Do you believe you can change the world in just 10 minutes? This mom does! Find out how she is rocking her neck of the woods when it comes to legislative change and pornography. Want to get involved too? It might be easier than you think.
Melissa Blair is a mother of three, blogger, speaker, and activist. She is also founder of Campaign for a Porn-free Childhood, which advocates for Congress to initiate laws allowing parents and guardians the right to protect minors from pornography and indecent internet material. Melissa has actively pushed for changes in public policy in Texas and Arkansas, spent time on Capitol Hill, and visited personally with many of her local legislators and constituents. She is also the state director for Texas and National Projects Director for the National Decency Coalition.
The National Decency Coalition is an organization dedicated to making America aware of the dangers of pornography and the public health crisis surrounding the use of pornography. They work to pass state and federal resolutions and legislation which will help decrease easy access to pornography in all its forms.
Highlights from this episode:
-At the root of public policy, this is about real people. It is about protecting our children.
-We need to share our stories. We can’t be closed and clinical.
-Getting involved in the legislative process is easier than you think. Start local. Your representatives will be invested in what you are worried about because YOU are the voters, and they want to be re-elected.
-Gather your voices. Create a stir and the government will start to hear your concerns, and they will listen.
-Be willing to get involved beyond public policy. Pornography is a 600 layered blanket–it’s not a 1 layered solution.
Challenge:
3 THINGS YOU CAN DO IN 10 MINUTES TODAY:
1) Find out where your local government stands (For US, look up your state at nationaldecencycoalition.org)
2) Find your local policy makers (For US, Contact Your Elected Officials at usa.gov; For Canada, Find Your Members of Parliament at ourcommons.ca)
3) Send an email. Ask them what happens next. They will call—do not be intimidated. (See sample email that you can cut and paste below.)
AND THEN AFTERWARD: Spread the word. Ask others to do the same. Make it easy. Include links and copy-and-paste content.
Links/Resources:
The Beginner’s Guide to Changing the World: 7 Tips on Creating Legislative Change (article)
Talking Points About Pornography – National Center on Sexual Exploitation
Sample email:
Many other legislative bodies have taken aggressive action, recognizing pornography as a public health crisis, and taking measures to help. But what are we doing in [city/state/territory/province]?
As a proud [Texan, American, Canadian], we are imploring legislators who have taken up honorable positions to uphold the integrity of their office by taking a stand to protect our most vulnerable.
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