Thoughts from the Roller Coaster

In the messy landscape that we find ourselves in, going back to basics will center us. There is a way out if you feel stuck — reconnect to your WHY, your underlying passion and motivation. 

In the messy landscape that we find ourselves in, going back to basics will center us. There is a way out if you feel stuck — reconnect to your WHY, your underlying passion and motivation. 

By Katherine White

When you find yourself on a political roller coaster or buffeted around like a jellyfish in a stormy sea, how do you keep your balance? Honesty and kindness can help steady us. They are my guiding stars for the work ahead.

Being honest about how each of us is feeling right now is important to moving beyond anger, resentment, frustration, sadness, powerlessness, confusion or wherever you are at this moment.  Even as you secretly tune in another Bulwark podcast or pundit for a flicker of comfort that “we got this”, be honest.

The threat of MAGA taking power is deadly serious.

Of course we don’t need another lecture about the danger of Trump.  His ascendancy sparked the Women’s March, then the hundreds of organic groups that rose up to counter this madness, and now the thousands working in concert across the nation to elect democrats. We do this work because we care deeply about our country. We are motivated by our values, inspired by the people, groups, and leaders in this movement.

Ask yourself a simple question: Why am I doing this? Understanding your WHY brings you back to the place you started from. So list your reasons for working so hard, then tape the list of WHY on the wall. Read it, repeat it.

1. “I do this to protect my daughter’s right to equal opportunity.”

2. I do this to make sure my children can make their own decisions about when and how to have children. 

3. “I want my LBGTQ friends to be safe. . .” 

And I’ll bet my left foot that your list doesn't say: “I am doing this for Joe Biden or Kamala Harris.”  Or “I am doing this for the party.” Am I right? Connect to your WHY and focus on where you will make a difference.

At this moment, let’s take time to listen to each other with kindness. In a respectful manner, give people space and grace to unload their feelings, fears, or insights.  Even if we are not unified on the problem or the solution, making blanket statements or dismissing someone’s opinion is not helpful. 

For example, the fact is we have splintered opinions on the best candidate for president. But grassroots groups differ from the Democratic party in important ways. We are like free agents free to affiliate with a group or rally around an issue (or both). Our superpower is to innovate. And we are not constrained by bureaucracy. We are not working for hire and we are not asking for permission. We can’t control what is happening at the top but we can control what we do next and how we treat each other in the meantime.

We can read right through the bullshit and the platitudes, so to those saying “just buck up” or “get in line” – this isn’t the time for glossing over real emotion. 

Honest venting is a good healthy exercise. In your safe spaces with trusted friends, let it out. Women are tirelessly leading the resistance, and our emotions are raw, and for good reason. Kindness, applied as listening with patience and compassion, can be healing and energizing. 

Be vulnerable, not preachy. Be patient, empathic, and hold off on judgment. Everyone has skin in this game. and there may be more than one right answer. One thing that binds us in the end is that we all agree MAGA is the enemy to our freedoms. And we are UNITED to beat the hell out of Trump and his goons at the ballot box.

Recently I got a postcard from Georgia Fuller of the Silver Panthers, a postcard-writing group from an independent senior living home. Georgia’s timely email brought me back to the roots of our work and community:

Our Monday meeting right after the debate was a venting session. We live with people who decline rapidly in 6 months. We know what it looks like. We also know the heartbreak and the reality of salvaging what we can and keep moving.

Last night we finished address-labeling and stamping GOTV 1000 postcards for Ken Mitchell in VA-06. We worked with his campaign manager who didn't want to wait until Early Voting day to get Ken’s name out there. Our cards are probably at the Merrifield post office already. . . 

I've been saying for years, we Silver Panthers are a small cog in a vast national grassroots network. We just do our job and trust others to do theirs.

Thanks to all of you for doing your jobs.

Georgia 

So yes, thank you, Everyone, for doing your jobs. The roller coaster dips might feel scary, but no matter. With our why in mind and our feet under us, we can do our thing, being cogs, levers, and engines driving the vast and diverse grassroots machine. We will continue to come together and unite to fight for our country. 

Since the First Women’s March in 2017, Katherine has become an activist in the grassroots movement in Virginia. She co-founded Network NoVA that serves to connect and network with like-minded individuals to reclaim and protect our democratic values of equality and human rights.