Time to Gather

We have the right to question authority. One of the popular buttons worn by punk rockers in the 1980’s was Question Authority. This idea was the foundation of my political activism as a young person. After some time, the buttons fell off my vest, my hair grew longer and I abandoned the weekly DIY haircuts and dye jobs to allow my hair to regain its natural color (with foils and highlights of course; I am not a monster!). My  activism became more mainstream, realizing wearing buttons and just being loud wasn’t enough. I had to get in the system to change it. I worked for organizations that protested nuclear energy, all wars including Operation Desert Storm, and Ronald Reagan, to name a few. Together with so many other young people we took action and felt empowered. This time around, we cannot leave it to the young people. We need all of us. 

In the past month I felt cautiously optimistic. The polls looked good, my social media feed (which of course is designed directly for me using algorithms) was pro-Harris and most certainly anti-facist, anti-Trump. For months I posted and reposted some of the ugly realities I saw, hoping I could change a few minds, believing that if people saw the Republican candidate performing sexual acts on a microphone, they would think him not worthy for the office, not the “family” man they thought he was. That is only one example. If you would like the long list let me know! I wrote hundreds of postcards, did phone banking and hosted signs on my lawn. Could I have done more? Likely. Would it have mattered? I have no idea. But the American people have spoken, and now I am a member of the shell-shocked minority, searching in this darkness for some light.

We know that there are two Americas. The election results made that quite clear. The Trump campaign used the tried and true powerful tools of fear, hatred and division to garner support. They won almost everything in the house and senate races (some races still not officially called), they won the electoral college and the popular vote, and already have the allegiance of the Supreme Court. While this is devastating on many levels, we must double down on our belief in the dream of America and work for it. This country was built by immigrants, our families, and we can rebuild. There is certainly time to be saddened by the results of this election. I never thought he could win. I thought it would be a very close race and that he would contest the results until he went to prison. But, no, not the case.  I am still shocked by it all.

It is time to muster up as much joy and hope as we can to survive this storm; it's joybully time! For a brief time, perhaps survival is all you are capable of, but sooner than later we must work to protect our ideals. But how?  I have no answer. I am still treading water, searching for the light switch, spinning. But I do know whatever work is done, it cannot be done in isolation. We may be in the minority, but we can feel the power  of being united in our cause. 

I am not alone and neither are you. 

We can do little things together. 

Here are a few ideas: 

• Gather together often and take care of yourself. Take time to feel rested and good. You do not have to work or be productive every minute. Pause.

• Gather again.

• Engage in art

• Do not engage in useless discussions with folks who are aggressive and will never change their minds. They saw what we saw and still voted for all of it. Save your energy for yourself and your village. 

• Always be civil in disagreements. “They go low, we go high”,  is still valid advice, at least for the health of your heart and soul.

• Do not allow racism, or any “ism” a pass because it comes in the form of a joke. A simple, “I don’t find that funny” is enough. Keep your cool, but defend your values.

• Walk away from toxic aggression in any and all of its forms 

• Be prepared to be allies to the many folks whose lifestyle choices, skin color, gender identity, origin, religion and basic freedoms will come into question. 

• Respect pronoun choices loudly and proudly. 

• Speak up. It is your right. Participate  in local politics. You do not have to do this alone

• Use podcasts to stay informed: Pod Save America and The Bulwark are good ones, just  to name a few 

• Volunteer to support your causes- 1 or 2 hours, whatever you can do. Doing something purposeful with other like minded people will give you hope, or at the very least, an opportunity to hang out with your “tribe”.  

• If you don't have time or the inclination for volunteer work, dedicate a few dollars to organizations doing important work, Southern Poverty Law Center is one example…there are many

• Follow the ACLU, become a member if you can. Their sole mission is to protect the constitutional rights of all people…and they are going to be very BUSY! 

“The mission of the ACLU is to protect civil liberties and civil rights, advance equity, justice, and freedom, and dismantle systems rooted in oppression and discrimination”.

I hope to revisit this list, right now it seems a little too long for my spirit, but I know that will change. Currently, I am involved in political issues locally. 

In my small town now, we are divided on many topics. These discussions can become heated and unproductive. Once personal accusations and name calling occur, the discussion becomes more about power than the issue at hand. I have an opinion against our town’s plan to build one large elementary school. I am in the minority. After years of mismanagement and muddled communications, many of the town boards have united in support of one large school. They need this unification to prove to the state that they represent the will of the majority and that they are prepared to build. I have friends who are in support of the town’s decision, and I know they are good people who want the best for the town’s children. We just disagree on what the best is, and we both have that right. I still have a vote at our  Town meeting. I still have a right to speak out against the general consensus.  By going against the mass consensus I am exercising my civic duty. I am  not trying to create problems, as some social media posts claim.

I mention this because just this morning one citizen was questioning a decision made by a town board and she was attacked on social media. She was accused of spreading lies with her questions and concerns.  That is not the America I believe in.

Questioning authority is American and I intend to speak out freely on any issue that I feel strongly about. You should too! Don’t be intimidated by authority or what the masses think. 

I doubt I can find my Question Authority button. It is unlikely that I will shave the long gray hair off my head or put safety pins through my ears. But the rumble of dissent and action is returning, slowly. Take your time and find the issues you're passionate about, and look for the others. They are already looking for you.