updates!
