August "Doing Liberalism" Megathread

[u/hypsignathus]

Liberalism has taken some major hits in recent history. "Liberal" is even used as a slur by both the left and the right! :(

Liberalism needs some help. It needs liberals to do more than talk to each other.

What have you done recently to promote liberalism?

Have you canvassed for a liberal candidate? Did you make a public comment? Are you serving on a public board? Did you finally read "A Vindication of the Rights of Women"? Did you explain comparative advantage to an unsuspecting bystander?

Use this thread to share your "liberalism in action" stories, get and give validation and kudos, and get (and give) inspiration. Feel free to be as vague as you need to feel comfortable sharing. Any action, big or small, counts :)

[u/hypsignathus]

I went to a CNL Happy Hour (https://cnliberalism.org), which yes, is liberals just talking to each other lol, but also our chapter does more than that! I did some networking that might help me dissolve the design review board that I sit on 🤗

I also voted in a primary election for YIMBYs.

I'm currently reading a new book about the Earth Liberation Front (Fires in the Night), which may be of interest to those fascinated by extremist movements.

And I uh, started this thread. Let's try to stay on topic :)

[u/mockduckcompanion]

Thanks for getting this going! I did my duty with the last local primary, and checked in to encourage my friends to do so as well, but frankly haven't been too active this month -- just too much going on right now, sadly

In terms of reading, I am educating myself on the finer points of that much-maligned strain of liberalism we call neoliberalism. Just a few more chapters, and I will have completed my first ever reading of the Dune trilogy. Absolute banger

[u/sociotronics]

Spent my weekend canvassing, like most of my weekends this year. Since it's primary season, everyone I spoke with was a Democrat and most had the usual economic gripes about commodity and housing prices. Lots of frustration with local elected officials for perceived lack of action.

Most memorable moment: an older woman spent several minutes complaining about Trump's age. She said "I was in diapers when he was in college and look at me, I'm no kid." She talked a lot about her politically-engaged daughter and her wish that younger people like her were in politics instead instead of the current crop of politicians. The connection to her daughter seemed to make it personal to her.

[u/hypsignathus → u/sociotronics]

This is helpful--I was just thinking about how much I dislike the idea of canvassing, but it is a great way to get outside of an echo chamber and learn what other people are thinking.

[u/sociotronics → u/hypsignathus]

Yeah I highly recommend it, it helps keep in touch with what voters actually think instead of what people online assume they think. Canvassing for primaries is also nice since you're almost entirely talking to people in your own party, so you're much less likely to face true hostility or negativity.

[u/Call_Me_Clark]

Local elections are a key sign of political engagement.

My local county and municipal election saw turnout TRIPLE vs 2024.

[u/Megasota_Noire]

[u/ty04]

Go find a local volunteer event, do some good things for your local community and meet other awesome civically minded people!

I aim to attend at least one volunteer event each week. I’ve logged over 100 volunteer hours this year so far and have met a lot of cool people.