The personal is political. The political is personal
I am sure every reader of this blog has heard someone say that they do are not interested in politics or politics does not affect them. Oxford dictionary defined politics as “the activities involved in getting and using power in public life, and being able to influence decisions that affect a country or a society.” In other words, quite simply, the political is all the action which determined how a community, a nation or a group of nations live and work together. As we all, know many factors affect whether the actions of elected and appointed individuals serve the needs of the entire body politic or whether the focus is primarily the needs of groups who already wield power or can purchase power and influence.
I understand why many believe that, as a private citizen who cannot afford to purchase power or who does not have information or some other form of currency to exchange for power believe that the body politic is not concerned with their concerns or needs. Yet, as one reads history, it is obvious that every positive change is due to one person or a small group of people being committed to making a change. Often that small group of people morphs into a large group.
Change always begins with the recognition that “the personal is political” and “the political is personal”. Although feminists in the 1960s and 1970s did not coin the term and cannot take credit for an eureka moment, the phase was again brought to the forefront of thought and action in the 1960s and 1970s. If change was to occur, at some level, some people had to again remind themselves and others that the body politic exists only to serve the common interest of all the people. When some groups of people are being systematically denied basic rights including the right to food, clothing, heat/AC, health care, and a quality education it is up to the body politic – all of us – to assume our place of honor at the common table to make new decisions which are inclusive of the all the people including those neighbors who are fleeing violence.
The political is very personal for those who are denied sanctuary and an opportunity to raise their children in a safe environment. The political is very personal for those who are incarcerated. The political is very personal for those who receive a health care bill for ½ million dollar because an in-network dialysis center is not accessible.
The political is very personal when access to good schools is based on property taxes. The personal is very political when history books used by schools leave out the history of certain races, genders and sexual orientations. The political is very personal when access to essential medication is predicated on the perceived right of a few people to get wealthy no matter who is damaged or left to die in the process. The political is very personal when food stamps and other assistance is cut by those who have gained wealth by systematically taking advantage of others.
The body politic is, by definition, composed of representatives of all of us and not just those who can afford expensive lobbyist or who can afford expensive television and internet time. Yet we know those whose candidacy for public office are not supported by big bucks and special interest have to work the old fashion way – person to person – door to door – neighbor to neighbor - to have their voices heard.
The political is personal. What we as a body politic decide or do not decide affects many other persons on a very individual level. We are one body. I have often posited that every action or inaction by every one of us affects the entire universe(s). I believe this to be true. If I believe this to be true I must be very intentional about every action I take realizing that whether holding an elected or appointment office or not I am a member of the body politic. I have the right and the duty to speak out daily for myself and those who are so busy surviving that they do not have the energy or time to speak out.
Written July 23, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
I am sure every reader of this blog has heard someone say that they do are not interested in politics or politics does not affect them. Oxford dictionary defined politics as “the activities involved in getting and using power in public life, and being able to influence decisions that affect a country or a society.” In other words, quite simply, the political is all the action which determined how a community, a nation or a group of nations live and work together. As we all, know many factors affect whether the actions of elected and appointed individuals serve the needs of the entire body politic or whether the focus is primarily the needs of groups who already wield power or can purchase power and influence.
I understand why many believe that, as a private citizen who cannot afford to purchase power or who does not have information or some other form of currency to exchange for power believe that the body politic is not concerned with their concerns or needs. Yet, as one reads history, it is obvious that every positive change is due to one person or a small group of people being committed to making a change. Often that small group of people morphs into a large group.
Change always begins with the recognition that “the personal is political” and “the political is personal”. Although feminists in the 1960s and 1970s did not coin the term and cannot take credit for an eureka moment, the phase was again brought to the forefront of thought and action in the 1960s and 1970s. If change was to occur, at some level, some people had to again remind themselves and others that the body politic exists only to serve the common interest of all the people. When some groups of people are being systematically denied basic rights including the right to food, clothing, heat/AC, health care, and a quality education it is up to the body politic – all of us – to assume our place of honor at the common table to make new decisions which are inclusive of the all the people including those neighbors who are fleeing violence.
The political is very personal for those who are denied sanctuary and an opportunity to raise their children in a safe environment. The political is very personal for those who are incarcerated. The political is very personal for those who receive a health care bill for ½ million dollar because an in-network dialysis center is not accessible.
The political is very personal when access to good schools is based on property taxes. The personal is very political when history books used by schools leave out the history of certain races, genders and sexual orientations. The political is very personal when access to essential medication is predicated on the perceived right of a few people to get wealthy no matter who is damaged or left to die in the process. The political is very personal when food stamps and other assistance is cut by those who have gained wealth by systematically taking advantage of others.
The body politic is, by definition, composed of representatives of all of us and not just those who can afford expensive lobbyist or who can afford expensive television and internet time. Yet we know those whose candidacy for public office are not supported by big bucks and special interest have to work the old fashion way – person to person – door to door – neighbor to neighbor - to have their voices heard.
The political is personal. What we as a body politic decide or do not decide affects many other persons on a very individual level. We are one body. I have often posited that every action or inaction by every one of us affects the entire universe(s). I believe this to be true. If I believe this to be true I must be very intentional about every action I take realizing that whether holding an elected or appointment office or not I am a member of the body politic. I have the right and the duty to speak out daily for myself and those who are so busy surviving that they do not have the energy or time to speak out.
Written July 23, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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