Brian, I have been following your posts on building community and networks. To date me, I have been following politics since 1980! I started doing grassroots organizing work around the same time, in anti-nuclear, civil rights, police relations, environmental, and mostly community development work for the last forty years in a variety of movements.
I believe a more fundamental approach to change is needed. Even the method you suggest, to unify the "progressive" movement is still within what I call the Culture of Separation - in that it is based on a particular view of political power where different players are pitted against each other in a "battlefield."
Can we find a way to make fundamental systems change, while creating a new playing field instead? I know the answer is yes, and it starts in local communities (at the municipal and county level) around issues that people can rally around -- community re-localization around strengthening the local economy; local food production and consumption; and many more common issues.
But, this approach requires a redefinition of power from working to capture or wield power over others (on the right or the left) -- to a new definition of power which has to do with Love and Service. Politics is downstream from culture. We have to change our culture at the grassroots and then local politicians will get elected that reflect this new reality. I have direct experience with this and have seen it happen all the way to the state level.
Fantastic post, Brian. I wish this post got in front of more heads in the Democratic Party. Doesn't look like we'll get our transformational candidate this cycle, just as Bernie polled way better versus Trump than Hillary, I feel like a Warren/AOC ticket would be as close as we could get to transformation.
I've unplugged for my own sanity, but if a transformation candidate shows up, maybe I would too. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I'm always amazed by your scholarship, Brian. I am curious why you did not mention Marianne Williamson? She's not only a progressive, but a person who knows the wisdom and power of love. I heard her speak in person when she ran in 2020. My favorite line was this, "Every generation has faced challenges and made progress; let us NOT be the generation that wimps out!" Indigenous peoples understand that they have to both nurture and protect their people. We all want to 'nurture' the new story but we would be remiss if we did not also protect ourselves from folks who want to continue their power over others. It's a challenging mix. But one that Bernie Sanders exemplifies in my view. All these elements are pieces of the puzzle as we strive to co-create a future that works for all beings. THANKS for challenging us to think deeply about our current circumstances.
Brian, I have been following your posts on building community and networks. To date me, I have been following politics since 1980! I started doing grassroots organizing work around the same time, in anti-nuclear, civil rights, police relations, environmental, and mostly community development work for the last forty years in a variety of movements.
I believe a more fundamental approach to change is needed. Even the method you suggest, to unify the "progressive" movement is still within what I call the Culture of Separation - in that it is based on a particular view of political power where different players are pitted against each other in a "battlefield."
Can we find a way to make fundamental systems change, while creating a new playing field instead? I know the answer is yes, and it starts in local communities (at the municipal and county level) around issues that people can rally around -- community re-localization around strengthening the local economy; local food production and consumption; and many more common issues.
But, this approach requires a redefinition of power from working to capture or wield power over others (on the right or the left) -- to a new definition of power which has to do with Love and Service. Politics is downstream from culture. We have to change our culture at the grassroots and then local politicians will get elected that reflect this new reality. I have direct experience with this and have seen it happen all the way to the state level.
Fantastic post, Brian. I wish this post got in front of more heads in the Democratic Party. Doesn't look like we'll get our transformational candidate this cycle, just as Bernie polled way better versus Trump than Hillary, I feel like a Warren/AOC ticket would be as close as we could get to transformation.
I've unplugged for my own sanity, but if a transformation candidate shows up, maybe I would too. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I'm always amazed by your scholarship, Brian. I am curious why you did not mention Marianne Williamson? She's not only a progressive, but a person who knows the wisdom and power of love. I heard her speak in person when she ran in 2020. My favorite line was this, "Every generation has faced challenges and made progress; let us NOT be the generation that wimps out!" Indigenous peoples understand that they have to both nurture and protect their people. We all want to 'nurture' the new story but we would be remiss if we did not also protect ourselves from folks who want to continue their power over others. It's a challenging mix. But one that Bernie Sanders exemplifies in my view. All these elements are pieces of the puzzle as we strive to co-create a future that works for all beings. THANKS for challenging us to think deeply about our current circumstances.