“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” Martin Luther King Jr.
I can’t think of a better quote for where we seem to be right now. I keep feeling that things are going to calm down and take a turn in a different direction – one that embraces the notion of commonwealth and kindness. But, not yet. We are still being called upon to speak out in every way possible with the time, energy, creativity and resources available to us. What’s happening is astounding and beautiful and scary – all of these things. In Rebecca Solnit’s recent article from The Guardian she puts it eloquently:
In this moment, populist intervention is everything, not as hate and attack but as an expression of popular will and power. Or as love, since we defend what we love. It is an extraordinary moment, an all-hands-on-deck emergency in which new groups and coalitions are emerging along with unforeseen capacities in many people who didn’t previously think they were activists. It is saturated with possibility, as well as with danger.
Solnit goes on to cite some of the amazing things that have happened and are happening. Like a Latino-Muslim alliance in southern CA setting up Taco Trucks at Mosques during Ramadan…like Danica Roem, a transgender journalist who won a Democratic primary in Virginia…like the astounding level of civic and electoral engagement with people crossing boundaries of party, class, race, gender, sexual orientation and any other line that divides us – to speak out about things that matter.
Taking action is the best cure for despair….[and] it’s the residents of the United States whose response will matter most in the end.
Civil society awoken and arisen is a power adequate to counter the power of an increasingly isolated, confused, frightened and bumbling administration.
People like to predict the future, often a dismal future, but the future is not written. It is ours to write. In this moment of utter turmoil, civil society must be the counter to a rogue administration, one whose victory is a surprise equaled by its myriad defeats ever since.
So, my friends, take action. It’s easy to do. You will feel better having done something and it’s the only thing that will change the course. Look what just happened with the Senate vote on Healthcare – now “set” for after the July 4th recess – because of our voices. Let’s keep it up over the holiday – actually, let’s get louder!
Ideas • Information •Action
Healthcare
- FCNL – Protect Healthcare for All – point by point, simple information.
- TrumpCareTen from Indivisible – great resource and toolkit for action.
Sister District announces new races to support. Check out all of the 2017 Sister Races!
Remember Tony the Democrat? He’s back! This time with a request for handwritten postcards in support of Karen Gaddis from Oklahoma’s 75th District. To get addresses you can either email Postcards@TonyTheDemocrat.org OR you can simply text OK to 918-992-4434 and Abby the Address Bot will send you addresses! Check out Karen’s website and remember the special election is on July 11th.
#BlackLivesMatter – Check out the action for criminal justice reform from Wall of Us/Say Their Names.
Hope is Evident
And finally,
I don’t remember the first time I came across this poem by Rumi but it has become a friend over the years. I keep returning to it and, each time I do, a different line pops out at me. Perhaps you are already familiar with these words – if so, enjoy revisiting them and if not enjoy this new arrival.
The Guest House – by Rumi, translation by Colman Barks
This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still,treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice. Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in. Be grateful for whatever comes. Because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
Speaking Truth To Power 