Discrimination in the workplace, lack of representation in media, abuse and violence in public spaces—racism takes many forms. While we watch in disbelief as U.S. President Trump’s policies and statements target and victimize people of color (POC), we may start to feel hopeless as a species. But rather than lament the state of affairs, it’s time for people in positions of privilege to take action.
We believe a .SUCKS domain can help in this goal. While an effective domain will not be able to fix the existing social and political structures at play singlehandedly, it can be a useful political tool to help push back against racism in politics, communities and in the media. We understand that these issues are complex, require nuance, widespread education and constructive dialogue around oppression and power. The situation we are in can’t be undone overnight—but we can make small changes, daily, that start to challenge the oppressive structures at play. If you’re looking to take a stance online, here are some ways to add a .SUCKS domain to your toolkit.
Create and Promote a Petition
Find a petition online that champions a cause you believe in—or start one of your own. Whether you want to support affirmative action in education or push back against Trump’s immigration plans, a petition can help rally likeminded people behind a common cause. Consider promoting your petition through a .SUCKS domain like Discrimination.Sucks to get the attention—and signatures—you need to make a difference. While your efforts shouldn’t stop at a signature, a successful petition can help pressure government or organizations to support your cause.
Lobby Your Local Representative
A custom domain can be a good place to express your point of view on issues relating to your community and area. If you want your local representatives to push back against racism, ask them to prioritize funding for schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods, stricter penalties for excessive and unwarranted police violence and more diverse representation in politics. Express your views to your representative by phone or email, and use your .SUCKS domain to ask others to do the same. For instance, you can use your domain to find like-minded people who agree that the the travel ban sucks and encourage them to also get in touch with their local reps. The more people that contact their local representatives, the greater chance that these issues will be raised to Congress.
Engage in Meaningful Dialogue
Instead of shouting at people on the streets or feeding the trolls on Twitter to combat racism, why not go to public townhall meetings or find productive online forums where you can talk about important issues more productively? Engaging your friends and family in meaningful conversations can be a strong first step in bringing more understanding into the world. Consider using a domain like StayingSilent.Sucks to provide resources and useful conversation prompts that community groups can use to respectfully reflect on (and overcome) oppressive attitudes and situations.
Support Diverse Media
There are many ways to support diversity in media—start by supporting movies starring people of color on opening weekend (where your dollars really make the greatest impact), buying books by authors of color, playing video games with a diverse cast and watching sports that champion athletes of color. Let investors and directors know that you want more diverse representation in your entertainment by voting with your wallet. A custom domain like CulturalAppropriation.Sucks can help highlight different ways that mainstream media often misses the mark with its depictions of minorities, and help promote diverse media that more accurately represents a full range of experiences.
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The Takeaway
The internet alone won’t combat racism, but it can be a good place to start. With so many people getting their news and information through online channels, it’s up to us to find counterpoints to racist rhetoric and use the net to promote change. Dialogue and education are key steps in fighting racism—so make sure you’re using the platforms available to you, and make yourself heard when it matters most.
Have more to say on this issue? A custom .SUCKS domain is a good place to start. Join the conversation today.
Photos: Shutterstock / Rena Schild, Shutterstock / loreanto
