Sometimes I hear a word that stays in my mind. It’s saying, “Pay attention.” What is it telling me?
At Moral Monday Carter Heyward asked us all to think about what gives us hope, in a way that for me seemed to write the word in the air.
Among other people, Sam replied. He said he’s talked with many local Democrats lately who are concerned about the present dangers to our democracy, and they are enthusiastic about taking action. Action. This gives him hope.
We were home by 6:30 in time to watch our county School Board meeting live-streamed. After public comment the Board would vote on whether to continue the indoor mask mandate.
From the start the camera position created a sense of order. The 3-minute speaking time was displayed. The speaker’s face was not highlighted. The audience was not shown, though applause gave a sense of the size of the supporters for either side of the mandate.
Chair Tawny McCoy twice objected to speakers’ content, saying “We’re not naming names.” And when a speaker asked the audience to raise hands, saying, “Who in here is a Democrat?”, Ms. McCoy said, “We’re not doing that.”
Later, following a data report showing that COVID has been reduced in the schools this month, the Board quickly voted 4-1 to keep the mask mandate in place.
This meeting was different from the previous ones where emotions were in charge, with threats implied in some public comments, and fear in the air. It gave me hope.
Hope. I think of two women in our culture who are known for that word, Emily Dickinson and Jane Goodall.
Dickinson’s Hope lives in everyone’s soul, always ready to inspire action.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
Goodall asks us to trust the young. Her life’s example shows we must also partner with them.
In all my lectures and books, I focus on reasons for hope. … Todays’ young people—everywhere I go—they’re so excited and empowered. We’re listening to their voices. That gives us a reason to hope.
Let’s keep Carter’s question in the air. What is your reason for hope? What one thing can you do today to put it into action?
I love the Dickinson quote! Let's do whatever we all can to feed hope. We are living in treacherous times.
Hope, put into action like prayer, accomplishes things. Fear sometimes is necessary but often feeds on itself as yeast raises dough, but buries hope.