I am an armchair activist. And a mediocre one at that. I’ve never written to my governmental representatives (who I have long suspected represented their own interests over those of the people who elected them). I have never marched in a demonstration for equality among races, ages, genders. I have never signed a petition calling for fairness.
The extent of my involvement in political change is voting. And I seldom vote in the primaries.
I did take my boy, who was fifteen years old at the time, into the voting booth with me during the 2009 elections so that he could see the fundamental principle of democracy first hand.
Beyond this, the most politically active thing I have ever done is to fuss at CNN (I gave up on FOX when they reported the death of Pope John II hours before the he had died in April 2005). And for several months a few years ago I watched our county government meetings broadcast late at night on alternate Thursdays.
I told one of the county magistrates when I was buying a truck from him that it was better entertainment than Jay Leno. They seldom accomplished very much but their squabbles were reminiscent of The Three Stooges, only there were nine stooges on the county board of magistrates.
Sadly, the magistrate I told this to laughed and said, “I know exactly what you mean.”
I voted for him at the next election.
But no, in general, in reality, in truth, I am no activist.
Oh. Unless you count how I live my life.
The social climate for children has been deplorable for centuries. As a “storm flower” who endured a childhood of all flavors of abuse, including torture, at the hands of adoptive and step parents, I decided to become a clinical social worker. I have stood up in court on behalf of children and families, I have done individual, group, couples, and family casework and therapy for over thirty years. I have worked long hours, long days to expedite healing among children.
But I am no activist.
The social climate for people with HIV and AIDS, although improved, has been deplorable. I have provided individual and group therapy to people living with HIV and AIDS. I have been the contact person patients give to community health personnel when they wish to remain anonymous, and as such I have given countless clients the results of their tests. These have been trying and difficult moments.
But I am no activist.
I have worked with women and men who were the victims of rape and domestic violence. I have helped them as they rattle through the remains of their disrupted lives to devise survival strategies. Life strategies, I suggested to them. And they smiled and repeated, “Yes. Life strategies.”
But I am no activist.
Women continue to butt up against glass ceilings and glass walls. Again, oh, how far we have come, and oh, how far we have to go. I was told more than once in my early career that no matter how much education and experience I had I could never move much beyond entry level positions in my field. I said nothing at the time. I simply, quietly, deliberately moved beyond entry level positions in my field.
I have sat in the car late one night while the young biracial man sitting next to me was verbally harassed by three profiling police officers who wanted so much for him to retaliate. I put my hand on his knee and through gritted teeth said words I seldom say. “Shut up!” Actually, I inserted a couple of cuss words. It was all he could do not react to their taunts, but in the end we were allowed to drive away unharmed.
But I am no activist.
I have walked out of a gay bar late at night and watched from the shadows as police officers jotted down the license plates of cars in the parking lot. I have lost jobs and seen my friends and clients lose jobs because of our sexual orientation. We have been targeted and reviled. Some of us have angrily retaliated. I have not.
I have simply lived as responsibly as I know how, and have enjoyed a long and loving relationship with the most beautiful woman ever born. Helen of Troy has nothing on my Ella Rose. We have raised two wonderful children together, and enjoy a tranquil, friendly rapport with our neighbors and community.
There is no one in my world who is not clear about my sexual orientation. It has never been an issue for me, though in my younger days it did give a few folks quite a jolt.
But I am no activist.
There is a place for people who wave placards and yell chants, an important place. There is a place for people who speak encouraging rhetoric to large, cheering, protesting crowds. There is a place for people who pass out pamphlets and other educational materials calling for social change.
And there is a place for people who live quiet, fulfilling lives. We move through the world waving no flags, chanting no chants, marching no marches. But we are changing the world. We are saving the world. One moment at a time.
Let There Be Peace
written and played by Kit Duncan
on the Swamp Flute
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
M. C. S.
V.Corso
scanner
I Love Life
chemistrycourtney
Margaret Feike
Salon.com
Comments
You may not be so active with it.... buy you are an activist with your words.
I walked in a big demonstration in Seattle against the Iraq war with my daughter. It didn't help.
Owl - Yes, AMEN!!!!!
lemon - Thanks! This song, even in its revised version, has alot of sentimental value to me as well!
zanelle - Heck, I'm so darned peaceful some folks would accuse me of being plumb BORING!
