Be the Change

By Suzanne St. John-Crane CEO
(Class XXV / Urbanism XXXIV) 
 
What a week. What a month. What a few years we’ve endured. Regardless of where you find yourself on the political spectrum, I would imagine you feel the same. As a mother of two girls – ages 11 and 14 – I’ve struggled with the right thing to say, the right way to explain what they’re witnessing in our country. It’s no accident that depression and anxiety have spiked among our youth with social media providing a fertile ground for breeding despair.
The divisive rhetoric, political violence, unprecedented actions and language coming from the highest office in the land, can only mean that we must double down on living the ALF ideals of dialogue – not divisiveness – across difference. We must be the change we seek in the world.
I’ve had many conversations with Fellows, Senior Fellows, Affinity Groups and colleagues about what we’re witnessing and what we can do. The question I’m leading with is this. How are we perpetuating hate, misinformation and divisiveness? Are we always pointing the finger at “them,” creating a deeper divide? How far out of our liberal / conservative filter bubble are we going? Are we leading with love or blame?
As I prepare for both our Leading with Purpose retreat and Agents of Change – a public conversation with Sojourners Founder Jim Wallis, Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian and Ela Gandhi on 11/13 – I’m reminded of the many trials and tribulations we’ve endured and indeed overcome in our world. Ela’s story alone of having been under house arrest for nine years during apartheid, and losing a son in the war, gives me pause and gratitude for the many, many resources and opportunities we have.
One opportunity we share as Americans is the right to vote. As we brace for November 6 and the results that follow, take a moment to look in the mirror and do a check in. What is the context I’m holding as I make decisions heading to the ballot box? How will I show up in the world the day after? What can I do to ensure a healthy democracy and future that’s better than our present?
I send you all compassion and peace as we move through these trying times. Proud to stand with you in the ALF network!