But there are still a whole lot more forks in the road to meet this challenge in the days ahead.
When we had Lou Dubose on to discuss his and Molly Ivins’ last book together, the book salon’s focus was the discussion of all of the information the two of them had been able to dig out and expose through the years. But the most amazing thing by far was Molly’s commitment to give a speech a month on the First Amendment, for years and years of her life, often in little out-of-the-way places so hostile, the meetings had to take place in the middle of the night in someone’s basement. That takes some serious guts — and a lot of heart.
The Nation and Brave New Films have joined together to produce a series of conversations on activism, the choices we make — and the power that we could all have if we lift up our voices for change. This prior post has information about the series and earlier clips from the series — they are amazing, so do watch them if you haven’t yet. The next installment of This Brave Nation has been released, and it is well worth your time to watch it:
Bonnie Raitt is a legendary musician, feminist, and activist. Dolores Huerta is a legendary organizer, feminist, and activist. Both women have achieved great successes in their fields. While one was marching on the streets for migrant laborers, the other was headlining concerts bringing attention to the risks of nuclear energy and global warming. They’re two distinctly different women who came from radically different backgrounds, but both chose to spend their lives trying to make the world a better place. In this conversation, Raitt and Huerta talk about their passions, regrets, fears, and most of all their dreams for future generations.
Each of us has issues about which we are passionate. Imagine, for a moment, what we could do if we all worked together to solve the problems we face, to heal the divisions we feel, to lift up those of us who need a hand so that they, in turn, could lift up the folks behind them…just imagine it. And then, go out and find a way to do it.
Choose to act.
And if you need some inspiration on things you can act on today, here are a few ideas:
– Make some calls to members of Congress about FISA. bmaz helpfully put together some background information for everyone. The rule of law needs your voice. Today.
– Get involved in actions to combat the increasingly desperate issues of poverty. See if there is an action near you scheduled for July 17th — or how you can help get one going. Donate to your local food bank or shelter. Talk to people you know about issues surrounding poverty — get involved with initiatives near you — and talk with folks about what their choices in November could mean for those who most need a hand.
– Get involved with the One campaign. Or any number of other groups helping combat global hunger, AIDS, and any number of other issues.
– Volunteer for a local political campaign. Just show up at a campaign office and offer to make calls, canvass, whatever is needed. Local candidates make decisions which impact your daily life immediately — having better folks on your school board, on your city council and elsewhere can make a huge difference for your community. And it also is a great training ground for better candidates for national office.
– Find a local program that needs volunteers and be one: literacy programs, Habitat for Humanity building, battered women’s shelters or missions or food banks or…whatever your pet issue might be, there is likely a group in your community who could desperately use a little bit of your time to make it better.
Related posts:
Spotlight
Support this site!
Subscribe to the newsletter
Advertise on Firedoglake
Send
us your tips
Make us your homepage
About Firedoglake
Advanced search
Christy!
Ctuttle, you delayed me with your Dobbs story!
Hi Christy.
Busy day. Ups and downs, nothing in the middle.
Hope you’re doing o.k. (((Redd)))
Hey all — whew, it’s hot here this afternoon. The Peanut is home from preschool, the doggies have had their afternoon walk, and I’m settled back in with the post-it notes and 134 pages of law wonkery. How is everyone else?
Can’t wait to hear what you come up with…
What an inspiring post, CHS. I love the concrete suggestions and will follow up. I have been overwhelmed with the feeling that we are living in a time of testing whether we continue to choose freedom and true democracy.
Also, the foodbanks really need help. The price increases and gas prices have really hit hard. Our local food bank (SF Food Bank) no longer buys eggs, a key source of protein, because of rising costs.
Here’s a rich example of action. “Is that noble? Is that ethics? Is that democracy?”
I know you are referring to us, here, Christy, but I find Dr. Kurukchi so inspiring. And the writers/researchers on this story (one from the U.S., one Iraqi) are sacrificing and risking so much to get the truth out.
well.. here’s a reason for activism: a mere 5/9th of the supreme court still believes that the constitution is legally valid.. as indicated in their ruling today on shrub’s Gitmo lettres de cachet: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/12/scotus/index.html
Which means we’re one justice short of being.. well, sans rule of law. In other words, if McShrub wins and just one member of the five retires in the next eight years, we’re, well, Zimbabwe.
I had the pleasure of meeting Molly Ivans at democracyFest 2005 and there is a picture of us together on my FB page…..
My first view of Molly was sitting on the edge of the dais in front of one of those 3 foot turbo fans in the humid hot Texas July heat…. she was flipping her hair in the fan breeze to cool herself….. A woman to fought for our country up to her death…. it was such a privilege….
