The Journey
What I learned from others is every little thing we do can change the world. We don’t see it all the time.
I had a friend in the Midwest who was so verklempt (consumed with emotion) at the state of our country, that he didn’t know what to do. I said: “Join a local movement. Get involved.” He did and is changing things in his own way or at least trying.
It’s amazing what each of us can do. Not to praise me, because I deserve no praise, but with comrade-in-arms Kelly Farley, we discovered, 14 years ago, that bereaved families got no respite. And I continue the effort with Evermore.
So we started a movement which has been launched-and stalled-for well over a decade. Ok. So maybe a loud-mouthed, quite handsome Jewish PR guy from NY knew the buttons to push and I gave it my best. The fight is not over though.
There is a saying: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” I buy that.
Now I do not agree with any of the ideas from the far right but they got this sh%t down pat. They have created a movement and regardless of how offensive it may be to some, they are getting it right.
Little people can do big things. Stop complaining about the military-industrial complex, the patriarchal establishment, and all the things we need to hold accountable but figure we don’t have a chance.
My generation ended a war in Southeast Asia., honoring those who felt it was their duty to serve and those who felt it was their duty to protest. People were beaten in Chicago, Miami, and many other places but we made a dent.
To be upfront, I disagree with many in the D Party who are trying to make a dent but at least they are out there.
That means we all can try to rise against what we find scary. Even Republicans are raising their voices. To quote Tevye in ‘Fiddler on the Roof,,’ “Some people are driven away by edicts, others by silence,” so in the case of the future of our country, silence is NOT golden.
I had lunch this week with a LI friend who is right of center. But to hear her explain her views, it’s about sanity, not insanity, and while I disagree, it’s not about rhetoric, but a view supported by what they believe in. We had a civil conversation.
Civility is becoming obsolete on both sides. I know Ds who don’t know Rs and vice versa. What a shame.
The next four years will be challenging to say the very least. People who are marginalized are at risk and the rest of us; well, it’s not gonna be pretty.
The journey is never-ending. Give a damn. Be the change.
If we can have a civil and respectful discussion among our peers, why can't our leaders? I see a big gap and I'm not sure how we close it.
Civility on both sides is not becoming obsolete, it is obsolete for more than a small minority. As an independent voter, who admittedly, leans right of center right now, I remind everyone of the words of the great Michael Jackson: "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make the change."
Until we start having honest dialogue with those who think differently than us, we are doomed. When that dialogue happens, it is interesting to find out we often don't disagree on the substance of an issue, but what is the best process to get to an end goal. And, when we compromise on the process, the outcome is always better as rarely is one option completely right and the other wrong.
Until we condemn ALL VIOLENCE, PERIOD, we are doomed. This is NOT a right or left issue.
The discussions need to move out of the social media realm and into the one-on-one interaction realm. Social media allows people to hide from the confrontation their words cause.
And a little self restraint wouldn't hurt along the way.
Not a new view from me, but sense the topic was raised again, I feel obliged to respond again!