It is good to see that activism is alive and well in Durango, and nationally.
This past presidential election was possibly the most acrimonious in recent history. It may have turned off as many people as it turned on. Yet, an estimated 231 million Americans, 60 percent of eligible voters, turned out in November. That sounds high until we learn that the remaining 40 percent amounts to 92 million people.
That is a lot of people who did not participate, and for any number of reasons did not feel it mattered. They felt unrepresented in the choices of candidates and issues, and probably have for a long time. That, unfortunately, may be a result of our present politics.
Citizen participation in our democracy is the only way change ever occurs and why activism is so important. Historically, citizen, political, religious groups and labor unions have organized in support of some type of social, political, economic or environmental reform. Most of the gains for blacks, women and other minorities, workers, people with disabilities, animals and the environment, and others under-represented in the halls of power or without a voice at all have come about through some form of activism.
Voting, of course, is the one to which we are introduced at an early age. We are taught to voice our preferences with a vote, which can also include what we buy and where we shop. Writing, calling and meeting with elected officials and others who are in positions of influence is another. Boycotts, rallies, strikes and sit-ins all fit under the activism umbrella too.
Our nation also has a long history of marching for a cause. For many, especially younger women, the march in Washington, and in approximately 300 other locations around the world, was their first taste of activism.
We have labor unions to thank for advocating for a 40-hour work week that resulted in something we all take for granted: the weekend. The disability movement gave us the remote control and mobile phones. Animal rights activists have challenged and ended corporate practices of testing cosmetics and shampoos on rabbits, mice, rats and dogs, and the use of elephants and killer whales for public entertainment.
There are movements to end incarcerating youth and people with mental illnesses, the death penalty and abortion, sexual assault on college campuses, unequal pay for women and all types of discrimination. It is hard to argue that things change without an individual, more often a group of individuals, pushing for that change. They do not.
It is unfortunate that “community organizer” became a dirty couple of words during Barack Obama’s presidency. He held that title early in his career in Chicago and successfully organized a summer job program for teens and the removal of asbestos from one of the area’s oldest housing projects.
Regardless of how one feels about our former president, these are noble ends best captured in a quote attributed to American cultural anthropologist, Margaret Mead:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Whether you are advocating for or opposing a particular position, the activity is a good thing. It means our democracy is functioning as it should, as long as our leaders are listening.
