WHISPER
Cindy Maddera
Photo from Karen Walrond
I’m listening. I went a little deaf for a while. Honestly I have been overwhelmed and closing off my ears and a tiny bit of my brain was required for self preservation. But I’m listening now. I am listening to hear that whisper of a thought that sparks a more organized activism. Up until now I’ve just been throwing dollars randomly at causes and charities. It was the only thing I could think of to do because I don’t feel I have much else to offer. I am not a bake sale kind of person. I like the idea of attending protests in theory, but crowds freak me out and I have doubts that standing in a crowd with a sign really does anything. My activism is more quiet and subtle. I vote. I stay informed on what bills are being presented and how my senators and representatives are voting. I contact those senators and representatives and that’s pretty much it.
Karen’s prompt for the Lightmaker’s Team this week comes from Brad Montague, the creative mind behind Kid President. Here is what Karen had to say about one of the lessons she has learned from Brad.
I'd argue that in fact, some of the most sustainable movements In the world happen because there's this nagging thing that won't let go of you, a notion that keeps returning, causing you to furrow your brow and mutter, "that's not right. That *can't* be right."
This is why I am still writing the same email every week to the MO Governor and Mo Attorney General about Kevin Strickland and Lamar Johnson. There is a deep nagging feeling inside me that screams that the continued incarceration of these two innocent men CAN NOT be right. There is also the knowledge that these two men are not alone. There are a countless number of predominantly black men who are incarcerated for crimes they did not commit. So I keep the sticky note with the names of Kevin Strickland and Lamar Johnson on my desktop to remind me to keep writing and calling and supporting candidates who want to meaningfully reform this fucked up criminal justice system.
Right now, I’m listening for something louder than a whisper to tell me what to do next. Karen’s book is coming out in just a few short weeks. Pre order your copy of The Light Maker’s Manifesto today!