All Hands on Deck

These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; it would be strange indeed if so celestial article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.

Tomas Paine from Common Sense

Today I am feeling a flicker of pride in America. Not in our government, but in the people. I’m proud of the creativity of the people in Portland who came to ICE raids dressed as cartoon characters to deflect the image that those at the top would like to portray, proud of the Minnesotans who march down the streets singing so that the people who are afraid to come out of their homes know their neighbors have their back. I’m proud of Alex Pretti who said during a service for one of his veteran patients, “Today we remember that freedom is not free, we have to work for it, nurture it, protect it, and even sacrifice for it.” I’m proud of my community who have sustained peaceful efforts and spoke out about the injustices early on.

Last night I attended my local democratic meeting along with other neighbors. The last time I joined this group’s meeting there were only about 10 people in attendance, this time there were 72. We met with our congressman to hold his feet to the fire. Intelligent questions were asked, and, like Portland Oregon and Minneapolis, the spirit of non-violent activism was strong. I walked away from the meeting feeling uplifted and empowered. Rather than making the situation more depressing, getting together with other community members to talk about what is happening in America was invigorating. No culture is perfect, each has its strengths and weaknesses. It turns out, one of the strengths of the American culture is its creativity and it is being used to good effect.

We are living in challenging times. Sitting on the sidelines is a vote for the dystopian future being presented to us by those who would have us believe we have no power. But we are powerful. There are so many ways to use our power- ACLU, Indivisible, Move On, and local community meetings abound! Writing letters, supporting local businesses, using art to speak up, sending money, taking to the streets with non-violence and love for our neighbors, boycotting corporations that support authoritarianism, writing, speaking, painting, dancing! Don’t let the dark forces draw you into yourself out of fear and hopelessness or wait for someone else to make things right. I can say from recent experience that the sense of powerlessness is diminished by joining with neighbors to protect one another. Rather than amplify the hate and powerlessness we are being sold from the top we have the opportunity to tap into our own native goodness, join with our communities and bring our unique talents to their full flowering. We are all important and our connection with others is our super powerful.