A carefully tended cauldron of Your Stone Soup will bring forth a deliciously complex bowl of comfort, inspiration, activism, and collective nourishment. The making of the soup has potential to support knowing, trusting, and seeing a way forward. Will this help to re-invigorate American democracy? Who knows? Will it help readers and writers who care about such things to share in an activity toward a greater good? I hope so. As the executive chef, I’ll light the fire beneath our cauldron and provide the base ingredient. Your ingredients can then be added (see Guidelines for Comments). The soups are bound to have a variety of flavors and seasonings, but they will have in common an intention to contribute to a greater good.
Democracy comes from the Greek word, "demos," meaning people. In democracies, it is the people who hold sovereign power over legislators and government. Democracies are committed to individual sovereignty, civil discourse, dignity, human rights, equality, tolerance, cooperation, and compromise. Cornerstones of a democratic society include free and fair elections and freedom of expression, speech, religion, and peaceful assembly. Key democratic principles include citizen participation, free press, political transparency, multi-party systems and/or governing branches with checks and balances to avoid absolute power by any one party or dictatorship; and operating under an established rule of law upheld by an unbiased judicial system. While democracy upholds majority rule, and the peaceful transfer of power, it also fervently protects the rights of individuals and minorities with opposing viewpoints. That all sounds very civil, doesn’t it?
Sadly, the civil aspect of democracy in the good ole’ US of A has been in decades of decline. When political things appear to be falling apart or beyond our control, these stances: "I don't discuss religion or politics" “other people will fix this, “what is happening in DC doesn’t affect me” “I'm too busy working to follow politics” "the pendulum will swing at the midterms" “who cares about democracy? I need cheaper eggs” are at times useful coping mechanisms. They can palliate anxiety but lack the impact of active citizen participation that can create meaningful change.
Quiet Activism
It has become crystal clear that in some communities, there is paralyzing fear and anxiety about the death of democracy (and the current rise of autocracy). This halts meaningful conversations between neighbors, families, friends, and government representatives. It is also apparent that the old saying “the one with the most toys wins.” Citizen nonparticipation has opened the door for billionaires to gobble up power and resources that would better serve everyday people and a greater good. In non-billionaire circles (which is the majority of us everyday people), “us and them” attitudes and alternative facts have damaged civil discourse and stunted citizen participation in democracy. Gerrymandering, low voter turnout, and a culture of violence and bullying have resulted in what seems to be democracy’s twilight hour. Or maybe it is democracy’s dawn? We shall. see.
Here is where quiet activism comes into play. First, let’s remember that our tax dollars are paying the salaries of our elected officials. They are the people crafting policies that affect our daily lives. I am certainly guilty of complaining or silently seething about politics instead of making those calls! That behavior is now in the rear-view mirror (I’ve got reps on speed dial). Quiet activism may sound like an oxymoron, but I think it's safe to say that some engagement in strengthening democracy is better than none. I know that many readers may not feel empowered or equipped to call or write representatives, join a protest march, or attend a town hall in dissent. That’s ok! I believe there are many innovative ways to take action in the spirit of preserving democratic principles, standing in solidarity with minorities, and holding space for inclusivity and equal rights.
Anthropologist, Margaret Mead famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." To that end, Your Stone Soup is a place for shared empathy, innovation, collaboration, and quiet activism supportive of community and our fragile democracy. My writing will focus on the practical and ontological concerns about democracy that cross my desk daily from a diverse community. It will also include simple action steps and remedies to meet these concerns. I will attempt weekly(ish) menu updates to keep the dialogue inviting, fresh, comforting, and savory. Your contributions will enrich the soup. Together, we can attempt something that (with a pinch of hope and a dash of trust) will work toward achieving a greater good. Stay tuned to read about the upcoming menu. Bon Appétit!