In case you have been living in a cave lately, the season 27 premiere of South Park ricocheted across the internets in late July. The episode skewered Paramount (parent company of both CBS and Comedy Central) and President Donald Trump with the show’s trademark combination of high-brow satire and decidedly low-brow humor. In a nutshell, the show roundly and thoroughly mocked Trump’s tendency to sue when he gets cranky, and the spineless response of so many entities, including the multi-million dollar settlement Paramount paid Trump. You can watch the entire episode- complete with references to Trump’s “teeny-tiny penis” – here.

In a time of rising authoritarianism and fascism (and yes, that’s where we are), it is more necessary than ever for us — all of us — to speak out loudly and clearly. We have a voice, and now is the time to use that voice. We are already seeing a cruel and vindictive regime take aim at enemies (real or imagined) with no regard for the values this country once espoused. And the attacks are beginning where all bullies start: the most marginalized communities. We’re seeing blatantly unconstitutional attacks on undocumented immigrants, the trans community, women’s access to abortion care, and so much more.

When it comes to writers, we are seeing an escalation of attacks on Black, Brown, and LGBTQAI+ authors when it comes to book bans and censorship. The Defense Department attempted to ban nearly 600 books from schools that serve children of military members “as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to censor LGBTQ+ and racial issues from official government materials,” according to Military.com.

That’s unacceptable.

And that’s why it is especially important for people that look like Matt Stone & Trey Parker (the creators of South Park) and me to speak out. You know – us cis, straight, white men. As I wrote about a year ago:

I am under no illusion that Republican elected officials will stop at banning books by Black, Brown, and LGBTQAI+ authors. The goal is to control our lives and restrict our freedoms. And if we give Republicans a pass on banning some books, what is to stop them from banning my books in the future? If Republicans attack the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community to love who they love and marry who they want to marry, what is stopping them from saying my interracial marriage is now illegal? This isn’t about attacking one community — it is an attack on all of our freedoms.

And this:

Being politically engaged can seem like just one more thing, and something that can be pushed to the back burner. But believe me — politics is not a back-burner issue. We are seeing a real threat to authors in our community. We can — and must — stand up for one another.

As creators, we have to use our voice. We must be bold, like South Park, in our righteous criticism. We have to speak out – loudly and urgently – against the attacks we are witness to.

And we should use the tools and skills we have. A resistance needs individuals out front, as well as those in support roles. Writers should write; artists should create; and leaders should lead.

Speaking out can take a variety of forms. Each person should find the path that works for them. but we must choose a path, and walk it. Paths could be any combination of the following:

• Speak out on social media.
• Engage in conversations with friends, family, and others who are reachable.
• Call your elected officials – from local to state legislators to Congresspeople & U.S. Senators – on issues that are important.
• Participate in a march or protest against the horrendous actions of this administration.
• Support Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ authors and creators through purchasing their products and hyping them on social media.
• Use your power with words to write a letter to the editor in your local newspaper.
• Register to vote! Go to www.iwillvote.com to check your registration or to register.
• Keep calling your local, state, and federal elected officials, because your voice matters.
• If you are cis, white, and male like me, listen to folks from communities you are trying to be an ally with and follow their lead. Learn from others and practice being in a support role.
• Be bold in your words and actions.
• Embrace comedy as a way to fight fascism

We should applaud the comedy of South Park. But we should also learn from it. We all have a voice. And we might not have the reach of a national television show, but we each can make a difference. If we don’t use our voice now, you can be damn sure those in power will do all they can to silence us permanently.