The challenge remains…

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The challenge remains.  On the other side are formidable forces: money, political power, the major media.  On our side are the people of the world and a power greater than money or weapons: the truth. Truth has a power of its own. Art has a power of its own. That age-old lesson – that everything we do matters – is the meaning of the people’s struggle here in the United States and everywhere.  A poem can inspire a movement.  A pamphlet can spark a revolution. Civil disobedience can arouse people and provoke us to think, when we organize with one another, when we get involved, when we stand up and speak out together, we can create a power no government can suppress.  We live in a beautiful country.  But people who have no respect for human life, freedom, or justice have taken it over.  It is now up to all of us to take it back.”— Howard Zinn (A Power Governments Cannot Suppress)

“I want my country back!”  Or : “I want my country back from the people who want their country back!”  We’ve all heard those sentiments; I’ve had similar thoughts myself.  But what do they mean?  What’s the snapshot of the US in our minds-eye when we hear or say “my” country?  Is it the picture-perfect 1950s, when Father Knew Best, the world seemed simpler, and everyone knew his or her role in society?  Or is it a 1960s/early 1970s free spirit communal society, where people live together peacefully and without conflict?  Perhaps a time even further back in the 1800s, when we lived in a more agrarian/small town society, and everyone was a neighbor.  Life is tough, and where is that time capsule to transport us to a better era?   Alas, the passage of time tends to color events with a rosy glow; as we might fondly reminisce over mom’s good turkey dinner without focusing on the fact that Aunt Harriet always had too many manhattans over Thanksgiving afternoon…  Of course we know there has never been a time in our country that’s been good for all her people.

Times are bad in our country now:  Our United States of America doesn’t seem so united.  I don’t remember a time when there has been such open acceptance of virulent hatred.  Most of us experience economic hardships in real ways.  Big Business together with Dysfunctional Congress has us dancing on a string.  Rapid change makes even the most secure of us feel like we’re losing control, and now events move so fast it seems we’re powerless to stop them or even slow them down.  When we’re reeling and feel out of control, it’s tempting to find someone to blame; or to become apathetic, think we’re doomed and give up.  Neither is very satisfying.   But there is another path.  Throughout our history, individuals have stood up in the face of enormous challenges to try and effect changes for the good of their sisters and brothers, and in doing so, contributed to a better “our” country.  The US hasn’t seen any kind of widespread, sustained protest in a while and we might be at that place again.

I love reading history because it shows that human nature never changes, we’ve been in and come out of very dire straits in the past, and right can ultimately overcome might.  In the 1910s workers faced down armed state troopers to unionize industrial monopolies whose conditions were literally squeezing the life out of them.  In the 1930s huge numbers of unemployed poor marched in the streets against hunger and for jobs.  In the 1960s, brave souls faced water hoses, billy clubs and dogs in their peaceful quest for rights.  In so many cases, it took only one or two people to spark a movement that led to positive change.

“I want my country back” can be shorthand for “I want to make sure my voice is heard and that this country is the kind of place I want to live in and love.”  We can make that happen in small, quiet ways by helping out where we live: non-profits need volunteers, the homeless need warm coats, shut-ins need meals delivered.  We can do that in larger, noisier ways by organizing a real grass-roots rally or community protest.  As one example, community protests against high pressure gas drilling or “fracking” are taking place and having a positive effect.  “Progressives” and “conservatives” are coming together to rescue their small rural communities from the corporations destroying them.  Taking one step toward action always makes one feel better, and has a bonus ripple effect outward.  Our country is what we make it.

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mbarnato

mbarnato has ridden her bicycle around the block a few times, and is happily still riding!
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thejeanmachine
13 years ago

The world is full of madness. On a madness scale, of one to ten, considering the world, America would rank about a one with ten being the nuttiest of all. There is a lot of hope for us yet. We just need to restructure our government but that won’t be an easy task. Thanks for an iinteresting post.

13 years ago

The hatred and the ‘dancing on a string’ … has seen it’s historical mirror… I can remember the bitterness and atrocious behavior of white people in south FL towards any people of color or culture, like the migrant workers, when I was small. It built to a crisis and then boom! Cops were using fire hoses, dogs were biting people marching. Young northerners were disappearing… it’s history. There was demonstration and discord on all social levels over the Viet Nam war… wasn’t there? I was chastised in my home for being in favor of ending it. It’s the same ole same ole with Republicans… the rat f**king, the right wing zealots with Christ in a sidecar…
What has really changed is the place.
The crucial elements of population, pollution, famine, planetary poisoning, explicit governmental dampening by big business on a globally united level of systems, supported by laws that are being slowly corrupted in the oldest countries… and if you look behind the curtain… if you go ahead and pay attention to the man behind that curtain…it scares the crap out you that it is such a very few seem to be holding the all the cards by marketing truth and suspicion using a primary tool…MEDIA.
Places like MMA and all the independent blogs are actually creating the alternative to this madness. Don’t cha think?

