March 5th: I participated in an activism training program given by Sara El-Amine today. She is the former National Grassroots Organizing Director at Organizing for Action, President Obama’s grassroots 20-million-person strong movement, and is known as “The Organizer of Organizers”. The program’s goal is to empower individuals to be political action activists in their community. This is miles outside my comfort zone. Some of the tactics I’m not even sure I can bring myself to do, such as door to door campaigning. But there are other ways to participate. I’ve decided it’s no longer ok for me to sit on the sidelines of our democracy with a belief that it will all work out, that others will ensure it works out. We are too divided. I fear for the loss of compassion, empathy, responsibility, hope. I am an optimistic person, but belief alone is not enough and as a citizen of this nation I should be participating. I could even argue it is my obligation to participate.
There is not yet a definable end goal in mind, as is often the case with me, rather I collect my courage and follow where I am led and through that process the end game is revealed. It sounds as if I’m giving up control, but really it’s quite the contrary – it’s an exploration. Small opportunities cross my path and I choose those which seem to make the best sense and those inevitably lead to other opportunities and people and knowledge until before I know it a clear path has been set out before me. The trick is being aware, listening to my intuition, and having a little faith in the process. But still, it’s a little scary, heck it’s major league scary because I am not political. My mind, when it comes to details necessary for an argument, is like a sieve. I’m not a skilled persuader. Issues and candidates are not black and white. I’m afraid of not being able to make my point, or better yet, of sounding like an idiot. But this feels important and so for now, I’m following my intuition.
It helps that I’m not alone. There are many amongst my family and friends who desire the same thing and who are, with the exception of voting, participating for the first time. We started our journey last month meeting to write letters. And together, one step at a time, we’ll move forward. Today’s training was one of those steps.
Courage is easier when there are people to support you along way. There is comfort in working together to achieve a common goal. It is this that I am grateful for today. Without this group my fear might take charge and push me back to the sidelines.
1 comment
I support your courage!