Indivisibles,

This Thanksgiving, many of us will be reuniting with our extended family for the first time since the election. And there’s a high probability that, at some point, the conversation around the dinner table will turn to Trump’s victory, cabinet nominees, and what’s to come. 

So, let’s talk turkey and figure out how to navigate the political drama that might be served alongside the pumpkin pie this year. 

If your family shares your politics, that’ll certainly make this week easier. An opportunity to decompress and process with family might not be pleasant, but it can be cathartic. Community has gotten a lot of us through the past few weeks, and not everyone has that. So, if you have members of your family who feel the same way you do, and are looking for ways to get involved and take action, please: 

• Invite them to find their community by joining a local Indivisible group 
• Share our new guide with them so they have actionable ways to fight for their values 

If you’ve got a broader spectrum of political opinions at the table this year and decide to engage, we’ve got some tips on that too. Know, going in, you’re not going to convince anyone they voted the wrong way or transform anyone’s worldview overnight. The goal isn’t to WIN the argument or land a devastating GOTCHA moment that’ll echo in family lore for years to come. And we should be real that some people -- your hard-core MAGA uncle, perhaps -- might be too far down the rabbit hole to be reachable in the immediate future.

But also keep in mind that many people who voted for Trump weren’t voting for Project 2025, haven’t considered the reality of mass deportations, aren’t on board with massive tax breaks for billionaires, and may find themselves deeply disillusioned within months.

It’s not easy, but if you CHOOSE to engage and navigate these conversations delicately, these relatives might just reach back out when the backlash to Trump’s policies begins. And maybe we can bring them over to our side next time. 

• Show up hungry to listen: People can feel if you are actually listening with curiosity vs just waiting for your next opportunity to speak. Whether or not you feel troubled by what the other person is saying, it will only alienate them further/make it harder to move them if you’re faking it.
• Serve up thoughtful questions: Get curious and show the other person that curiosity. If you’re talking about a specific issue or topic, you can ask the person if there was a time in their life when they experienced that directly (for instance, do they know any immigrants in their own life, do they know any trans people, and so on). You’d be surprised how often this tactic can lead people to question the political talking points they were just spouting. 
• Mix in reflections on conflicting views: When someone expresses a jumble of political ideas -- say, they voted for Trump but have voiced support for abortion access -- take a moment to help them sieve through those thoughts and explore any internal struggles they raise. 
• Acknowledge the spice of critique from the right and left: Not everyone will savor what the Democratic party is dishing up, especially if they've felt the recipe lacked seasoning and depth lately. If someone is historically left-leaning but moved away from Dems because of concerns related to Palestine, immigration, lack of benefits to their own lives, or another issue, forcing them to hear about all of Trump’s wrongs or telling them that the issue isn’t important will not work. Instead…
• Share what brings you to the table: Once you’ve listened, share your own personal stories that have shaped your views. Try to highlight points of agreement, but where that has led you to different conclusions (“I’m very much with you on that feeling/X topic. For me, that speaks to the need for…”).

Is this a foolproof system? Nope. Some people just really like to yell. But these steps usually work better than just yelling back. If you have some good conversations, we’d love to hear about it. Feel free to reply to this email to share how things went. 

And while it’s just us talking, please know we are profoundly thankful to you for everything you are doing in this difficult moment. It is your energy that fuels this movement and your dedication that shapes our future.

With that, check out your weekly to-do’s:

 Your 5 weekly to-dos

1. Read the new Indivisible Guide. Our new “Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink” is an update on our original guide and it’s full of information, tips, and strategies designed to help you harness your power, organize effectively, and push back as Trump seeks to undermine our democracy and impose Project 2025. Read the new guide, share it with your friends, and get ready to organize Trump and his cronies right out of power.
2. Join an Indivisible group, or start your own. Whether you’re in a blue, red, or purple state, you can always find strength in numbers. Individuals don’t have a lot of power, but groups do. In the years ahead, Indivisible groups will be at the center of fighting back against Trump’s authoritarian agenda and organizing to defeat MAGA at the ballot box.
3. Contact your Democratic senators and tell them to oppose H.R. 9495. On 11/21, the House passed H.R. 9495, a bill that would give the incoming Trump unchecked power to target any non-profit organization that stands in the way of his MAGA agenda. Now, the bill is going to the Senate for consideration. Because Dems control the Senate, the real risk here is that the bill gets attached to some other piece of must-pass legislation. We need Senators to forcefully speak out against that happening. 
4. Tell your Democratic senators to fill every judicial vacancy now. The Senate can work around the clock to confirm Biden’s judicial nominees or Trump will get the chance to fill all those vacancies with MAGA activists in robes. Tell your senators you expect them to put in the long hours necessary to get pro-democracy judges confirmed.
5. Check out our new toolkit, Democrats Safeguarding Democracy: A Blueprint For Blue States to Prepare for Trump 2.0. If you’re in a blue state, there are numerous ways your state lawmakers can act swiftly to protect the safety, rights, and freedoms of their residents -- and even mitigate the harm of a Trump presidency for residents of others states. This toolkit will show you how to push your leaders to take action against the looming threat of a second Trump administration. If you’re in a state where your Democratic elected officials are already making moves to resist, you’ll learn how to cheer on your electeds and how to stand by them when the going gets tough.

P.S. -- The policies we advocate for and the rights we defend all hinge on our relentless pursuit of a government that works for everyone. Our work is far from done; it's an ongoing commitment to our values and our future. Chip in today to ensure we can keep pushing, keep fighting, and keep making our voices heard.

IndivisiWins

Indivisible Sedona shared a group photo from their most recent meeting. Interested in finding your own local Indivisible group? Check here to see if there’s one near you!

Truth Brigade Big Truths: Year-End Debrief and Party

“Celebration” seems difficult when we think of the increase in disinformation we expect in 2025, and yet we DO have much to celebrate! In our last Truth Brigade call of 2024, we’ll rekindle our hope through pragmatic planning. We’ll celebrate accomplishments, get to know one another in small groups, and launch our holiday message campaign. Coming together in community is our path to resilience.

Join our final Truth Brigade Big Truths call on Wednesday, December 11 at 6:30pm ET/3:30pm PT.

Follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads to keep up on the latest information, and text “INDIVISIBLE” to 59798 to opt-in to our text messaging program, where we send rapid response actions a few times a month.

In solidarity,
Indivisible Team