Activism Begins at Home
by Marie T. Russell
and bobby jennings
"The way I'm an activist, if I'm an activist at all, is try to be a good
person, do what I believe in, in every way. Activism can start very small --
helping our neighbor, being less materialistic, not being mass consumers. All
these things are active. If I can just be a good citizen and a good example that
will radiate to other people?"
Patti Smith, internationally renowned recording artist
speaking at a press conference
in Tampa, Florida, USA on April 13th, 2002
(To read a version of this article which includes photos,
click
here.)
There was Democracy Rising Rally in Tampa on April 13th, 2002 on
the campus of the University of South Florida. What is Democracy Rising? Perhaps
it is best explained by its slogan "The People Have The Power".
Incredibly it drew over 6,000 folks at $10 to $15 a head. The enthusiasm in the
crowd was electric and reminded me the anti war rallies on campus in the late
60's and early 70's.
But, how can it be called Democracy Rising when we live in the greatest
democracy in the world? Well, guess again, we no longer are even the greatest
democracy in the Northern Hemisphere. (Biggest economy and strongest military
does not a democracy make.) Many of us have been asleep at the switch since 1975
and the end of the Viet Nam War. We've been busy raising our children, pursuing
our careers, and staying away from the polls in record numbers. What we have
inherited is one of the most corrupt governments in the history of the American
Experience.
A recent Presidential candidate was even heard to say in an inebriated slur
" Thank God the American people are nanve." How dare him. What we
deserve is a leadership that exemplifies the character and the many sacrifices
of the American people. But this is America and maybe there is still enough time
to have changes take place. Regardless of our politics, Democracy Rising will
make us all a little less nanve.
Ralph Nader, one of the founders of the grass-roots movement "Democracy
Rising", is an example of an "everyday person" who took action
and made a powerful difference. His best-selling book "Unsafe at Any
Speed", published in 1965, targeted the auto industry for designing
automobiles for style, cost, performance and calculated obsolescence, but not
for safety. He is responsible for the auto industry making drastic design
changes for safer motor vehicles.
Nader has earned the reputation of being a "worker's hero" with his
focus on consumer protection and consumer justice. His organizations have been
responsible for the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and
have launched federal regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA), Environment Protection Agency (EPA), and Consumer
Product Safety Administration.
Who is Ralph Nader that he was able to accomplish all of this? Seeing him on
TV as well as in person, he doesn't come across as a "Mighty
Superman". He seems very shy, quiet, and unassuming. Yet, he himself is
responsible for many of the changes in the USA that benefit "the little
guy".
When Ralph Nader is asked to define himself, he always responds:
"Full-time citizen, the most important office in America for anyone to
achieve." He is one of America's most effective social critics. He has
earned the trust, admiration, and respect of the American people by his actions,
integrity, and commitment to the people. And this is what being an activist
means: being a full-time citizen, having integrity and being committed and
persistent in having our voice heard.
Another speaker at the rally was Jello Biafra, former lead singer of the Dead
Kennedys. To the cheers of the people attending the rally, he said "We love
our country too and we are not with Bush or the terrorists. We care about the
long-term effects of what we're doing."
Michael Moore, author of "Stupid White Men" was also a speaker.
"All the great changes in this world have occurred when just a few people
have done something. It doesn?t take a majority. Look at J.C. He only had 12
guys. That's all it takes. If just five of you tonight left here and did
something, that would have a terrific impact? Don't count on us, me or Ralph
or anybody, to do it for you."
That was the rallying cry of the evening.
"Doing something is better than doing nothing! Always!" --Jello
Biafra
"Find out something you can do, any little thing you can do. Find
out what concerns you. Give a little time. It will keep growing." --
Patti Smith
"The only thing that will defeat organized money is organized
people" --Ralph Nader
When asked what we, the people, could do, Ralph Nader replied
"Communicate with one another, and on public airwaves, on serious
issues." Patti Smith echoed this sentiment: "The only way we can
communicate globally is to start in our own backyard. Communicate with each
other."
Ralph Nader also exhorted people to "commit their most precious
commodity -- time." His definition of patriotism: "working hard? to
make our country more lovable." He asked some hard questions: "What
will we tell our grandchildren? That we didn't believe we had the power? We
didn't believe in ourselves? We were too busy watching reruns on
television?"
Mr. Nader pointed out that there are more than 2000 weeks in a person's
lifetime from the age of 20 to the age of 65. Ralph Nader's purpose in these
rallies across the US is to spark a "million-hundred-hundred" movement
of the citizenry: one million people devoting at least 100 hours a year and $100
to a variety of causes like economic and environmental justice, universal health
care, campaign finance revisions, union organizing, solar energy, and better
public transportation.
Ralph Nader was an inspiration to listen to. "What is impossible is
possible, and we're going to make it happen." As he spoke to the crowd
composed of students, senior citizens, and "average Jos", he spoke
passionately about the power of the people to make a difference. He spoke of his
vision to "change ordinary people into extraordinary people". He
affirmed: "I'm going to do what I'm going to do, and I'm going to hope
others do what they should do."
It was a rallying cry for the people attending and the people across the
country. If we want our environment protected, if we want health care for all,
if we want education for our children, if we want a world at peace, we must do
something -- we must take back our power. Ralph Nader received a standing
ovation when he remarked: "Isn't is time that the government spend more
money waging peace than waging war?"
If there are any things that we think can be improved or changed in our
world, it is up to us to do something. We cannot sit back and expect things to
change on their own. I am reminded of the slogan "Visualize World
Peace". We must first have a vision of the goal we want to attain but then
ultimately we must take action -- action based on a peaceful vision and actions.
Only "the people" should have the power in America!
While we may not agree with all of Mr. Nader's politics, we can be sure that
Ralph Nader is an honest man -- one which all public servants should be compared
to. We encourage you to at least attend a Democracy Rising rally, and to become
aware of the issues. Visit the Democracy Rising website at http://www.democracyrising.org
for more information.
 RECOMMENDED
BOOK: Crashing the Party, by Ralph Nader.
Published by: St. Martin's Press
Info/Order
this book.
About the Authors
 
Marie T. Russell and bobby jennings are the publishers of InnerSelf Magazine
as well as several other websites. Their publishing works reflect their
"life purpose" and desire to "make a difference".
| Comments () >> |
 |
 |
