Ready or not, a change is going to come. The gaps that have previously separated the semi haveâs from the ultimate have-notâs are closing, and Americans are being bonded by a sense of urgency to see immediate change. Our beloved country is drowning her members unable to swim in deep waters. Meanwhile the rest of us are barely treading water, and becoming increasingly tired doing so. The mantra of change Barack Obama is running his campaign on isn’t popular because it’s catchy or clever; we’ve clung to the slogan because we’ve been quietly mumbling it to ourselves at home, to our friends and family, for the past seven and a half years.
For much longer than reasonable, we’ve been pushed against a wall where the option to be all you can be is diminishing. [Sidebar: Just after I typed the last word of that sentence a commercial for the US Army came on. It's almost as if I wrote it into fruition. I'm not a superstitious gal, but to be sure... A check with the exact amount of money I'll need to pay off my bills and my graduate school tuition will be in my mailbox tomorrow.] Self-actualization is beginning to seem elusive, like a fantasy Maslow concocted to get one over on future psychology students.
Fortunately, optimism is what this country is made of. No matter how dire the straits, how desperate the conditions, we gather up the hope necessary to affect the change we desire to see. When I drive past the gas station and see $4.57 I’m discouraged, but not despaired because I know that as much as it sucks to have to spend $62.00 to fill my Hyundai Sonata, this can’t last forever. Conditions won’t always be so unfavorable. The conditions will change because there are people who want it to.
In addition to the politicians actively engaged on the campaign trail, many groups and individuals are mobilizing into action. The American Democracy Institute (ADI), a non-profit organization dedicated to education and empowering of young people to affect positive social change, is one of these groups. Founded by a Clinton campaign staffer, the group has created an integrated and interactive network designed to position leaders â in all fields â to manifest the change the democratic party preaches. The ADI held a mixer last week at Republic, a high-end steakhouse featuring newsworthy mashed potatoes and a healthy serving of irony, for young democrats looking to join the movement. The event wasn’t intended to persuade attendees to vote for or against any party in particular; on the contrary, it’s hosts’ only objective was to gather like-minded individuals together in a non-threatening, relaxed environment.
The American Democracy Institute is currently hosting seminars and workshops (live and online) to teach upcoming leaders the skills required to affect the change we so desperately need. If you’re like me, and not politically minded, don’t be discouraged from browsing their site. ADI’s agenda is to teach young Americans how to use their skill set, in their chosen professions, to accomplish positive social and political change.
The current economic and political climate won’t last forever, but it will be prolonged if we don’t act now. There are a number of organizations in your area that will provide an avenue for you to get involved. If you’re not sure where to begin, try starting with the American Democracy Institute. At the very least you can see a picture of me on their gallery posing prom-style with a complete stranger. That outta make it worth your trip.
Photo via EmpowerChange.Org
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