Music, imagery, and all forms of creativity expand our imagination, give language to emotions we can’t yet articulate, and offer new ways of seeing the world. Art doesn’t just inspire – it influences movements and strengthens the everyday activism that shapes our shared future.

What does it mean to be a good ancestor? And how do the stories we carry—liminal, loving, and lethal—shape our lives and future generations?

It all begins with an idea.

We often make small compromises—staying silent, keeping our heads down, choosing comfort over conviction. But these choices shape our communities in powerful ways. Drawing on lessons from Václav Havel’s 1970s story of the greengrocer, we are invited to defy systems of control and reclaim our agency.

In a time of political division and personal disconnection, turning toward our ancestry can help us heal. Understanding our lineage—its beauty and brutality—can help us become more grounded, resilient, and courageous in facing today’s fractured world.

In Portland, protest looks a little different—think inflatable frogs, naked bike rides, and dance parties. This is “tactical frivolity,” the radical tradition of using humor, art, and absurdity to deflate authoritarian power with joy and community.

In a world flooded with headlines, it’s easy to forget the people behind the stories. Every crisis, policy, and tragedy has human lives at stake – and these are our people. When we view each other as common to us, we are invited to reconnect with empathy, awareness, and action in how we read and respond to the news events of our day.

During WWII, the French town of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon sheltered 2,000 refugees from Nazi persecution. Led by ordinary citizens, their quiet defiance offers timeless lessons in resilience, shared values, and collective resistance against authoritarianism.

Activism as a Posture: Our Part in the Long Struggle for Social Change

These five powerful acts have been used by communities to resist authoritarianism—from Nazi Germany to modern America. Learning lessons from past acts of resilience and defiance can help guide our movements forward in protecting democracy today.

If you’re feeling stuck between wanting to create change and the fear of taking action, this "safe enough" framework helps us move from paralysis to purposeful action.

Tired of hearing “fine” when you ask your child or grandchild about school? These 12 questions spark real conversations, helping your child – or your partner, friend, or yourself – reflect, open up, and share the moments that matter most. Perfect for back-to-school season or just about anytime.

It feels like we're in a doom-loop of terrible news – so how do we move forward? Instead of jumping straight to changework through sheer will and desire, finding ways to embody love in honest and real ways might center our work a bit better.

This “hat, haircut, or tattoo” framework is helpful in supporting the decision-making of potential activists and activists alike. By identifying what kind of decision we’re being asked to make, we can overcome fear, start small, and build lasting impact in our communities.

Explore how intimate you are with the social issues you care most about. Learn why going beyond awareness to build real relationships fuels lasting activism, resilience, and meaningful change.

It can be a struggle to move from planning into action. Analysis paralysis and information overload can keep up lost in our heads, while we never end up actually moving our feet. Instead, what if we focused on taking small, relational steps that can lead to real community impact?

Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer’s poem “For When People Ask” offers an oh-so-human look at the tension of living in the both/and of this moment. Watching children die across the world while watching our own dance in the summertime breeze – how can we hold such emotions and honor them both? How can we remain awake to both so that we might give ourselves to action?

Feeling stuck but wanting to make change? Consider these ten recommednations from Omkari Williams to being making a meaningful impact without burnout. Learn how to focus your efforts, build community, and stay grounded in purpose—all while honoring your values. No action toward change is too small.