These days, many in our community want to learn more about how to play a bigger role in our government. Multiple websites offer news of upcoming protests and other events for participation, but these activist efforts make more sense when we have a better understanding of why things are the way they are and how we can most effectively create change. There are many potential answers, but here are some opportunities to consider.
The Resistance Labs, founded by Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), has created training via Zoom for activists who organize or simply participate in protests. The Resistance Labs initiative is available worldwide and emphasizes effective protest for social justice issues without destruction or violent escalation, even in the presence of aggressive opposition. Jayapal’s approach highlights the importance of community involvement in the fight for equity and accountability. Protesters must be prepared for disturbing reactions when community emotions are running high. Other groups may attempt to intimidate or disrupt your message. Resistance Labs training emphasizes the management of such situations with consideration given to the logistical aspects of nonviolent protesting as well as strategies for maintaining safety. Effective protests must stay focused on the message and not be diverted into verbal conflict or worse.
The Resistance Lab training was developed with resources from the Nonviolent Action Lab at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and other organizations promoting nonviolent resistance. The goals are to help people use tools and tactics to turn anger, fear, and frustration into peaceful action. Included are discussions on the theory of how democracies fall and the responses seen in movements around the world. If you are curious to learn more, click here for Representative Jayapal’s Resistance Labs web page.
The Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Major U.S. universities have been increasing their free online public offerings for years. Many short online courses will inform you about our government and the technological pitfalls we must deal with. You can explore university online course offerings yourself, but here are a few suggestions that could be of interest to people visiting this site.
Harvard University for Professional and Lifelong Learning now has an extensive catalog of 133 free online courses. Apply filters (Social Sciences, Free, Harvard Kennedy School, and Online) to access courses discussed here. Course offerings change frequently so sign up for their updates or check back on the site if you are interested. The following are just a few of the options available:
“Citizen Politics in America: Public Opinion, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media” is a self-paced introductory course that involves an estimated two to four hours of effort over four weeks. Topics include how U.S. elections differ from those of other democracies, why social movements succeed or fail, the theory and practice of polling, and the political consequences of a decentralized news media, among others.
“U.S. Political Institutions: Congress, Presidency, Courts, and Bureaucracy” is a self-paced introductory course that involves an estimated two to four hours of effort over four weeks. Topics include what causes political polarization between parties, why presidents are less constrained in foreign policy than in domestic policy, how Congress’s structure limits progress on significant issues, and the influence of politics on Supreme Court decisions.
“Our Information Emergency: Navigating the Media Environment in 2021” is a 20-minute introductory webinar describing the content of a much longer and more complex program of priced courses on the same topic. The webinar can be accessed immediately at any time by anyone. Professor Gibbs gives a fascinating summary of the impact on Americans’ access to information since the precipitous decline of newspapers. As we know, not everyone has the same skill or motivation to seek out the information they want or should have. Social media and the internet are dangerous places for truth, and some large areas of the country are virtual information deserts. This presentation is of course all the more alarming considering the sudden rise of artificial intelligence since 2021.
Submitted by Deborah 5/28/2025