Today is the day. The day to do something. To do anything. Because there is no better day than today.

This is the day you think about more than yourself. You think about your family, neighbors, friends, others around the city, and the vulnerable populations who are struggling with such challenges as poverty and being homeless.

And no matter what time it is when you read this, it’s the right moment to respond and get physical. To stand up. To step up. To speak up. If you wait for another time or day, it will be too late.

Too many of us have never felt a greater sense of angst and urgency. With all the disturbing news, it would be very easy and understandable to distance ourselves, to distract ourselves, to even disconnect ourselves from the harsh reality which surrounds us. But we can’t keep closing the door behind us and walking away from what’s happening out there.

This is not just a bad dream or nightmare. It’s definitely more than that. It’s real. It’s painful. It’s inevitable.

There are many things that you and I can do. We can march. We can protest. We can host a potluck dinner. We can organize a roundtable discussion. We can help those who find themselves on the streets without a roof over their heads or money in their pockets.

It’s only been about three months since the presidential inauguration. But Duluth is already under attack by a president who appears incompetent, incapable of experiencing empathy, consumed by greed and can’t be honest with himself or others. His immature desire for revenge and retribution is threatening and potentially destroying our civility, moral compass and community.

In this moment, Duluth needs your presence and perseverance. Your compassion and creativity. Your faith and radical hope for a better future for the greater good.

We must protect and defend our environment. We must protect and defend the immigrants who live and work here. We must protect and defend the LBGTQ community. We must protect and defend the schools, colleges and universities. We must protect and defend the libraries and museums. We must defend and protect the people who depend upon Social Security and Medicaid.

Find your cause. Find what you care about. Find what stirs your compassion. Find where you can be creative.

The Trump administration has turned its back on so many people and places in Duluth. By cutting funds and staff from the Environmental Protection Agency and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, along with deleting any references to climate change from federal websites, it has turned its back on Duluth’s opportunity and ability to address climate change. By threatening to refuse providing federal grants to colleges and universities that have DEI initiatives, it has turned its back on diversity, equality and inclusivity for the students and faculties. By detaining and arresting immigrants, it has turned its back on the country’s documented history of welcoming and celebrating these people.

To defend Duluth, we must arm ourselves with the collective heart and spirit to rise up and fight up for our dignity, self-respect and shared humanity. To understand the inherent worth of each human being, to embrace critical thinking and strive to be woke, to move forward with a deeper sense of radical hope for our future, and to search for the truth in this world. We begin by opening up our eyes, our hearts and our arms.

There are many different ways that you and I can be present and proactive each day. Contribute food and clothing to the Chum shelter. Volunteer at the Damiano Center. Provide home cooked meals to the Loaves and Fishes’ houses of hospitality. Support the various environmental and climate groups; including the Sierra Club, Duluth Climate and Energy Network, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Ecolibrium3. Attend one of immigration rapid response trainings sponsored by Harm Reduction Sisters. Write letters to the editor at the Duluth News Tribune. Join one of the demonstrations and protests by Indivisible and 50501.

It’s time to start thinking about each other. To start finding opportunities to serve the greater good. To start building community in our neighborhoods and celebrating our common bonds in Duluth.

What will you do today?