Regardless of votes or political loyalties, there is no denying we’ve lost confidence when it comes to governance in America. We didn’t need numerous incidents of executive overreach in the past week to make it any clearer.
According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in Spring 2024, 72% of Americans say that democracy in the U.S. used to be a good example for other countries to follow but has not been in recent years.
We may be inclined to interpret this finding based on personal political leanings, but that’s misdirected. Because if American democracy is government of, by and for the people, then this statistic is as searing an indictment of all of us as it is for any political leader or party.
There could be a million reasons for our diminished view, but this goes beyond our individual relationship with the government. This cuts right to the heart of how we see ourselves and what we feel we have the power to do.
As a grassroots organizer in the movement to end poverty, I connect with people who are concerned about worsening wealth inequality. This is a systemic problem that impacts more and more people each day, particularly in West Virginia, which has the fourth-highest poverty rate in the country.
Even when we care very deeply about an issue, though, that doesn’t always translate into seeing ourselves as people who have the power to influence the outcome or solve the problem. To a great extent, we don’t consider ourselves activists.
This can be compounded by a simple knowledge or skill deficit that keeps us from reaching out to elected leaders. We aren’t sure who represents us, how to go about actually getting in touch with those folks, or even what to say if we meet them. Other times, it’s the fear of being alone when speaking up for change and the judgment that it may bring. Both encourage us to be passive when it comes to democratic decision-making, but these things are easily overcome when we align ourselves as activists.
The word activist is defined simply as a person who campaigns to bring about political or social change. While this can be seen in acts of defiance and protest, in my experience, some of the most effective progress is also the product of the quiet consistency of relationship building rooted in respect and common values.
Consider the many times we’ve likely already engaged in activism. Volunteering time to a local cause, donating to a fundraiser, or writing a letter to the local newspaper — those are all activities in pursuit of change. Things as simple as making phone calls and talking with friends and neighbors are parts of activism, too. Surely, we can see ourselves doing any one of these things, and quite likely we already have.
We are more equipped for this work than we think. If we care about the example of democracy that America sets for the rest of the world, it’s gut check time. This is when we take a hard look at ourselves and decide who we are, what values guide our lives, and how we’ll make a difference.
Once we’ve done that, the rest is easy. If it’s awareness or skills we lack, plenty of local and national organizations are only a web search away. If it’s a supportive community that might make all the difference, they’re out there, too, ready to welcome us and speak up for change alongside us.
Once we’ve embraced an activist identity, there’s no more passive acceptance of the status quo, especially where government and politics are concerned. Here at the beginning of a new presidential administration and just before the start of the state legislature’s regular session, it’s especially important that we take this to heart.
Remember, no one can do everything, but everyone can do something. It’s up to no one else but us to shape the kind of government we are proud of.
