Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. —Howard Thurman
These are truly extraordinary times. On the one hand, we have extreme divisions in this country that look irreconcilable; and on the other, we are witnessing a global call to action, political involvement, and citizen activism not seen in decades.
The Chinese term for “crisis” (weiji) combines “threat” and “opportunity”—an apt description that the situation facing America represents an opportunity to demonstrate the power of citizen activism. There is a role for governments, a role for diplomats; but in a democracy, there is also an important role for citizens. Both of us have been advocates for citizen diplomacy in our life’s work and in our writing.
We both have seen firsthand how the power of citizen activism and diplomacy can change the world and make it a safer place. We have seen the power of other large-scale citizen efforts— the civil rights movement, environmental movement, women’s movement, antiwar and human rights movements—which have created profound shifts in values among an aware and engaged citizenry. Inspired citizens have spoken up, taken a stand, and made a difference. Now is again time for large-scale citizen action. Fear, isolation, and passivity will weaken us and our nation. Citizens have real power when they speak collectively and when they vote. As Margaret Mead aptly said, “When the citizens lead, the leaders will eventually follow.”
Second, this global call to action is a call to take moral leadership when our own political leaders take actions that are not aligned with our nation’s core values or best interests. At such times, we have the moral responsibility to speak up, questioning bad policies and immoral actions. Denigrating women and negating survivors of sexual harassment is not acceptable. Allowing foreign interference in our election threatens the very fabric of our Constitution. Banning immigrants from entering the United States, separating immigrant children from their mothers, and building a wall is an anathema to the very essence and identity of this country. Shrinking our national health care system that benefits millions of Americans without a suitable alternative hurts everyone. Undermining the very institutions that protect us in the areas of justice, environmental protection, education, diplomacy, security, gender equality, and human rights harms the fundamental rights we live by. We, as citizens, must keep our leaders accountable and exercise our right to question and overturn unjust policies or actions. The viability of our democracy depends on our ability to do just that at the present time.
Third, today we see the rise of women as activists, agents of change, leaders, and community organizers. The #MeToo and #Time’sUp movements that has gone viral around the globe has freed women to call out sexual harassment and violence when it happens. The hearings in the US Senate accentuated a continued need to call out sexual harassment when it occurs and to listen to survivors. The women’s march following President Trump’s inauguration was an extraordinary demonstration of global outrage led by women all over the world demanding their rights. More women than ever in history ran and won political office in 2018 in the United States. Women of all parties and persuasions are coming together to courageously question the old paradigm and create a new more collaborative one that is inclusive, engaging, respectful, and open-minded. Make no doubt about it, we are a force to be reckoned with and are claiming our voices!
Fourth, high school students in the United States have created a national movement in the wake of high school shootings to end this senseless violence. Their #enough movement has led them to the halls of our government. They are learning their rights as citizens to utilize the democratic freedoms they have, to demand legislators address gun violence and enact responsible gun regulation. Understanding more about their power as citizens, they organized youth across the country to vote in the November 2018 elections for candidates who support reasonable gun legislation. They are claiming their voices!
The headlines scream a lack of civility in our country, to our peril. Civility is when we are able to have a respectful conversation with others with whom we disagree. While it doesn’t necessarily solve disagreements, it can lead to finding common ground when we talk with, rather than at, each other. It’s wrong to target or blame groups of people; to stereotype, ridicule, or demean others; and to denigrate the very institutions that serve us. This is not the American way; it is not what we love about this country. What makes America great is its rich diversity that embraces multiculturalism, an open and free press, freedom of opportunity, and equality for all. Walls, bans, and divisive politics don’t represent us. As the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said, it’s time to return to the values inherent in the founding of this country that fostered civility, respect for truth, equality, and shared decision making. All our voices must be heard.
Citizen activism, diplomacy, and civility are desperately called for at this time. We, as citizens, need to maintain our moral compass, listen to others, have the courage and ability to collectively hold true to our values, and not let our political leaders get away with un-American behavior or unjust policies or actions. We cannot leave it to the Congress, the White House, or the Supreme Court. It is our moral responsibility as citizens to be the beacon of light and a collective megaphone to ensure that our core American values are sacrosanct. We have seen this in the rise of Indivisible groups throughout the nation, groups of citizens who are educating themselves about issues, writing their representatives, holding town hall meetings, and demanding that their representatives truly represent the will of the people they serve. These Indivisible citizen groups are active and aware and growing in numbers across the nation.
As Ann Richards, the late governor of Texas, said, “I want to urge you to make waves. I want to urge you to rock the boat. I want to urge you to get off your duff. I want you to speak out at whatever cost, if it comes from your heart. You’re going to build up this country and when you see what you have done, I hope that you are proud of it.” It is imperative that we insist that our representatives in Congress create solutions that work for all Americans and not just a small elite and defend sound policies that reflect our national tenets as a nation.
Let us be inspired by the words of President Abraham Lincoln: “That we here highly resolve . . . that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” As President Obama once said, “We are the ones we are waiting for.”
Joanne Huskey is a cross cultural trainer and international educator. She is Vice President of iLIVE2LEAD and has published several books including, The Unofficial Diplomat.
Kimberly Weichel is a peacebuilder, social entrepreneur, author and NGO leader, working to build bridges between cultures and peoples for 30 years. This chapter is from her recently published book "Our Voices Matter: Wisdom, Hope and Action for Our Time". www.kimweichel.org.