Organizing for change
02/16/2010

Yesterday, 500 other progressives and I gathered at USF for an all-day conference on "Supporting Obama to BE the President We Voted For." Sponsored primarily by Rabbi Michael Lerner's Network of Spiritual Progressives, Tikkun.org, and The Nation magazine, the conference spoke to the profound disappointment and even anger many progressives feel at the gap between Obama the Visionary Candidate and Obama the 'Realistic' President.  Speakers included Rev. Alfred Smith Sr., of the Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, who spoke about the racism inherent in not criticizing Obama's policies because he's black; Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Global Exchange and CodePink, on standing up for peaceful solutions in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq; Peter Gabel, author of The Bank Teller, on reclaiming the hope Obama inspired us to; Dr. Len Saputo on healthcare reform; Reese Erlich, reporter and Afghanistan correspondent, on the situation on the ground in that country; Riane Eisler, on the real wealth of nations; Swami Beyondananda, on levity to counter gravity; Rabbi Lerner, on mobilizing; and Marianne Williamson, on speaking truth to power.

I attended a break-out session facilitated by Miki Kashtan, Nonviolent Communication teacher, whose topic was "Fearless, Loving Critique."  Her first request was that we close our eyes and reconnect with the vision that Obama had inspired us to; or if not that vision, our own vision of the world we believed in and were willing to work for.  She pointed out that when we reconnected with that vision, it empowered and inspired us.  Whereas when we connect with our disappointment in our failure or the world's failure to implement it (yet), we disempower and defeat ourselves.

Then she asked us to identify what stopped us from acting on our vision.  What were the obstacles that most often get in our way.

I volunteered the grief I feel when I realize that someone doesn't agree with me--or even holds a contrary vision, as in "America is LOSING its world domination," as if that's an outrage and Obama is responsible for it.  That grief shuts me down and makes me turn away; I won't even engage in conversation with someone I suspect is going to trigger it.

Miki responded: "Gandhi said that violence is mastering the art of killing; but non-violence is mastering the art of dying." 

Not that you actually will die if you have practice it, but you have to be willing to experience pain.  You have to be willing to engage it, stand in it, and share your vision.  And if you are willing to do that, it is the most powerful demonstration you can give to another.

She pointed out that most people aren't swayed by facts or arguments.  We collect those we agree with and discard those we don't.  But people are moved by vision.  And most likely even the people who agree with us share our vision of a more just and caring world.  They just have convinced themselves it's "unrealistic." 

By willing to engage our grief and stand up for our vision, we can inspire others to join us...eventually proving that it is not unrealistic, it is the only sane way to live on this planet.