Each of us is needed. Ask yourself, "What can I do
to support democracy today?"
Right now, in today’s daily threats to our democracy, there is the potential of a silver lining, if enough of us embrace it. Because these events are serving as a wake-up call and reminder that ... if we want the freedom and opportunities of democracy ... then we need to see them, value them, and act to protect them. Especially now, when the very core of democracy is at risk.
Why Democracy Matters in Our Everyday Lives
Too often, if people are taught about democracy at all in this country … perhaps in a Civics class (how common are those now?) … it is likely in the voice of the Passive Past. "This Important Person did this on this date; memorize it for the test." The information is presented as if it were preordained that this Important Person would do such things. As if all that mattered was memorizing it. As if it had nothing to do with what we might experience and do today.
But people who've experienced dictatorship see democracy quite differently ... as a living breathing rescue from tyranny of the mind, body, life, and livelihood. They know what it means when you don't have rights over your own body and life, over what happens in your community. They know the death, horror, and despair that predictably follows.
However, too often in this country we citizens are disconnected from this visceral threat of dictatorship, and instead allow passivity and cynicism to rule our relationship to our government. We see our government as "them," some thing out there … without noticing that we need some kind of structure to manage our culture's shared needs, and this was created to give us a voice in that function. It is a protection for us against decisions being made without our rights being respected.
Instead, too often, both citizens and the media treat politics as just another optional entertainment option ... as folks sit on the sidelines, mock and cheer and complain, treat elections as a horse race, eat figurative popcorn, then turn the channel.
But, as former Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan said,
"The stakes ... are too high for government to be a spectator sport."
(Source: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1265535)
Every day we see the very real impacts on real people when
greedy elite interests forgo the ideal of public service and instead use our
government for their profit at our expense. Meanwhile, the real things that we
need from our government are sacrificed … in our personal lives, community
relationships ... and the survival of our sacred beautiful earthly home.
Opportunities In Today's Crises
So I invite us to see three key opportunities in this current crisis for us as citizens:
(1) See that the government is OUR government. It was created by us and for us by ancestors who worked, fought, and died so that we could have a voice in what that structure decides about every aspect of our lives. It’s something for US that is being threatened, not something out there.
(2) See that our government impacts every part of our lives. We are impacted by what it does and doesn't do. This includes what jobs, housing, and services are available … what our communities look like … how we address shared issues … and whether we live our days in fear and desperation, or freedom and peace.
(3) Step (even more) into our roles as sovereign citizens, reclaim our power together, and encourage others to do the same. Whatever we’re doing now, more of our action is needed. Let’s follow in the footsteps of those who came before us, and protect and improve what was given us, so that it can continue and not be taken from us in the night.
At this time, there is no neutral act. If we retreat from participating, we are only handing our power over to others who do participate. We are passively giving our consent to the harm that is happening ... and to come. And there is no safe place to hide from the harm that can happen if we allow them to take our right to have a voice.
And, yes, our democracy is imperfect ... partially because of people's low participation. We are learning from this so clearly that we need to watchdog the process, to keep away the jackals, and be sure that our interests come first. We need to be in the ring.
What Can We Do?
Thankfully, there are many good people and groups in this country who care about the survival of our democracy. They just need our numbers standing with them.
And the history and lineage of our long democracy can help us in standing up for ourselves. We don't have to try to create them scratch in the darkness of desperate survival, as so many before us did.
There is so much that we can do to help. And it doesn't have to be difficult or take a lot of time. It can fit with other things we're doing in our lives, such as teaching our children. It can allow us to do activities we love, that feed our lives, that we want more of. It can be a chance for us to express our unique gifts and be seen for them.
And it can be empowering and exciting, to stand up for things that matter! To brush aside the coating of quiet despair and feel the thrill of democracy that stirred so many before us.
It's essential that we find the thrill of that now, while we still have a democracy to protect. There are real threats to it right now. No one can rescue us but us.
(1) Ask yourself, "What can I do to support democracy today?" Each of us is needed!
(2) There are many answers to that question. To find yours’:
* Identify your top issue(s) of concern. What do you most want to impact? What do you consider most mission-critical to address right now?
* Consider how you want to participate. How much time or money? Alone or with others? Part of a structure or using your own creativity?
* Look for groups working on your issues, and find ones that you might want to support. Send them money, get on their email list, look at what actions they recommend.
* Be inspired by your own unique gifts and insights.
