It’s been an exhausting 15 months for progressive-minded activists and volunteers. Mounting a resistance to attacks on our Democracy, the Constitution, the Rule of Law, and the degradation of the U.S.’s reputation throughout the world is an all-day, every day slog for many of us. But we have to. There is no alternative.
Being outraged at whatever is threatening a cause you hold dear is easy. Expressing that outrage to friends and family over coffee, wine or on Facebook is also easy, and really gratifying. It feels so good to express outrage on Facebook. It can even sometimes feel like you’ve Done Something. And you have. Sort of. Awareness is important. But, it’s only the first step. To stop at awareness is to assume you’ve reaped the benefits of the marathon, simply by showing up to the starting line with your sneakers on and laces tied.
Having an impact - changing minds, levels of knowledge or behavior – requires you to act. And act. And act. Then, act some more. Activism is hard. For one thing, it’s extremely inconvenient. It doesn’t call when you are completely free, full of energy, already fed, on your day off, or able to get a babysitter. Activism calls on that cold, rainy Tuesday night after work and before dinner. It doesn’t care if you haven’t eaten and won’t for three more hours. It calls you on a beautiful Saturday morning when you’d rather get out in the yard and plant bulbs. It calls Sunday, when it’s your first free day to yourself because someone else has the kids and you really need a haircut, a round of golf or just a milkshake. It calls you Wednesday afternoon when the boss wants that document by 8 am and your favorite show just dropped on Netflix, and you can’t get a babysitter even if you COULD go.
In addition to being incredibly inconvenient, activism takes tremendous commitment and perseverance. Every day will not be a win. In fact, more often than not, smart people will not agree with you. They will make crazy assumptions, cite flawed information, and say some really uninformed thing, then vote the wrong way. Setbacks will happen. People who disagree with you will get in your face. They may even insult you. You will want to give up. But you cannot. You can’t quit. In fact, when things go south is exactly when you have to double down and try harder. Too much is at stake.
Many times since I started volunteering with Moms Demand Action I have wanted to quit. Ending gun violence, while an enormously popular idea, is excruciatingly difficult work. Though the majority of Americans want common sense gun laws, a startlingly low number of people are willing to do the actual work to make it happen. They are busy. Or they are afraid to speak up or take action. Or, they believe they can’t have an impact. I used to be those things. But innocent people kept getting killed. The number of preventable deaths continued to grow. There became so many deaths, accidental and on purpose, so often, everywhere, that I began to actually fear for my own children. That fear drives me.
That fear is why I act and I don't quit. It’s what gets me out of bed early Saturday. What sends me out into the rain Tuesday night without dinner. It’s what makes me spend time, money, energy and tears. The fact is, my kids likely are not going to be gunned down, but somebody else's kids are. So I am trying my best to prevent it. Maybe you will join me in this effort. Or maybe there’s another cause that holds your heart. My point is, stop simply being angry and outraged and go do something about it. We need every last one of you.
