The First Step is Knowledge

I wish I “went with the flow” as much, in the rest of my life, as I do this website.

Let me rephrase that, “I ‘go with the flow’ as much, in the rest of my life, as I do this website.” (Words create reality, right?)

I’ve learned to “wait” for each week’s FemCentral theme. It’s really impossible to force them. Sometimes, the theme arrives weeks ahead of time. Sometimes, I’m furiously writing a post at 10pm, all while planning to post it in just a mere two hours.

I actually got the clue to this week’s theme mid last week.  Since I’m researching the life of American Suffragist Lucy Burns, I go to UNC Chapel Hill’s library about 3 times a week. It involves driving 20 miles, parking at a “park and ride,” catching a bus, riding the bus for about 30 minutes, and then, walking across campus for about 15 minutes.

On my walk from the bus to the library, I pass the “Occupy Chapel Hill” group. It’s a very tiny group that I hear has good relations with the local authorities. Usually, as I’m arriving, they are just emerging from their tents for the morning. I nod and say, “Hi.”

In the library, I check out a roll of microfilm and sit down at the ancient machine, that’s as big as my entertainment center, to read the original correspondence of the “National Woman’s Party.” Each roll of microfilm includes 2 months of letters and takes about 4 hours to review. The letters begin in 1913 and go up until 1920. I am currently near the end of 1915.

While the going is slow, I am getting a sense of the daily effort that went into this long fight for women. And, last week, as I was reading about planned deputations to Congressmen, and a cross country drive – with stops to give Suffrage speeches, and Suffrage parades and demonstrations, the parallels with the Occupy Movement hit me. How did I not see this before?

Walking back from the library to catch my bus to the “park and ride,” I once again passed “Occupy Chapel Hill.” There was a group with a large banner that read, “Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.” I stopped and gaped. This organization was founded in 1915, by some AMERICAN SUFFRAGISTS.  While I was standing there, a woman approached me and asked, “Would you like to hear about our proposed amendment to the Constitution?”  I will say that I am no longer shocked by synchronicities but they do still give me chills!

On the rest of my trek home, I considered how I might address activism, or protests, or women activists, or even the Occupy Movement, on FemCentral. I had a swirl of ideas but nothing concrete. I’ve learned not to force my posts either.

Saturday night, I was no closer to having something specific to address. I did a free-writing session but that only added to the chaos of potential topics. Then, I was on Twitter, and saw a female acquaintance of mine tweet,

Politics make me scared and sad. I choose not to watch, listen or read for my own spiritual well-being.

I responded, “But our knowledge of politics and thoughts about it can make such a profound difference.” (I wanted to say a lot more but there’s that 140 character limit thing to deal with.)

She replied, It causes me so much stress. I just don’t feel it’s worth it. I feel helpless.

Clarity on my topic had arrived.

How many of you feel like this, at least a little? I do, and I can sympathize. But, if our thoughts create our reality, and the thoughts of the collective create the COLLECTIVE reality…then if we think we’re helpless, we will be. And, I can guarantee that at least some of the people in power would love for us to feel confused and helpless.  To leave everything up to them to decide. To not protest when they are violating laws. To not complain when they are obviously making decisions based purely on selfishness and which damage the very people they are elected to serve. Not all people in power are corrupt. But, the corrupt ones easily take charge if we allow them to.

How do we overcome this feeling of helplessness? The stress that following politics can cause?

We must choose to no longer be a VICTIM. We must take the action necessary to fight the people who would cause us harm.

Is this possible? Yes. Is it easy? No. It is not. But to not take action, is to passively allow things to go on as they are. We have the Power to change the world. We do.

Step One is Knowledge

Something else that has never occurred to me (at least, in direct relation to FemCentral) – my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. My work as a Congressional intern. My years designing social studies curriculum for middle and high school and community colleges. My experience training social studies teachers. My 8 years as a University instructor, teaching global culture and politics.

I am offering to use my education, experience, and research skills, to help lift the veil of mystery that is being used to keep us scared, silent and confused.

What would you like to know? Some of you might want to know basics of the political process. Some might want to know more about specific policies or laws but not have the time to research them in detail. Tell me what you want to know. I will research myself or find an expert to explain the information to us.

No question is too simple. I guarantee that if you ask what you think is a “stupid” question, there will be a multitude of people thankful that you asked it. If you don’t want people to know what you’ve asked, simply email me. I won’t share your name.

This does not just have to be about politics in the United States. As I mentioned above, I teach a University class in global cultures and politics, and I love to research!

Do you have a subject about which you are passionate? Monica Wilcox has posted about environmentalism. And Leslee Horner recently did a week of posts that covered the treatment of animals in the food industry. Share your activist passion here!

This is a serious offer. Use me as your personal political researcher. Catch part of a story on NPR or Jon Stewart or CNN or yes, Fox News, and want to know more? “The Rest of the Story”? Ask me!

Knowledge is the first step to change. Let’s get started.

(Seriously, start now! Leave questions below or email me at jennifer@jenniferlshelton.com)