(3) BOOK: If you want an inspiring book to read and share, consider What Unites Us, by Dan Rather. Its subtitle is “Reflections on Patriotism.” In it, he tells stories that remind us of the nonpartisan principles of democracy and our path to keep seeking “a more perfect union.” He also speaks in nonpartisan ways that help this be engaging to folks across the political spectrum ... yes, including that relative still clicking the Red boxes!
(4) This blog is a resource for you in finding fruitful ways to participate. In it you'll find ideas, resources, encouragement, and inspiration. I invite you to explore my other posts, and sign up on the email list.
For instance, you might enjoy reading my next post in this thread, Our Times Are Training Us in Democracy. We can use the events of our time to empower our understanding and skills as citizens.
And I welcome your questions, thoughts, issues, and ideas for this blog.
This is my offering to the collective task. I hope it's useful. And I look forward to seeing yours'!
Opportunities In Today's Crises
So I invite us to see three key opportunities in this current crisis for us as citizens:
(1) See that the government is OUR government. It was created by us and for us by ancestors who worked, fought, and died so that we could have a voice in what that structure decides about every aspect of our lives. It’s something for US that is being threatened, not something out there.
(2) See that our government impacts every part of our lives. We are impacted by what it does and doesn't do. This includes what jobs, housing, and services are available … what our communities look like … how we address shared issues … and whether we live our days in fear and desperation, or freedom and peace.
(3) Step (even more) into our roles as sovereign citizens, reclaim our power together, and encourage others to do the same. Whatever we’re doing now, more of our action is needed. Let’s follow in the footsteps of those who came before us, and protect and improve what was given us, so that it can continue and not be taken from us in the night.
At this time, there is no neutral act. If we retreat from participating, we are only handing our power over to others who do participate. We are passively giving our consent to the harm that is happening ... and to come. And there is no safe place to hide from the harm that can happen if we allow them to take our right to have a voice.
And, yes, our democracy is imperfect ... partially because of people's low participation. We are learning from this so clearly that we need to watchdog the process, to keep away the jackals, and be sure that our interests come first. We need to be in the ring.
What Can We Do?
Thankfully, there are many good people and groups in this country who care about the survival of our democracy. They just need our numbers standing with them.
And the history and lineage of our long democracy can help us in standing up for ourselves. We don't have to try to create them scratch in the darkness of desperate survival, as so many before us did.
There is so much that we can do to help. And it doesn't have to be difficult or take a lot of time. It can fit with other things we're doing in our lives, such as teaching our children. It can allow us to do activities we love, that feed our lives, that we want more of. It can be a chance for us to express our unique gifts and be seen for them.
And it can be empowering and exciting, to stand up for things that matter! To brush aside the coating of quiet despair and feel the thrill of democracy that stirred so many before us.
It's essential that we find the thrill of that now, while we still have a democracy to protect. There are real threats to it right now. No one can rescue us but us.
(1) Ask yourself, "What can I do to support democracy today?" Each of us is needed!
(2) There are many answers to that question. To find yours’:
* Identify your top issue(s) of concern. What do you most want to impact? What do you consider most mission-critical to address right now?
* Consider how you want to participate. How much time or money? Alone or with others? Part of a structure or using your own creativity?
* Look for groups working on your issues, and find ones that you might want to support. Send them money, get on their email list, look at what actions they recommend.
* Be inspired by your own unique gifts and insights.
(3) BOOK: If you want an inspiring book to read and share, consider What Unites Us, by Dan Rather. Its subtitle is “Reflections on Patriotism.” In it, he tells stories that remind us of the nonpartisan principles of democracy and our path to keep seeking “a more perfect union.” He also speaks in nonpartisan ways that help this be engaging to folks across the political spectrum ... yes, including that relative still clicking the Red boxes!
(4) This blog is a resource for you in finding fruitful ways to participate. In it you'll find ideas, resources, encouragement, and inspiration. I invite you to explore my other posts, and sign up on the email list.
For instance, you might enjoy reading my next post in this thread, Our Times Are Training Us in Democracy. We can use the events of our time to empower our understanding and skills as citizens.
And I welcome your questions, thoughts, issues, and ideas for this blog.
This is my offering to the collective task. I hope it's useful. And I look forward to seeing yours'!
~ In service,
Patricia Dines
Blog content (c) Copyright Patricia Dines, 2019. All rights reserved. Links are encouraged! My content is also available for reprint. Please don't copy and paste this content without permission. Thanks!
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