So you’re in for a happy afternoon!
Thank you for these excellent ideas on how we can refocus our energy. Need to take a step back now and then to consider how we are spending our time. There is so much need out there, so much we can do to help.
Much underrated, but very important, is when there is no local group dealing with the issue you feel matters, then as Christy says, YOU do something. Start your own group. Post a few flyers announcing a meeting at your house, draw in some like-minded folks, and you’re off to a good start.
We were in Oberlin today. Yes, THE Oberlin in OH. Seat of weekly mini-demonstrations and other fine things. Since we were at a gathering of folk who had been very busy all day, noses to the grindstone on a cooperative project, and celebrating a milestone, I knew no one had had time to see the news. So I casually (well, makes a good story but no, burbleylike is more like it), asked a nice fellow I knew as thoughtful activist if he had heard what SCOTUS did today. No? Heh. He didn’t quite tip over in shock, but he had a hard time putting his jaw back on its hinges.
I also spread the news, hot off the FDL and KOS toobz, to a bunch of friends and politically connected workerbees. The latter are the most fun. They pride themselves on being aware and in leadership roles associated with everything political. They don’t quite know what to do when a gray-haired senior passes them a scoop before they’ve even had their morning cuppa.
Now that’s fun and sorta productive. Gets those good minds out there perking along right smartly in a dad-gum hurry! ;->
Christy,
Thanks for the post.
One of the best ways to get involved is to share a personal narrative regarding a true experience which caused one’s awakening on an issue/concern.
I was the keynote speaker for an event in college. Shared a personal experience. Evidently it was quite motivational. When i finished my speech and looked out into the crowd, men and women were in tears. My class turned around and sunk $25,000 in donations raised from my graduating class to install equipment on my college campus to address the problem. Many were “saved” from harm for years to come.
BTW, any more updates on FISA? More calls needed today?
I’m also thinking about rolling out the “You Work For Us Summer Tour” again. Seems to me there are far too many issues on which we’d all like to see more action, and in an election year, this might be a good time to push for them while we have voting leverage with a number of folks.
What do you guys think? Would y’all be up for some more meetings with Congress folks and staffers and some other action this summer?
Heh. My husband broke the news to me today re SCOTUS. Same reaction from me for two reasons. One, the headline itself, and two, that he told me not vice versa. haha.
I’m glad someone invited me to check out FDL so many moons ago. It has really taught me about vigilance!
Don’t have an update other than what’s in the post — that more calls are appreciated. Nothing new to report on where negotiations may or may not be, though. But I’ve got a number of calls and e-mails out — if I hear anything, you guys will be the first to know…
Amazing video.
Not exactly on topic, but what may need calls right now is the extension of unemployment benefits. Passed the house, but different from the cSenate’s. This is desperately needed by the tens of thousands of folks being laid off.
This is so great, klynn.
As another example, did you happen to see Stephen Colbert’s interview with Alan Rabinowitz who works to save big cats (tigers,lions, etc.) When asked how he got involved, it said it was because as a kid he used to stutter. One of the ways to overcome stuttering is either to sing, or to talk to animals. He promised animals that if he ever overcame his stuttering, he would become their voice. And that’s what he did.
You could tell Colbert wasn’t expecting that at all and the whole audience erupted in applause. AR has been pretty effective too. quite a story.
Isn’t it great? Watched it this morning and absolutely loved it. Do check out the prior one with Majora Carter and Pete Seeger, too — it’s a hoot. It’s linked at “This prior post” above…
Will check it out.
Bonnie Raitt is one of my favorite singers, but I had no idea of her level of involvement.
And Dolores Huerta–wow. Staggering what she’s done with her life.
I know — I was watching the conversation between the two of them and thinking about that line from Meaning of Life: “Kind of makes you feel insignificant, doesn’t it?” *g*
More along the lines you’re seeking, we’re so busy getting ready to move that most of the activism is the usual: trying to find “good useful homes” for every bit of recyclable stuff we must part with.
Our garbage “pile” out for disposal remains miniscule, because we make sure paper, cardboard, batteries, ink cartridges, oil, metal items, glass yadda yadda go by the most direct route we can find to where they need to.
