I attended the October 18 No Kings event in Issaquah. I am a member of the leadership team for East Shore’s Organize To Respond (OTR). We had representatives at both the Overlake and Issaquah events. We had 50+ members from East Shore attending the two combined events plus many at other events around western
Washington. At the Issaquah event, we had the bonus of having Craig Nelsen and David Edfeldt providing us with guitar and ukulele support music to help us through the protest songs and chants they provided via QR code links.
Later that afternoon, I found myself asking ‘what was my purpose in doing that’? Did I really make a difference? Was my message heard? What was my real message? What did I hope to achieve? Hmmm
Then I happened to come across Jane Goodall‘s Netflix presentation “Famous Last Words“. If you’re inclined, it’s well worth your time. She talks about the difficult times that we live in. It was filmed with the intention of it being aired after her death. One of her messages was that we all have a reason for being. We all have a purpose in life. I agree with her when she says we need to find that purpose. The cool thing is that we each get to choose. I have often said if I’m not part of the solution that I’m part of the problem. I have to do something. At this point in my life, I’m choosing activism.
I was surprised how invigorating the No Kings protest was for me. I have been frustrated by the direction I’ve been seeing things go in the leadership of our country and by knowing that our democracy is supposed to be built to be able to deal with and share that frustration and actually make a change. When I returned home and watched the many YouTube videos of the demonstrations around the country it fed me to know that I was there doing my part. It also fed me to know that there is some momentum in building people’s willingness to speak up and to do something. I felt a little bit better. Seeing the millions of participants gives me hope.
Another of Jane Goodall’s messages: Don’t give up hope
Did I make a difference? Yes, I was one dot in the collection that became 7 million of dots around the world.
My purpose: to continue building a collective movement to speak out peacefully. I think eventually we will be heard.
What was my real message? I love my community. I love my country and I think the direction we’re heading is the wrong direction.
What did I achieve? I encouraged others to join in and I think some actually did thanks to my efforts. I also wanted it to be a joyful experience and it was for me and I think I saw enough smiling faces to tell me it was for many others. Come join us next time.
by Mark Norelius, Organize To Respond