Writing Letters to End Global Apartheid!
July 19, 2005
Letter writing is one of the easiest and most effective methods of campaigning for more just U.S. policies toward Africa. It shows decision makers and elected officials that we care enough to sit down, think about the issue and contact them.
Don’t underestimate the power of a handwritten letter - it can have a huge impact! Many decision makers calculate that every handwritten letter they receive represents 100 who support the cause and 1,000 who rate it as very important.
Because letter writing is so easy, it has been perceived by some as boring or just for beginners. Not so! Letter writing is for everyone.
Letter writing Fun
- host a dinner party to educate friends and community members about African issues and then write letters together
- write letters on personal stationery, postcards, greeting or seasonal cards; they are more fun to write and more fun for the decision makers to open
- include news clippings about Africa or Africa Action, especially letters to the editor or opinion pieces from your local newspapers, or even a picture of yourself as a personal touch
- if you practice a regular prayer or religious life, consider writing letters as part of your prayer routine, praying that your words fall on the hearts of our elected officials
- organize a letter writing table at your congregation, campus or community group - Encourage everyone to join in!
When can you write letters?
- write letters in the bath tub
- write letters on the bus or train
- write letters on your lunch break
- pick a sunny cafe on a weekend afternoon to write letters
- curl up with coffee on a rainy afternoon and write letters
- invite friends to a letter writing happy hour at your local pub
- write Ramadan, Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, New Years, Valentines Day, April Fools Day, Easter and Passover cards
- stuck waiting in the doctor’s office, for a class to start, in a grocery store or for a friend? Use the time to write a letter.
Really any place and any time is good to lift your voice and call for social, political and economic justice for Africa. It’s a way to express yourself!
Ways to help get your message across:
- Start by thanking the decision maker for steps taken in the past. This positive feedback should not be underestimated.
- Express two or three points only.
- Be polite and positive wherever possible.
- State what you want the recipient to do.
- Mention your connection to a faith community or and organizational affiliations.
- Let your Member of Congress know if you voted for them (no need to mention if you did not).
- Always include your full name and address.
- Ask for a reply.
- Handwrite your letters whenever possible.
- Read the replies!
- Feel free to respond to their reply. Make sure to share the responses with the Africa Action office.
Who needs to hear from you about Africa?
The President of the United States
The President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Secretary of Treasury (on economic justice issues)
Secretary of the Treasury
US Treasury Department
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220
Secretary of State
Secretary of State
US Department of State
2201 C St.
Washington, DC 20520
United States Trade Representative (on trade and AIDS treatment access and patent issues)
600 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20508
United States of America
Members of Congress
Some Members of Congress are still having a delay in receiving their mail. Consider also sending your letter as a handwritten fax, email or making a phone call to the staff person that works on international issues. Or you can send letters to the district offices and ask that they be passed on to the appropriate Washington staff person.
Representative—
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Senator—
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Visit Africa Action’s Online Legislative Action Center to find out who your Representative or Senator is, get their contact information and directly send messages to them.
International Monetary Fund and World Bank (on economic justice)
Managing Director
International Monetary Fund
700 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
President of the World Bank
World Bank
1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
This piece was adapted from Jubilee USA Network’s Action Packet www.jubileeusa.org.
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