It Matters: Fighting Futility in the Face of Injustice

Recently, I’ve been drifting through a multitude of different emotions. Futility is one of them. But after reflecting more deeply and taking a more active role in the movement, inspiration and resolve have started to pepper in between these bouts of hopelessness.

First, I want to hold space for these feelings. Futility and hopelessness during the fight for social justice are normal. But left unaddressed, they remain paralyzing. Not only for our mental health, but also in calling for positive change. With inspiration from movement leaders and everyday people continuing to show up, I’m here to remind you that every act of resistance counts.

Everyday Resistance

There are countless ways to show resistance. They don’t all make headlines, and they’re not always loud. But they do matter. Here are just a few examples you can try:

• Attending protests (numbers send a message, so even just showing up matters)
• Donating to mutual aid efforts
• Calling out injustice in your workplace or school
• Refusing to normalize harmful rhetoric
• Sharing information and education resources (even if it’s just reposting trustworthy social media posts)
• Talking to your family and friends about issues they avoid
• Supporting independent journalism and media
• Opting for more sustainable alternatives
• Divesting from unethical companies and encouraging others to do the same
• Disrupting disinformation
• Creating artwork that raises awareness or uplifts movements
• Offering your time and skills (child care, rides, meals)
• Choosing to shop at small businesses
• Making space to amplify others’ voices that may be less heard
• Practicing intentional self-care to prevent burnout

These small but intentional actions contribute meaningfully to the larger movement. They matter because they disrupt the narrative that nothing can change.

Proof That It Matters

If resistance didn’t matter, there wouldn’t be such strong efforts to silence it. Each act of resistance brings visibility to issues that are unjust and thrive on being swept under the rug. It pushes conversations forward, shifts public perception, and inspires others to act. California’s obstinate resistance is clearly frustrating Trump, and a key reason why he seems to be throwing everything he has at us. But we continue to show up.

I’ll admit it’s frustrating, though. Most of the time, it feels like we need more drastic and revolutionary acts of protest to break through. And we do. But that doesn’t erase the power of smaller, everyday moments of resistance. We need to keep building each other up, not minimizing individual efforts. Here are some recent examples that show resistance (no matter how small it feels) is making a real impact:

• State lawmakers introduced the Visible Act. This bill requires federal agents to wear visible identification. While the bill has yet to pass, it shows that public demand for transparency and accountability is putting pressure on state representatives to act.
• A federal judge blocked indiscriminate ICE raids in Southern California. This is a huge win for constitutional rights. It aims to protect communities from racial profiling and unlawful detentions.
• The city of Glendale ended its ICE contract. Strong community pressure prompted city officials to stop cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.
• Cities like Santa Ana and Montebello are providing aid for families affected by ICE raids. Public demand for support has pushed local governments to provide legal assistance, financial relief, and other community resources.
• Information about rights is empowering immigrant communities. Community members have shared that “Red Card” efforts and Know Your Rights campaigns have helped them feel safer, more informed, and better prepared during any encounters with ICE.
• Major corporations have seen significant revenue drops. Companies like Starbucks and Target reported major hits to sales after boycotts were organized to protest their corporate practices.

When we resist, we create the possibility for something to change. When we don’t, we solidify that nothing will.

Pushing Forward

There will always be moments when it feels like nothing we do matters. That’s by design. Systems of injustice rely on this to keep their power. But we fight back by continuing, together.

Identify places in your daily life to resist. Then find even more. While I truly believe that every little action counts, the dire reality we face asks even more of us to defend what’s right. Take greater risks where you can. No real change happened without disruption. And join others who are taking action in whatever way they can. Because when you might be tired or afraid, someone else is drawing strength from your courage, and vice versa.