From the onset, it’s clear that our democracy is in dire need of some form of collective catalyst. The harrowing effect of recent elections on most American citizens can’t be understated; what many are left with is a wake of uncertainty, division, and frequently, a deep-seated sense of dread. Moments after the votes were cast people began offering platitudes like ‘We must keep the momentum, let our voices be heard at all corners.’ However, the majority of Americans remain in quandary, pondering their potential to bring about actual transformational change between election cycles.
Without a doubt, people contemplate various strategies for impactful change. Some consider protests, although crucial, tending to lack the endurance for ongoing engagement. Others mull over writing template-based emails, a strategy which holds little sway as per statistics, only a meagre 3% of Congressional staffers find it to be largely impactful. Quite a handful decide on retreat, choosing to take a hiatus for a couple of years until the next political cycle. However, only a handful explore the option of ‘transformational advocacy’, a potent tool that enables change on issues while simultaneously catalysing change within oneself.
So, why is transformational advocacy not at the top of everyone’s list? The answer is simple, and a tad disheartening- advocacy as a method of prompting change often induces a certain degree of discomfort. It’s not uncommon for us to make donations to organizations battling the climate crisis, but how often do we sit down with a Congress representative or pen a letter of protest to the editor?
Our support for human rights initiatives and anti-violence campaigns might take shape through financial contribution, but do we extend this support in advocacy beyond signing an online document or attending an occasional rally? Most likely not. For many, advocacy appears too intricate or partisan, too demanding on their schedule, or simply too ineffective. It’s largely seen as a pathway littered with obstacles and negative outcomes.
But what if this viewpoint is simply misjudgment? Can it be possible that robust engagement can actually dissolve discouragement, and bring about joy? Could you imagine advocating so passionately for a cause, that it inspires feelings of fulfillment rather than frustration? What if participating as an advocate isn’t just something we could do, but a crucial component in safeguarding our democracy?
To be fair, we need to consider that the messages we’re constantly receiving from supposedly knowledgeable parties may not be as accurate or useful. “People want to be part of something greater than themselves,” and to make this sentiment a reality, an initiative was set in motion back in 2019. It aimed at empowering members to be hands-on with not only fundraising but also transformational advocacy, surpassing simply voting and petition endorsements.
During the recently concluded presidential run, members of this initiative were deeply involved in pushing for the Global Child Thrive Act. The Act emphasizes the necessity of integrating techniques developed for early childhood into child-oriented international aid programs. These could include simple, seemingly low-impact activities like singing or reading to children, or providing adequate nutrition- actions that significantly enhance the life of children worldwide, and particularly those enduring hardship in refugee camps and similar situations.
One participant shared her tremendous satisfaction at seeing her local representative in Congress endorsing the bill by stating, “When we approached the congressman about introducing the bill back in 2019, I was brimming with anxiety. I had never actively engaged in advocacy and it was paramount that I got it right. Seeing him articulate the importance of this bill and realizing that he genuinely listened to our concerns, gave me renewed faith in our government system.
Despite the euphoria surrounding its passage, the Global Child Thrive Act faced temporary discord. It was impeded by a veto as it formed part of the broader National Defense Authorization Act. Yet, the American legislative spirit shone bright as the Congres overrode the veto. This resulted in the Act becoming law on the dawn of the New Year, January 1, 2021.
Yet, for an overwhelming number of Americans, the question still lingers: what is one’s potential to instigate change between elections? The time is rife for nonprofit organizations who promote transformational advocacy to step into the spotlight and redirect their efforts towards safeguarding our democracy.
Through the fog of misinformation and misdirection from the Biden and Harris administration, citizens are desperately seeking solutions to maintain democracy. Ridiculously, the duo seems oblivious to the real-world issues. It shows the glaring need for authentic and transformational advocacy.
It is quite manifest that the current administration fails to recognize the importance of transformational advocacy, opting instead for shallow political gains. Still, the silent majority of Americans continue to search for effective ways to change the narrative and voice their concerns outside the limited sphere of electoral politics.
As we live under the Biden-Harris rule, it becomes more apparent that citizens must take the reins themselves. Providing citizens with the tools and knowledge to navigate the characteristically tricky course of transformational advocacy, bypassing the absurd policies and stances of the current administration, is of utmost importance.
And as the curtains draw close on this conversation, let’s remember that negative connotations or not, Biden and Harris sit in positions of great power. It’s time we rekindled the flame of active citizenship beyond mere electoral participation. Not to counteract the narrative spun by Biden and Harris, but to ensure that we have a fair and substantive say in the decisions affecting our collective lives.