Communtiy Psychology Praxis
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cp-praxis.bsky.social
Communtiy Psychology Praxis
@cp-praxis.bsky.social
100 followers 79 following 250 posts
Community psychologist and university professor with organizing experience. I teach community organizing and advocacy skills to undergraduates (among other things).
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cp-praxis.bsky.social
This is the history that the white supremacists want to hide (I took this in the MAAHC this week). What kind of person reads this and gets triggered? A: The kind who sides with the people who were working against abolition. Instead of a sense of pride in what we have overcome, they feel shame.
August 21, 2025 at 10:01 AM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
What do I say in my comment? Clearly state whether or support or oppose the rule or regulation. Say why you support or oppose the change- this can be a personal story, a concern you have, or drawn from your professional expertise. You can sign up on the federal register to get updates. Is there anything I should avoid in my comment? Keep your comments professional- avoid writing anything you would not share in any other professional setting. Remember that your comments will be public. About the creator. These infographics were created by a community psychologist and university professor who teaches community organizing and advocacy skills (among other things). Credit for the template goes to Canva. If you found these infographics useful, please share them! Want more info? Contact me at yourcommunitypsychologist@gmail.com
August 3, 2025 at 8:02 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
We are entering another public comment period- looks like lots of environmental regulatory changes are open for comment right now (looking at you, climate activists)! I put together some infographics on public comments- what they are, how to do them, and why it's important.
Public comments on proposed federal rules and regulations: Tips for making effective comments. About federal rule changes. Anytime a federal agency changes the way they implement a law, they first public the proposed changes online in the federal register (federalregister.gov). Federal agencies are required by law to collect public comments prior to rule changes. Who can comment? Anyone can (and should) comment! Expertise is not required, and, agencies are required by law to respond to public comments in their introduction to the change. Public comments are typically accepted in a 30-60 day period. Why comment? Your comments make a difference by: 1. Putting public support (or lack of) on record. 2. Pressuring federal agencies to modify a proposed rule or regulation. 3. Getting evidence on record that can be used in lawsuits against the federal action. Public comments are a way to engage in participatory democracy.
August 3, 2025 at 7:59 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
Image is from COSSA's analysis of the President's FY26 budget requests' impact on the social and behavioral sciences. Source information is here. cossa.org/cossa-releas...

Gutting social science infrastructure creates harm to communities, and cuts research and training of future professionals.
July 8, 2025 at 7:40 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
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8. Educate others. Talk to people in your networks about the role the library plays in your community, and why you support it. Final thoughts. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, and many things are outside your control. Being active in your local community can create real, positive change. Starting at the local level to defend democracy helps bring larger changes. Even a small action is better than no action! About the creator. These infographics were created by a community psychologist and university professor who teaches community organizing and advocacy skills (among other things). Credit for the template goes to Canva. If you found these infographics useful, please share them! Want more info? Contact me at yourcommunitypsychologist@gmail.com
July 3, 2025 at 2:37 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
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6. Join the "friends" group. Many public libraries have "friends" groups which plan fundraisers, public awareness campaigns, and engage in other supports for the library. 7. Donate. Donate to your library and participate in fund raisers if you can.
July 3, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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Pro Tip! Check out resources from the National Coalition Against Censorship or PEN America. The National Coalition Against Censorship has a book censorship toolkit. 3. Attend board meetings. Public libraries are governed by a Board and the meetings are public. Check your library's website for meeting information. Attend and stay informed! 4. Give feedback. Public meetings set time for public comments. Give feedback- don't forget to give positive feedback, too! You can also email the board. 5. Join the Board. Some public library boards are appointed, others are elected. Joining your board gives you greater voice. (or, encourage others to join).
July 3, 2025 at 2:31 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
Things are feeling grim for so many. Libraries- central to democracy- are under attack.

Here are 8 different ways for you to support your local public library. It may seem small, but taking steps to support your local public library is an action item that you can do which will have great impact.
Support public libraries. 8 actions for everyday people. Public libraries are critical to communities. Public libraries provide equal access to information and are essential for democracy. Public libraries are one of the last few remaining true public spaces- free, and open to all. 1. Use them. Check out materials, attend programs, reserve meeting rooms, use the computers and copier, request the book mobile, etc...funding allocations are based on useage data. 2. Get up to speed on censorship tactics. Learn tactics groups use to engage in censorship and why these tactics are disingenuous, so you know how to fight back.
July 3, 2025 at 2:29 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
7. Embrace "radical self-care." Radical self-care is when you prioritize your needs and well-being above the needs of the movement (and of others). Prioritizing your needs now will ensure you are able to engage in collective action tomorrow. A reminder. Community organizing is a "slow burn." You will be doing this work for a long time. Take actions now to prevent burnout later- it's good for you, and it's good for the movement. About the creator. These infographics were created by a community psychologist and university professor who teaches community organizing and advocacy skills (among other things). Credit for the template goes to Canva. If you found these infographics useful, please share them! Want more info? Contact me at yourcommunitypsychologist@gmail.com.
June 18, 2025 at 5:54 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
3. Don't be a martyr. "Martyr syndrome" occurs when activists feel that they have to be doing all the things, all the time. It causes burnout. It impedes activist movements. Do not fall into the trap of martyr syndrome! 4. Adopt the "small wins" approach. Recognize most wins are not huge. Set (and focus on) short-term goals. A series of small, successive wins helps build momentum and keeps people- including you- engaged. 5. Study social movements. It is important to see the value of what you are doing in the long-term. Studying social movements can help you put your work (and particularly the failures) into the larger perspective. 6. Do self-care, and delegate. Engage in self-care: sleep, eat well, exercise, schedule fun things to do. Be sure to delegate before you feel burnt out. If you are already feeling burnout it may suggest that you are taking up too much space and should step back.
