How to do it:

Hollywood feeds us an unrealistic sense of resistance. The more entrenched fascism is, the more critical even small acts are. In the book Resistance, a fictionalized account of Jewish resistance in WWII, Polish citizens doing things as tiny as creating a distraction, offering a ride, or “dropping” a loaf of bread save lives. Today in America, standing watch outside a school, or warning a neighborhood ICE is there can do the same.

It’s hard to feel like it’s enough, even as it’s becoming more dangerous. We all have those moments, so choose someone you feel is doing more than you are, or holding up better than you are, and ask if you can take them out for a pep talk. You can be up-front about it, but you’re likely to get demurrals: the busiest activists I know are the ones who don’t think they’re doing enough, either. Instead, perhaps try this: “I want to work on resisting more effectively. Could I take you to lunch to brainstorm? My treat!”

Alternatively, plan a non-activism related activity like taking a walk or doing a chore and casually ask how they’re doing. See where the conversation goes. You might be surprised how much uncertainty most people have. The people who will make a difference keep trying anyway.