The Night Before the Election
Since December, I’ve been working with several candidates as a campaign counselor. This was my first time in politics, and I have some observations to share and a call to action. First, the scary stuff.
Racism is alive and active in your community, wherever you live. Candidates in my area have been threatened, called racist names, and physically chased. Under the cover of night, racists have displayed a swastika, distributed hate speech pamphlets, and destroyed yard signs. It’s also sneaky, in the messages about “unqualified” candidates who “don’t belong.” People are feeling validated by politicians who fuel the fire. I predict 2020 will be worse.
Sexism is alive and active in your community. One of my MALE candidates was attacked with two mailers from the state Republican party that demonized Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. Even among so-called liberal communities, campaign contributions are lower for female candidates. We don’t take women seriously.
Voter suppression includes access to information. A lesson I learned with two campaigns is that candidates will “reschedule” debates and interviews to suppress news coverage for their challengers. Voters don’t get to hear candidates talk on the issues and are less informed. These types of candidates don’t care about you, a fair system, or the integrity of our government. They care about winning and the power that comes at your expense.
On the good side, people are running because they see the danger in our power structure. These candidates are “first responders” who stand up because SOMEONE HAS TO DO IT. Maybe they can’t fight Trump, but they will push for increased education funding and protect voting access. Local government matters.
There are more regular folks helping than you think. People are coming out to knock doors and make voter calls. That’s a big deal. It can be intimidating to do that if you’ve never been involved in politics. But it shows people are willing to work for better communities.
This brings me to my call to action: get involved in politics on November 7.
Voting is not enough. Representative democracy isn’t working. Just think of all the elected officials who ignore the people they “represent.” Personally, I am plagued with people in government who don’t care to hear from me, from my mayor to my Congresspeople. They do what they want, even when the community suffers.
The alternative is participatory democracy.
Participatory democracy gives everyone the opportunity to make meaningful contributions. A government of the people, for the people, and by the people means we do more than vote. We build.
We have to build candidates who can win on November 3, 2020. We have to build coalitions of concerned residents who make noise. We have to build action networks that achieve positive change. We have to save ourselves.
All power comes from the people. Nobody “empowers” you, but they sure can try to block you. That’s why we constantly have to demand justice. That’s why we have to participate. And we have to do it now.
You don’t have to be in charge of anything to lead. Just gather people.
You don’t have to lead. Be one of the gathered who shows up once a week. Distribute information. Invite friends to join your group.
But we can’t be represented any longer. We have to participate. Government doesn’t belong to the politicians. “Of the people, for the people, by the people” means government belongs to you. Act like it.
