Connect! Unite! Act! is a weekly series encouraging the creation of face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups meet to socialize, support candidates, get out the vote, and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert maximum influence on the powers that be. Visit us every week to see how you can get involved!
Getting back to meeting in person can be difficult for most of us. We’ve been contained in private locations, meeting through Zoom, and where we enjoy participating while sitting in front of a home computer in bare feet with sweats and a T-shirt on. If you’ve been reading some of TrueBlueMajority’s latest additions to Connect! Unite! Act!, you know that finding a way back from being on the edge of political action into building a strong circle around you that can make a difference in your local community, district, or state can make a surprising amount of impact. As Daily Kos celebrates its 20th anniversary, we have to remember what started as a small community grew into a community with incredible influence, primarily because it focused on building political strength. Tools that were used all assisted in strengthening that goal, sharing stories, using new tools, inviting others, and discussing issues that really mattered.
To take from Leslie’s fantastic diary on the subject:
Here is the inaugural story explaining the concept of creating CUA Circles: Starting with the people you know right now, you can be the source of factual, encouraging Democratic messaging. We may not have the nationwide communications advantage right now, but as individuals, the Blue Team outnumbers that red mess. This means the way we talk to each other makes a world of difference.
Circles go beyond finding something you can do, encouraging those around you, and building political power.
It is also about reclaiming personal power.
Over the last year, we have seen a direct, full-frontal attack of our basic rights and humanity. It’s hard sometimes to take a look at the last year and not see the way in which Republicans have used state legislatures and courts to work tirelessly against the rights of so many.
When we connect with each other, we find new opportunities to build beyond our circle.
When we look at the Olympic rings, we think of circles that overlap, sharing parts in common across the whole. It’s a powerful message.
As the summer moved on, I thought of Tori Amos’ Precious Things, where she makes several key notes to this moment:
Running after Billy
Running after the rain
These precious things
Let them bleed
Let them wash away
These precious things
Let them break
Their hold of me
He said, "You're really an ugly girl
But I like the way you play."
And I died
But I thanked him
Can you believe that?
Sick, sick, holding on to his picture
Dressing up every day
I wanna smash the faces of those beautiful boys
Those Christian boys
So you can make me come
That doesn't make you Jesus
These precious things
Let them bleed
Let them wash away
These precious things
Let them break
Their hold of me
I remember, yes
In my peach party dress
No one dared
No one cared
To tell me where the pretty girls are
Those demigods
With their nine-inch nails
And little fascist panties
Tucked inside the heart
Of every nice girl
These precious things
Let them bleed
Let them wash away
These precious things
Let them break
Let them wash away
These, these precious things
Let them bleed now
Let them wash away
These, these precious things
Let them break
Their hold of me
I’m going to guess most of you can make sense of the lyrics. If you are really, truly lost, ask in the comments. It speaks to the situation though. It tells us what it is like to feel loss, anger, frustration, to be demeaned by people that contend they have values.
It is also about finding the circle and situation that motivates you to seek change.
Are you prepared to build your circle and work toward the 2022 November election? If so, what drives you?