Beyond that, anything and everything useful is recycled in a much more productive way: clean used clothing, gardening equipment, toys, good usable notebook paper & files and file boxes and music and books, cooking equipment, items we no longer need for animal care. You name it, we try to find a needy home for it. Charities, food banks, libraries in the inner city that have dismal, discouraging budget limitations (that was our son’s idea – he passes some pretty sad sights regularly on his way to work, and sensed a need – not bad thinking; most people don’t even look to the side as they drive along)…
Especially now, after what dumbya’s unleashed on the world in so many awful ways, it’s worth the extra time and effort to have tiered recycling, depending upon how much use someone else could get out of what is now our excess. So we’re trying to organize our move early, so we can take the time. Even while we yammer at our politicians, we still can catch some of the immediate needs that fall through what used to be a safety net…
O’Really and Kucinich square off… ;-)
Here in KC, the big community food bank is Harvesters, and they are noting a painful confluence of circumstances:
Big increases planned for next year’s purchases, and immediate problems for the present. Ouch!
They also have something on their website that I haven’t seen before at other food bank sites. In addition to the usual “send your checks to this address” or “drop off donations at these locations,” they have a virtual food drive, where you can purchase a case of peanut butter (or whatever you’d like to donate) and have it dealt with directly.
The KC Star had a story on Harvesters last Monday, noting that with schools closed for the summer, a lot of kids are scrambling to find the free/reduced cost meal they used to get at school. “Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation.”
btw, I always find stuff like this incredibly inspirational. But I’m never sure if it’s just me being sappy — or if everyone else finds it inspirational as well. Sometimes, I get frustrated and stuff like this helps me not only recharge my batteries, but also inspires me to do more.
Do you guys find this sort of thing helpful and/or interesting? Or not? I can never tell from comments, because they tend to trickle in as folks watch the video…but they are generally positive ones, so I’m never quite sure. Just trying to gauge on this sort of thing…whether I’m catering to an audience of me or a broader one with this.
Dolores and Cesar were always inspirational. Can’t even remember how many years we went without grapes and lettuce. Just remember that it was a long as they asked.
That’s a huge problem for kids in poor families, Peterr — and one that folks who haven’t dealt with abuse and neglect cases or with family counseling rarely see. Because families that are dealing with hunger don’t exactly go around talking about the fact that their kids haven’t had a full meal in three days or anything. At least not for the most part.
The government surplus portion of things has also gone down because of shortages of grains and other commodities, so it really is the perfect storm of a difficult economy, high transportation costs, rising prices, and fewer donations because folks have less to be able to give. Every little bit helps these days…and I mean every little bit, at least that’s true here anyway.
well.. perhaps the deciderer could simply issue a signing statement ordering all those kids not to need food until the Fall semester starts up again.
Action Idea — email SitWolfie and tell him when he teases about a report on Congress critters not endorsing their party’s candidate it is wrong, wrong, wrong as in misleading, deceptive to mention Obama and imply that everybody’s cozy with McCain.
Enough of letting these media twits get by with their same ol’ same ol….
Well, just my two cents: I like the inspiration. Don’t worry, Christy, you’re on safe territory since most Americans love an underdog story, love hearing about someone reaching their potential against the odds etc.
I often feel inadequate to the task, so being able to make phone calls, inform myself, make a small difference in some way, is great. And coming here to know I’m not alone is also really important. I live in a really conservative area, grew up in a really GOP family, so I really appreciate the patriotic encouragement I get from the Lake.
I read the other day that the governments mandated food reserves for the nation are so far down that it boils down to half a loaf of bread for every US citizen!
OT. Who said
1. Bart Simpson?
2. Homer Simpson?
3. Abraham Simpson? or
4. David Ignatius?
Peterr, it’s encouraging that an increase in budget was approved…our foodbank had to stop buying eggs because they are now too expensive.
OTOH, just an idea for folks here, we have a local church that runs a “food closet” for local families in need. They have to register with the parish in order to receive the aid, but other parishioners who live in much better circumstances donate whatever they can to the food closet. So those smaller donations go directly into the community.
Not to worry. All the Congress people will be well fed so they can continue their good work.
/s
Yeah! I was just reading The Hill which stated 14 R congresscritters will not endorse McCain or whatever. Many others aren’t saying publicly one way or another…
Read that this morning – fascinating. Looks like some folks are breaking Reagan’s 11th commandment. It’s swell.
Exactly what I saw as well, which is why Sit! Wolfie’s hype-tease sounded so Foxy.
True here too . . . and there are more than a few poor families who don’t look it when you see them around town. They were hanging on by a thread before, and the rise of food and energy costs on the expense side plus reduced hours at the job (if not outright layoffs) on the income side has shoved them over the edge. But no one likes to look desperate, especially in front of the kids and the neighbors . . .
Support your local food bank — you may not know it, but you’ve got a family down the street from you who needs your help.