June 18, 2025 at 5:52 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
Let's talk burnout: Avoing burnout is good for you and it's good for the movement. Here are some strategies.
Avoiding burnout while engaging in activism. Activism can take a mental toll. Activism can be costly: mentally, physically, legally, emotionally. It can harm interpersonal relationships. Burnout is a threat to activist movements. Movements fizzle out when activists get burned out and disengage. Take steps to prevent and mitigate burnout. Here's how... 1. Get support. Don't go it alone! Surround yourself with other activists and friends who share your convictions. Support is particularly important when engaging in high risk acts, such as sit-ins or riskier protests. 2. Expect an ebb and flow. Recognize that it is normal for feelings to ebb and flow over time. What has you really stressed today, may not be so stressful tomorrow. Expect your passion to ebb and flow, too.
June 18, 2025 at 5:47 PM
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Remember: community organizing is a "slow burn." every action matters! Protests are part of a larger organizing strategy. Particularly in a time when media is pressued into silence and complicity, protests play a vital role in setting the public narrative. About the creator. These infographics were created by a community psychologist and university professor who teaches community organizing and advocacy skills (among other things). Credit for the template goes to Canva. If you found these infographics useful, please share them! Want more info? Contact me at yourcommunitypsychologist@gmail.com
June 13, 2025 at 5:53 PM
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3. Protests build community. Protests help people who are about an issue find one another, building community and growing "people power" (what we call collective power). This is really important in places where people are geographically dispersed, disconnected, or just have a hard time finding one another for any reason. 5. Protests set the stage for later actions. Nonviolent protests are only ONE type of direct action. It is the easiest and least risky. Participating in nonviolent protests helps build support for later, more challenging direct action organizing efforts (such as sit-ins or boycotts).
June 13, 2025 at 5:51 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
As we gear up for tomorrow, here are some thoughts on the purpose of nonviolent protests. 1/3
What do protests accomplish? do protests work? YES! If you have been protesting for a while, you may be feeling like they aren't working. Not true! Nonviolent protests are a central part of a larger organizing strategy. 1. Protests sway public opinion. Nonviolent protests tell people in your community that there's a problem, that you (and others) care about it, and that they should care, too. This is called conscious raising. 2. Public support inspires others. People who are on the fence about publicly supporting an issue can be inspired to join - and feel safer doing so - if they see others protest. People are more likely to join protests if they are nonviolent.
June 13, 2025 at 5:49 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
9. Have conversations. One of the most important things you can do in this current moment is to keep speaking out on the issues that matter. Continue having conversations with friends, family members, and coworkers on what's happening, why you are concerned, and how you are responding. Social media conversations count, too! Final thoughts- community organizing is a "slow burn." Every action matters! There are multiple roles to play in this movement- what's most important is to find an action you are comfortable with, and start there. As you get comfortable, revisit this list and take on another action. About the creator. These infographics were created by a community psychologist and university professor who teaches community organizing and advocacy skills (among other things). Credit for the template goes to Canva. If you found these infographics useful, please share them! Want more info? Contact me at yourcommunitypsychologist@gmail.com.
June 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
5. Donate to pro-democracy organizations. If you have the funds to do s, donate to those organizations at the frontlines of defending our democracy. Some organizations to support include the ACLU, Brennan Center for Justice, Common Cause, Democracy Forward, and Protect Democracy. Even $5 helps! 6. Boycott. Boycott companies whose values do not align with yours, and shop at companies which express your values. Shop at local small businesses. Pro tip! Check out targetfast.org. 7. Get involved locally. Local government is where change happens: school board meetings, public library board meetings, city or county government meetings. All meetings are public. Attend and comment (or email) on issues that matter to you. Google to find schedules and agendas online. Schedules and agendas must be publicly posted by law. Pro tip! Share positive feedback, too. 8. Be (or support) a local candidate or appointee. You can run for local office, or serve on a local board or committee. Check out organizations like runforsomething.net, voterunlead.org. Not for you? Help find people able to do so- and support them.
June 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
2. Show support for protesters. If a protest is occuring in your area and you have the ability, drive by and honk and wave! Doing so is a morale boost for those on the front lines. It also sends a message of support to other bystanders. 3. Support local organizers behind the scenes. Find out what groups or people are organizing protests in your community, and offer to do back-of-house tasks, such as help secure permits, donate supplies or money, and create flyers. 4. Support the helpers. No protests in your community? You can still support helpers! what other organizations are doing the work in your community? Find a civic group or activist organization that does work you value, attending a meeting (if able), and ask how you can support them. How to find local organizations. Google the topic you are interested in (e.g., "housing," LGBTQ+ rights," etc.) and "advocacy organization" to find organizations in your area.
June 11, 2025 at 1:10 PM
cp-praxis.bsky.social
Tips for engaging in activism if you are unable to attend a protest.
9 tips for quiet activism for people new to activism. why quiet activism? there are many reasons why people cannot participate in a protest, including (but not limited to): lack of transportation or time, having a disability, safety concerns. There is still a place for you in this movement! 1. Call congress. At the federal level, you have two Senators and one House representative in Congress. Call them and let them know what you are concerned about. You can call every day! They DO track issues and shift stances in response to feedback. Reps who you disagree with need to know that. Reps who you agree with can be pushed to work harder- so call them, too! Find your repts in the U.S. congress at https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member Apps like 5calls.org track calls and provide scripts for newbies.
June 11, 2025 at 1:07 PM