#nomuslimregistry

I made this post a while ago, linking to and encouraging people to sign George Takei’s petition, and I wanted to clarify things since it’s been making its rounds again.

People are absolutely right in pointing out that signing this petition is not going directly affect legislature. It’s not an official government thing, and you’re absolutely right in saying that calling your representatives, attending and organizing protests, helping local groups, and donating are incomparably better ways to “take action.”

However, reading through the comments/tags on the post alone, I feel that being vocal in showing support is also not meaningless. By no means should you pat yourself on the back and let signing the petition be the extent of your actions, but it does not hurt to also sign.

It is a petition that is headed by a well known celebrity who has a personal reason to be vocal about this fight, and it is not contained to the very limited social sphere of Tumblr. George just said on twitter that it will “be presented to the Muslim Public Affairs Council and government leaders.” People WILL see it, and HAVE seen it.

It is a way to show solidarity, one additional small thing you can do, especially if you do not have the mental, emotional, physical, legal, or financial means to be as active in other ways. For example, if you, like me, are not a U.S. citizen and wouldn’t be able to sign official government petitions as a constituent anyway.

It’s easy, it’s fast, it doesn’t require you to sign up for stuff, and if this is your first time signing something or contributing to petitions/donations/protests, hey, maybe it can be a first step that leads to others.

Follow the link. Look at the number of people who have signed, at the comments that are scrolling past. Know that you’re not alone.

She always has.