Act Crazy

Your inspiration for the week...

Leymah Gbowee won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for mobilizing women to end the Liberian civil war. Gbowee (pronounced Bowie) is a staunch supporter of democracy, women’s rights, and education. I heard her speak in 2014.  Her advice to people who want to make a difference is: 

1. Find the thing that keeps you up at night.

2. Think of something you can do. Now. If people think you're crazy, you're probably on the right track. 

3. Find your supporters. They'll be a crazy as you, or at least support your craziness.

Her 2014 crazy idea was a commitment to make sure every Ebola orphan is fed and housed. 

https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2011/gbowee-bio.html

You can also follow her continuing crazy adventures on Facebook.

People Power

…is a new grassroots advocacy project of the ACLU.  Their first campaign, back in March, was “Freedom Cities.”  People answering a social media invitation were asked to organize and approach their local law enforcement agencies to advocate for nine policies that protect law-abiding immigrants from deportation.  Teams approached my local Irvine, Costa Mesa, and Huntington Beach police departments and discussed policing policies that affect immigrants.  What they found was mostly good news: these policies were in place.  And those police departments noticed that someone cares.  Meanwhile, the same questions were being asked all over the country, and groups organized to take action against unjust policies.  

People Power’s current campaign, “Let People Vote”, aims to increase voter access.  Anti-democratic deep-pocket donors are demanding laws that suppress voter participation across the country. Voting laws are different in every state. California groups are concentrating on implementation of same day voting (and other accessibility improvements) through implementation of SB450, the “Voter’s Choice Act.”   SB450 allows, but does not mandate, counties to use a new statewide database to allow early voting, late and even same-day (conditional) registration, and voting at any vote center in the county.  And it saves counties money!  Now we must convince counties to implement SB450.

Hosting a “Let People Vote” kickoff event, I met a group of passionate people who needed information and direction.  Seeking to provide it, I learned about the new law, our county’s plans to implement it (or not), and about voter registration and participation in my area.  I am a new member of the League of Women Voters too!  They care deeply about voter access, and produce the best information on local elections, at votersedge.org. We are building the road as we walk it, but we are learning, and we will make a difference.