In February 2017, Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, shared a list of strategic guidelines circulating at the time, aimed at effectively opposing the policies of then-President Donald Trump. While she did not claim authorship, she endorsed the advice by posting it on her Facebook page.
The ten-point strategy includes:
- Avoid using his name; refer to him as “45” instead.
- Recognize that this is a regime, and he is not acting alone.
- Refrain from arguing with his supporters; it is unproductive.
- Concentrate on his policies, not his appearance or mental state.
- Maintain a positive message; they want the country to be angry and fearful because this is the soil from which their darkest policies will grow.
- Eliminate helpless or hopeless rhetoric.
- Support artists and the arts.
- Be vigilant against spreading fake news; verify information.
- Prioritize self-care.
- Resist.
Additionally, the advice suggests attributing his actions to “The Republican Administration” or “The Republicans” to compel party members to take responsibility for their association with him or to distance themselves from his actions.
This approach aligns with progressive political strategies that emphasize focusing on policy critiques over personal attacks, fostering unity and resilience, and holding political parties accountable for their leaders’ actions. By concentrating on substantive issues and promoting constructive discourse, activists aim to build a more informed and engaged citizenry capable of enacting meaningful change.
[This is a rewrite of the viral message by ChatGPT4o with source identification.]