In the wake of the Supreme Court’s historic decision overturning Roe v. Wade, conservatives find themselves in an unfamiliar position: We are not used to winning. The story of the conservative movement for the past century has been that of a long defeat, or at least a fighting retreat, as the left devours more and more of our culture. Moments like the Dobbs decision last Friday or Donald Trump’s victory in 2016 can feel few and far between.
As we celebrate our Independence Day this weekend, let us consider how to capitalize on this victory.
Saving civilization is a tall order. Where do we even start? It is easy to do nothing in the face of such an overwhelming task, so we must start small. Here are ten simple things you can do today to begin restoring our country:
Fly the flag
The left is not shy about displaying the emblems of their nation throughout the month of June. We must do the same. While the left has gone all in on the LGBTQ+ globalist American empire, we on the right still remember the glory of the United States of America. Many of us have ancestors who fought in World War II, the Civil War, and even the War for Independence. This nation was great once, and a remnant of her people still have that greatness within them. Celebrate that!
Talk to your neighbors
Conversation is the lifeblood of any society. It is people speaking to each other, sharing information, strengthening relationships, and building community. The philosophies of the Enlightenment Era were developed out of discussions at French salons throughout the 17th century. The philosophies that power the reconquest of America will be in living rooms and backyards throughout the country.
Buy local
It’s easy to order everything on Amazon these days. Now that the new warehouse in Meridian is in operation, many items can arrive same day. While this is convenient, and sometimes necessary, don’t forget your local businesses. Make an effort to buy goods and services from your friends and neighbors. Buy meat, eggs, fruit, and vegetables from local farmers. It’s good to get to know your local farmer anyway, but if things go seriously bad in this country, they might be the difference between starvation and survival.
Parades!
Summer parades are an American institution. Every city and town once held a parade to celebrate our independence, or just to celebrate our heritage as Americans. If your community does not have a parade on or around July 4th, then work with city leaders to organize one. If it already does, then see if you can take part. Patriotic parades are a way to honor our heroes and to remind adults and children alike of the greatness of our nation and heritage.
Barbecues
Like parades, the barbecue grill is an American tradition. Whether you burn charcoal or turn on propane; whether you prefer burgers and hot dogs or brisket and ribs, when you fire up the grill you are walking in the footsteps of American men going back generations. A barbecue grill can be a way to build relationships with your neighbors, bonding over wholesome American food.
Join the library board
I have written before about how integral the library is to our civilization. For generations, Americans have taken libraries for granted as sources of information and entertainment. For many children, getting their own library card is a rite of passage. Yet these traditional institutions have been captured by left-wing activists who see themselves as woke missionaries in a pagan land. How do we stop this nonsense and make sure libraries promote traditional values? Join the board, and use your influence over the policies and personnel of your local library.
Veterans story time
Drag queen story hour is a disgusting spectacle that has been deliberately engineered to groom and corrupt our children. Rather than just denouncing this deviancy, why not promote an alternative? A Veterans Story Hour would be a fantastic event at your local library and school. There are many American veterans, from World War II to the Global War on Terror, who would be happy to spend some time reading books with children and answering their questions about courage, sacrifice, and life.Go to meetings
We all like to complain on social media, but the greatness of American politics is in how easy it is to get involved. Go to your city council meeting and offer testimony on an issue that concerns you. Go to your school board or library board meetings. Go to your county Republican meetings and share your concerns with the PCs and legislators. Join or create a neighborhood association or homeschooling group. Political power comes not from people like me typing on a keyboard, but people like you organizing and amplifying your voices.
Find a church
There was a time when American families could simply pick the nearest church of their denomination and they would be good to go. It is more complicated now, with woke social justice infiltrating every denomination and disagreements about theology, style, and music make the remaining choices even harder. Yet the church not only used to be the foundation of American communities, but it is also where Christians connect with other members of the Body of Christ. If you can’t find a good church, then start your own! Our Lord said that He is present anywhere two or three are gathered in His name.
Mentor young people
What has happened to the institutions we once trusted with the next generation? Public schools are a lost cause. Many church groups have gone off the rails. The Girl Scouts went woke long ago, and the Boy Scouts have sadly followed. Young people need guidance, they need to learn how to organize as a team, and they need mentors who can teach them virtue in a land of vice, to honor their heritage in a time when it is demonized, and to be masculine men and feminine women in a world that preaches the opposite. The entire modern world is bent on corrupting the bodies and souls of the next generation, so we must build them up.
This weekend we celebrate the independence of our nation. Remember that our fathers did not take up arms against their king merely over issues of taxation or regulation, but in defense of their God-given rights as Englishmen. Today’s tyrant is not a king, but a system, the deep state bureaucracy that is squeezing the life out of our country. We might not be called upon to take up arms today, as our forefathers did, but we can start with this list. The reconquest of America begins in your backyard!