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Recently I received a pin created by my District Leader of the Convention of States. It was intended to recognize and reward those of us who are making a contribution to the mission of establishing an Article V Convention. For more on Convention of States, go here.
Now I don’t crave a lot of recognition for anything I do, but let me tell you, this is a pin-and-a-half! It is 1.5 inches across, and it’s clear that our Leader wants us to know that volunteers are valued in a big way. The pin is colorful, and if I wear it, it will be hard to miss. In case you can’t read the wording, it says. “Self-Governing Florida Activist,” and “Shining Light on the Solution.” In small letters, it says “Convention of States Action,” which might inspire a conversation with others just to learn what it says.
I especially appreciated the term “self-governing,” which suggests that we all are responsible for the way we relate to, and act on governance, but more than that, I loved the term “activist.”
When I used to hear the term “activist,” I almost always thought of the Left and their radical agenda. They go beyond the accepted norms for sharing and actualizing their ideas, and I discount their credibility immediately. But when I began to reflect on being an activist myself for Republicans and Conservatives, I started to shift my perspective.
Although I haven’t attended rallies or demonstrations, I am taking a public position on my approach to protesting the overreach of the federal government, its irresponsible actions and lack of accountability. Adopting the mentality that I am an activist motivates me to continue to act in a public way, and to let people in my life know that this cause is important to me and to this country.
I think more of us need to somehow engage in saving this country, whether it’s through petitions, reminding people to vote, voting ourselves, volunteering for a campaign and knocking on doors, being poll watchers and doing our best to influence others in participating in the democratic process.
So, now I’m not only a blogger on Ricochet and Convention of States, and an article writer.
I am an activist!
Are you?
Discussion (11)
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When you die, you stop being an activist.
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It sounds like you're saying a person is an activist as long as he or she is alive. I don't agree. And when I die, I'll willingly give up the label.
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I'm hoping that some of you will share you "activist stories"; I know some of you are volunteers and would set a great example for others.
MODERATOR
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One of the problems with striving to be an activist is the little it seems to do. That is not a critique, it is a recognition that for any activist there needs to a “force multiplier”. Thus, a lot of time an energy goes into creating the multiplier and not much progress occurs until that is achieved. That is why they talk about “the long march through the institutions”. I participated in two demonstrations in California against Covid restrictions with zero effect. There were quite a few people there, but apparently not enough — it was not a force multiplier event in that place and time.
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I was taking the word literally, which I will continue to do, because I always look at the literal meanings of words alongside their more common usage. But for many, even the writer of a recent WSJ article that I posted here, the term seems to be synonymous with leftists-doing-leftist-things. I am glad you're using the label the way you are. Maybe it will confuse some people who are not as confused as they ought to be.
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