“Let’s Get Together and Act”

In the last elections I was involved in the campaign of a new, small political party. Being active, and around other people who were active and hopeful, had a tremendous, positive effect on me. Although we (this party and the entire political left) did not win, I was not discouraged.

Here are four things we can do:

  1. Be active. Claim the important role of opposition, both in parliament and on the streets, and get to work. Not winning the elections does not equal having no influence on the political game. In parliament, the opposition plays a significant role in the legislation process and in supervising the government. The “people” can organize to make sure that our opinions and goals are heard loud and clear and can build partnerships against the efforts to divide us. We are good at that.
  2. Become aware of the realities (of politics and daily lives) in other countries. Local news is focused on local politics and the politics of the United States. The rest of the world is brought to us, if at all, through a very limited perspective. This confuses us into feeling like the loss of the elections is a personal or local failure, while it’s actually a part of global processes and the collapse of society. Expanding the perspective contradicts internalized oppression and victim distress (“this is the worst place, with the hardest people”) and oppressor distress (being ignorant and self-centered). Learning about modes of action and victories achieved elsewhere provides knowledge and hope and pushes us toward unity.
  3. Build alliances, friendships, and connections with people who do not share our background or political opinion. In the heat of the elections, things are much about “winning people over” [getting people to agree with us], which is not a solid base for connection. Now is the time to build connections and engage others in doing it. Offering ourselves—inside and outside of Co-Counseling, in any way and as much as is sensible in our life circumstances—will enable us to offer our tools and perspectives.
  4. Discharge, discharge, discharge (a quote from Barbara Love, the International Liberation Reference Person for African Heritage People). Challenge ourselves in sessions to look at the hard stuff, to break the limits that were placed on our knowledge, to challenge our own oppressor patterns. I’ve noticed that I need to decide over and over again, and discharge, to be able to gather and remember information about money, politics, the economy, the environment, sexism, and the realities of other people (mostly people of color)—basically anything that might break my heart or make me feel guilty. It is a slow process, but so worth the effort!

As things are falling apart, new things are emerging. Let’s get together and act.

“X”

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Last modified: 2019-10-17 01:40:36+00