Wireboy was nice enough to include me in an interesting email conversation about whether hope and optimism are possible in this society. Whether voting makes a difference.
I am a firm believer in democracy and the power of the people to change the world through non-violent, peaceful elections.
One person does make a difference. But its also the
banding together of those "ones" that makes a real
difference. This is what I love about Freak's unique
philosphy. He sees how much more power we have when we
band together, and instead of being exclusive, and
opting out of the mainstream like most communes, how
groups of people really can make a difference in their
own quality of life and the quality of life of those
around them. We call this idea urban communes for
professionals.
At a certain point I think you have to start being the
change you want to see in the world. I'm going door to
door for Kerry tommorrow. Do I think people are going
to listen to me? Honestly it doesn't matter. If 3,000
oregonians go out on behalf of enviromental rights and
reach 10 people each--that's a hell of a difference.
Multiply by what's happening around the country and
you can hear our roar.
I think you have to have hope, have to have optimism,
and have to keep trying--this is what gives us
purpose, gives our life purpose, and enables us to
connect with others.
126,000 ADOPTABLE (not foster but ADOPTABLE) kids in
the US need homes right now, today.
http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm November is national
adoption month. How do I know that this makes a
difference? I see it in the amazing strides these kids
make with their "forever" families. I see it in the
court victories my department keeps winning to get
kids to adoption sooner, to get kids into better
enviroments. One of the reasons we are so successful
is because of the tireless efforts of the adoptive
families.
Another way that I know that one person makes a
difference: I heard a retired judge, one of the first
women in Oregon speak. She is not rich, nor does she
have children of her own. Before she went to the bench
she worked for the department of justice like I do.
Yet through brown bagging, walking to work, making
choices she and her husband managed to put ALL of
their nieces and nephews through college. A younger
judge who was one of my mentors, was so inspired she
and her husband are now saving for the same goal, and
they built extra room onto to their new house for any
that want to live with them to go to school. I know
several others who have been similarly inspired.
Finally even the smallest things we do make a
difference. I have MS, and yoga is one of my
strategies for dealing with it. Another mentor is a
very large woman, who also has MS and who has remained
fairly sedentary. She has been inspired by my yoga to
seek our a center near her home in Eugene. Another
boss rode in the annual MS ride and said she used me
for inspiration in the last, hard miles.
My brothers were inspired by Wireboy and Freak and I to get
politically active. They joined the Green party, drove
to the convention, were delegates, and work on Cobb's
webpage. And these are two, otherwise slacker kids who
shop at walmart, use fossil fuel, and play video games
all day.
Finally I don't know how many people Freak has
inspired to get a hybrid car. We each have the
potential to touch lives just by living ours. There is
indeed hope for the future. Freak, Wireboy, Lilybleu and countless others are great examples. Be the change.
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