Not Burning The Flag - But Not A Happy American Either
January 9, 2008 | In Making A Diff. Lifestyle |
I had this idea for a series of posts on fear. I would talk about the fear I have that’s holding me back from reaching my dreams of being an activist. I imagined discussing fear that it’s too late, fear that no one cares, and fear that it’s too much and I’ll just give up. I started to write that series. I got the first part done, and a few sentences into the second part, I hit this wall of anger at the United States Government that my post, had I published it as it was, might have gotten me arrested as a terrorist.
Photo by sternezeichen
See, fear underlies so many things in this country. At least that’s what I perceive. The government has done so many things that I disagree with my head is spinning. It’s gotten me so scared that I wonder why I even fight for the environment - shouldn’t I be fighting for something more immediate? Civil rights for my friends? A better economy so I can afford to buy food, let alone organic food? I have the baseline of fear whenever I start to think about the environment because it leads to bigger fears about the direction of this country and all the problems with our political system.
Not Everyone Agrees
Of course, there are many Americans who agree with me. And many who do not. And then there are many who aren’t Americans who don’t understand those who don’t agree with me, and those who don’t understand where I’m coming from. I mean, who am I to speak out against my government? Don’t I have many good things in life? Aren’t I privileged?
It’s difficult for me to speak about my fear without also speaking of my political views. I’m afraid that it’s too late to reverse the worst of the environmental damage. I’m afraid that I’m the only one who cares and that I can’t make a difference. I’m afraid that I’ll get overwhelmed and give up. And I’m terrified by the staggering facts and statistics on what is wrong, as well as the hold that the religious right and big business has. I’m terrified of the outcome of the next presidential election. But more than anything else, I’m terrified that there isn’t any hope left.
How Do We Keep Hope?
When cities are filled with crime, people don’t have health insurance and they can’t afford to buy milk and bread, why should they care about the environment? When we stand up and speak passionately, elect someone we believe will improve us, and ancient rules that don’t make any sense in the computer age make the results irrelevant, how do we keep hope?
How do we find the money to support environmental efforts when taxes are raised to bomb the middle east? How do we fight for health care for everyone when the government only cares about settling an old debt? How do the few who care fight against the many who feel somehow entitled to rape and pillage? Who feel that they are here on this Earth to do with it what they please? How do we keep hope that things can get better?
These are some of the questions I’ve struggled with this week. Not only struggled to answer for myself, but struggled to articulate for my readers. I’m certain I’m not alone, but there are times it feels that way.
But, I Haven’t Given Up Yet
Yet, I’m still writing. I haven’t given up. That must mean that I still have a little bit of hope left. And until that hope dies, I’ll keep fighting. Because I can’t give up. Too many have already done that before me. I’ll keep fighting, not only for the environment, but for what’s right.
If any part of what I said hit a chord with you, I invite you to leave a comment below.
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It’s striking that within a few years of ‘beating Russia’ the Anglo-Saxon countries (I live in Australia) turned themselves into the kind of police states which Russia had been (and looks like becoming again).
This is an illustration at a national level of the personal psychology that: you become what you hate.
There are some signs of hope. In Australia there is a phenomenon called ‘downshifting’ (not confined to Australia of course). In a report by the Australia Institute it was found that in 5 years 25% of people had voluntarily simplified their lifestyle (excluding those returning to study and retirees).
A big problem I think is that there are so few outlets for the views of these kinds of people (in this blogs may be very important).
Yours in hope,
Evan
On the one hand, I’m a very isolated American. I’m not really familiar with politics in other countries. I presume by Anglo-Saxon Countries you are referring to the UK and America? Does that include Australia? Ah, either way, from my limited view, it appears that George W. Bush (the president I didn’t elect), is leading this country in a hand basket…if you get my drift.
I won’t get too into politics in this reply (because I believe I will have to get into it more when I start figuring out how to actually affect the environment in a positive way), but I will say that I believe that the idea of “manifest destiny” is still alive and well in America.
I’m pretty sure that this was an idea from the days of British colonization. Which, of course, America started as. Except, we haven’t given it up. So many Americans seem to have this idea that the world is their oyster to do with as they please. And, everyone else must feel the same way because that way is right.
Um, NO! Ahem. I really do not understand why America’s foreign policy seems to be that the entire world needs to be a democracy. There are other forms of government that work and not everyone thinks that America is the best model anyway. Well, at least I don’t. And I’m sure I’m not alone.
But, moving on. I’ve heard of the ‘downshifting’ idea, and it has appeal to me. I’m not ready to go as far as No Impact Man (who for one year lived so as to have no net environmental impact), but I’m ready to start doing more than just recycling and hosting my blog with solar power.
By the way, this is just one more thing I can add to my list of “things I love about Australia”. Already on the list is the idea that treating a medical condition with lifestyle changes is a better idea than throwing pills at the problem, which is what happens in the medical community in America. Oh boy, that’s another rant I could go on.
I’m learning that Australia is much worse off for having water than we are here in the States. However, if it wasn’t for the internet, I never would have heard of the 4 minute shower timer or downshifting. I love how the internet not only opens my mind to other ways of life, connects me to others (like you!), but also shows me that there is still hope in the world.
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