It’s not going to get any better
From a report in April – Unusual Spring Cold Snap Damages NorCal Crops
Video
Harvesters runs kind of like a wholesaler for lots of area food pantries. They use their size to get great purchasing power, and pass the savings on to the local churches, community groups, and others who come to them for the actual food and who handle the actual distribution. Of all the places I’ve lived, it’s the best regional service provider I’ve seen for this kind of work.
That sounds a lot like how our SF Food Bank works, though I can’t really speak for them…they do get fed aid and large corp donations.
But the local pantries are a great place for individuals so moved to donate whatever they can…
If anyone reading is LDS/Mormon, the church also has a great program for food for members. We have some Mormons in our family who went through a rough patch a few years ago when one of them got “downsized,” and the church food bank was wonderful for helping them out until they got back on their feet.
I know just about every church group here has a food pantry for their membership. And we also have a local mission that runs a soup kitchen to feed folks in need as well that is always riding that ragged edge of financial disaster. We chip in for them when we can and they always know down to the penny where the money is going to go before we’ve finished writing out the check. I think most charitable groups are feeling that pinch these days…
Thanks, that’s good to know! Appreciate the feedback…
Christy – we are growing for our local food bank.
Also – I just had this really weird flash about SCOTUS – that there is actually TWO Supreme Courts now…one for the Goopers…and one for the rest of us.
Christy…great post. And let’s not forget our animal friends during these tough times. This http://www.animalcenter.org/ is an amazing organization in San Diego that is focused on retraining folks running shelters to “market” their animals and eliminate the need for euthanasia as a “solution”. The President, Michael Arms, is phenomenal and will come to any shelter, anywhere to assess and train their personnel. If this hits a nerve with you…contact them…they are incredible!!!
I do. Thanks
5 justices who believe that the Constitution remains in force and that this country is still subject to the rule of law. 4 imperial functionaries.
Call me naive, but I truly did not know that SCOTUS votes along party lines like Congress. I thought the law had something to do with how they vote. silly me.
Home Canning Basics Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeSQmYK8uE4
———-
P.S. How come there’s no “New Thread” thingy anymore? Screws up the server?
Nuevo Threado
Jeez Christy,I’m always catching up on your posts after the fact but I have to say that you are so inpiring, in so many ways. Thank you for all your outstanding posts and the work you put in to making thungs better.
Christy, your post is indeed inspirational.
Growing up I was accustomed to being blessed with an abundance of food from my parent’s garden. Believe me I didn’t appreciate it when I was a child being forced to pick the butter beans, shuck the corn, and snap the beans. What did I know?
My parents thought they had to preserve everything that they grew either in the freezer or in canned goods. They did, and I did, even if I protested at the time. What I know now is that I didn’t appreciate now what I had then.
We grew tomatoes, corn, green beans, october beans (hubby doesn’t like them, I do. Can’t be found now), peas, strawberries, cantelope, watermellon, potatoes, sweet potatoes, greens (turnip, kale, mustard) and oh the turnips when ripe from the turnip greens, cucumbers, peanuts, apples, damsons, cherries, and on and on. Canned goods, frozen goods, jellies, preserves, were the norm. They grew up during the depression. They appreciated everything that the earth produced and preserved it.
Even when all their children were gone (me), they provided food from the garden for the entire extended family and all the neighbors.
When my parents became unable to tend to the garden, the neighbors planted in their space, giving them all the fresh vegetables they needed, and keeping the rest for themselves and their extended families.
When I look around me, with the abundance of fertile land available, I can’t help but think that we can grow what we need. Where there is a will there is a way to supply the need.
Hard work for sure, but there is a way to feed those who are hungry.
Sorry for the late post.
Housing, rental and ownership cost have grown dramatically under Bushco. More foreclosed folks have to get in the rental market. Unfortunately little rental units like multifamily aparmants have been built in the last three decades and the housing stock is shrinking. That income would have gone for food and other needs. We need a low cost housing bill out of congress to put people back to work building it. Farmers refuse to build farm worker housing as Delores about that…a good post topic.
Hey hon! Good to see you in our neck of the woods. Give tbogg a smooch from me, would you? (And then tell him to go out and buy you something fabulous — you deserve it. *g* We girls have to stick together…)
We donate to our local animal shelter all the time — I used to be on the board for it until the blog took over my life — and we have a new stray as well. How do the puppies always know where the soft-hearted people live?
We clearly need something between the activities suggested for “activists” in this post and insurrection. If you think our problems will yield to contacting Congresspeople, I wonder how long it will take for you to realize you are wrong. That’s just my prediction which is no more valid than yours. Perhaps Obama will get elected and turn things around. A lot to lay on one man. The forces we oppose are nasty, powerful and will not go quietly. We staggered through Nixon. Perhaps we will stagger through Bush.