It takes energy to stay informed. The world seems smaller or at least closer now and my younger self-was so wrong about the need to advocate soon to be unnecessary.
At age 17, I actually thought all the important fights had been fought: that advocacy for causes on the side of good & right were no longer necessary. An eighteen-year-old could now vote. There was an end in sight for Vietnam War. The Civil Rights struggles would now be history lessons. Even at 28, I was still in the shallows. Iran Contra seemed 'nothing' compared to Vietnam. I had just served two years in VISTA but failed to connect the dots between the Criminal Justice System I found broken and the failed of Civil Rights Activism and Acts. At 33 I became a community leader by title; a full calendar with tasks and topics: reproductive rights, recycling, voter engagement as President of the League of Women Voters of New Haven. I got swallowed up in the consensus agendas for several years. I did not stay a member after this immersion. I needed to retreat. I did however find another nonpartisan venue: Community TV.
My shallows
Was I a victim of my shallows, my education and media choices? Did I measured the value of the revolts by the numbers of participants I observed as reported on TV? Was broadcast news a real window on the world? The Vietnam war was piped into our homes daily. How did it really deepen my understanding of the world or the why of it. Ironically I read Gloria Steinem My Life on the Road to discover so much context for my life. It was a gift and is truly that.
Today I can stand with those saluting the American flag and taking a knee during the Anthem. While I enable free speech in my daily pursuits, I can not stand with anyone who condemns civil protests.
Was I a victim of my shallows, my education and media choices? Did I measured the value of the revolts by the numbers of participants I observed as reported on TV? Was broadcast news a real window on the world? The Vietnam war was piped into our homes daily. How did it really deepen my understanding of the world or the why of it. Ironically I read Gloria Steinem My Life on the Road to discover so much context for my life. It was a gift and is truly that.
Today I can stand with those saluting the American flag and taking a knee during the Anthem. While I enable free speech in my daily pursuits, I can not stand with anyone who condemns civil protests.
Much in the world will continue to need advocacy, including Mother Earth herself. Symbols and words have power. Choose wisely.