Good post Maureen! (be nice if I spellcked before posting… )

Reply to  Gwendolyn H. Barry
13 years ago

Gwen, you have consistently good insight on the short take and long view of issues. I think our country *is* in a condition we haven’t been in for 4 decades. We were a bitterly divided nation in the 1960s over VietNam and the problems you cite. I didn’t experience what you saw in the south, but was in Cleveland during the mid-late 1960’s “race riots”. The Nat’l Guard was in the streets w/ their guns and tanks. People would freak if they saw that today…
Drawing back the curtain, looking, thinking, reading, analyzing, writing, sharing — all DO help create sanity in the midst of madness, I DO think! Thanks, Gwen.

13 years ago

Hi Maureen, Welcome! I read this post before coming to yours…An American Hero – Buffalo Calf Road Woman…written by Oso, I must say, I see some of the Buffalo Woman’s spirit in you, the fighting Spirit. We need that! I might add that you will see some of that yourself when you come to know the Female writers we have here…all Buffalo women in their own right. So welcome Maureen, you are in great company indeed, and it is a pleasure to know you 🙂

Reply to  Teeluck
13 years ago

Hi Teeluck! I’ve read some of your insightful posts & comments before, and am very pleased to formally make your acquaintance! I will look for that post from Oso; he is one formidable writer! I’m looking forward to meeting all, and reading more of MMA writers. I know I’m in good company, and we need all the strong fighters these days. Thanks for your encouragement!

13 years ago

“Progressives” and “conservatives” are coming together to rescue their small rural communities from the corporations destroying them.

That is the most important thing to remember. We need to shout together to be heard over their money talking.

Reply to  Mother Hen
13 years ago

Too true, Mother Hen. We’re not the enemies of each other but the Power That Be would prefer it if we were, rather than come together and turn our attentions to them…

osori
13 years ago

Maureen,
excellent post.What is most effective is you urge us to do “doable” things.Grassroots/community effort.It can all seem overwhelming, this was timely and offers us some hope, which is sorely needed.
Thank you

Reply to  osori
13 years ago

Thank you, Osori! A sweet lesson is that just one step in the direction of action makes us feel better. Nothing has to be huge; just one step….

13 years ago

P.S. Ms. Barnato you have joined a great group of folks over at Mad Mikes. I thoroughly enjoy my daily visits and am pleased to contribute in any way. All the best to you and welcome.

Reply to  Richard T.
13 years ago

Richard, that is very nice, thank you. I realize I’m in with a formidable group of writers and thinkers here! ~ I don’t think we’re doomed (yet…) either, but time’s a’ wastin’! We all have to figure our own way, I guess. But that’s probably better than bowing to a new Dear Leader anyway…

13 years ago

I agree with everyone here. Not only is this article most timely it is almost prescient. While I don’t think we are doomed I agree that the pressure is building. We live in a society whose representatives no longer listen to the people and where big business and corporations rule. Sooner or later something will have to give. Let’s hope it is not with the election of a fool such as Sarah Palin. Americans can do do strange things. Look at George Bush…..

13 years ago

Nice bit of reading, Maureen. We are at a point wherein pressure is building. What’s odd about our time is that it is very difficult to put your finger on exactly what the problem is that needs solving. It seems like there are so many of them.

Reply to  C.H. McDermott
13 years ago

Thank you, C.H. We face so many complex, interwoven problems and we need good leaders with vision & backbone to help us find solutions. Well, they’re sure in short supply… People are going to get increasingly desperate, and I hope it’s not the crazies with the guns who ae out in the streets first. I keep wanting to nip that in the bud w/ non-violent action.

13 years ago

Yes Maureen, reading history does tell you there is nothing new under the sun, the only thing different is the date.

The 50s is probably remembered with nostalgia because never had so many (white) people have such a good share of a countries wealth, not all Americans remember those times with as much fondness.

Many groups of people ‘want their country back’ and these groups all have different reasons for wanting to turn the clock back, but a countries clock only moves forward. IMO the sell-out Congress, their pockets bulging with corporate cash have played a massive part in America’s current dilemma.

Excellent post and welcome.

Reply to  Holte Ender
13 years ago

Holte, I recently read a book on the middle ages, and I was surprised at how few essential differences there were between people then and now. It’s the same old stuff, re-packaged with new words for a new audience. Yes, reading history helps me keep a semblance of sanity! Thank you for the warm welcome!

Admin
13 years ago

This is a brilliant, carefully crafted piece of writing. Welcome to the team Maureen!

Reply to  Professor Mike
13 years ago

Mike, many thanks for your support. You and the group have put together a solid, varied and interesting magazine I’m proud to be associated with.

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