"The most effective answer to this leadership vacuum would be a new era of political activism by ordinary citizens. The biggest, most far-reaching changes of the past century — the labor movement, the civil rights movement, the women’s movement — were not primarily the result of elective politics, but rather the hard work of committed citizen-activists fed up with the status quo. It’s time for thoughtful citizens to turn off their TVs and step into the public arena. Protest. Attend meetings. Circulate petitions. Run for office. I suspect the public right now is way ahead of the politicians when it comes to ideas about creating a more peaceful, more equitable, more intelligent society."
- Bob Herbert, New York Times columnist.
2 comments:
it seems like often times it takes some sort of tragety or oppression to get people to act. i wonder how this would apply in a church type context.
We have become so inwardly focused that there may no issue left that would get one to take their thoughts off their own life and quest for personal comfort. As this western mentality quietly spreads thoughout society, it will only be when a personal tragety occurs that on will realize that they have isolated themself on an island of selfishness, receiving the kind of help and support that they demonstrated. There is little desire to lead(to care for others) or be led(cared by others). We are not short of ideas, just short of motivation.
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