Matt - I'm thinking there are many of us out here.
And zanelle - I meant to add - I think any kind of activism is, like writing or living or playing music, a seed - we never know where it'll land and what might spring forth!
anna - That is very much the point I wanted to make - that there are many flavors of activism! Thanks!!!
It was easier to continue to be an "activist" and gather facts, battle with my elected whozits as they come and go. I was more distant from the pain doing that and I could vent my frustrations on them.
Grateful you are living a quiet fulfilling life and changing the world.
I'm no activist, either.
Maybe you're right Kit, you're not an activist.
You're a warrior.
Rated for 'active living' (I like that Anna1liese :).
Very nicely done. I give it a double rate--figuratively, of course. I'd like to see you given another EP for this work.
Lezlie
Jonathan - Thanks you for that thought - it means a great deal to me!
happy - I suppose you're right - I hadn't really thought about it that way.
l'Heure Bleue - There are times when I do find it difficult to care. Sitting quietly with one of my instruments for a few minutes usually helps retrieve what I need. I usually keep several instruments handy at all times and will sometimes play a few songs between clients. And the Doe Run Inn Song Writing Retreat didn't hurt none, either!
Cranky - is this the first time we've shared the cover? I took a snapshot - in case you're keeping up, yes - I now have the full serving for formal dining. I can retire a happy woman!
Seer - I've never pictured myself as a warrior type. I may have to walk around with the image a bit and see how it fits. Thanks for expanding my horizons!
PWRD - Thanks for your thoughts!
Torman - I grinned as I read your comment. I reckon it really does take all kinds, don't it!?!
sophie - Well, I was going for being an acceptable model for my boy, and for not bringing down too much embarrassment to the memory of Mom and Pop, and for hopefully one day getting Miss Ella Rose to quit telling me to quit telling others that I know her. But I'm good with your comment!
froggy - Thanks! I don't know how well I do it, but I guess I do a better impersonation of myself than anyone I know - warts and all!
L - That is very kind of you to say. Quite honestly, until this morning I have been just a little ashamed that I wasn't more of an activist in the traditional sense. This has been an important day for me - it has challenged some old notions about who I am. Such days are precious to me, and I appreciate ya'll being part of this!
MissingK8 - LOL! Well, I'm not a bit surprised. I seldom even think of myself as a "lesbian" - I'm just a woman who happens to be in love with a woman. Like you, I'm not too keen on labels because so often they serve as divisions and not coherents.
Susan - Thanks! Frankly, the Crank Boy played my muse this morning - I left his post and thought long and hard about what he had written, and this is what came of that.
Sheila - Yes. I'm beginning to appreciate more clearly the need for many kinds of activism. Whatever brings about healthy change is good!
Persistent Muse - Exactly! I've long been a strong believer that modeling behavior is one of the greatest ways of teaching and implementing change. I do this so imperfectly, but I keep on doing it, as do many others.
Just Thinking - I really appreciate your words so much! Thank you for sharing these with us!
Yes you are, but quietly (play Jimmy Buffett's "Quietly Making Noise" sometime". For the way you live your life makes a difference in you and all around you.
Rated with hugs
My hat's off to you, Linda!
Oh, right. This was a great piece of writing, quite touching. Living well isn't the best revenge, though. Living rightly is.
sagemerlin - Thanks for your visit - I wouldn't have minded a little Art moment, except I'd've called it a "sage Moment."
Re the swamper - Sorry. This is a one of a kind flute. I don't know of any that is even tuned quite like this one, although I expect they do exist. But this one is not tuned to the so called "standard" Native American tuning, which is a clear pentatonic tuning.
Most NA style flutes are hand made, but are made from templates. This one was designed by a master woodsman from a willow branch he found floating in his swamp. He has made no other flutes using this kind of wood, and I don't know if there's anyone out there who has used willow for flutes.
Anyway - I know I'm going on a little long-winded - but I could talk about flutes in general, and my swamper in particular, all day long.
If you're interested in getting an NAF style flute I'll be happy to point you in the right direction. There's alot of variety in quality and prices. Please feel free to pm me with any questions etc. And thanks for stopping by!!!