Becoming a Radical

I first became a radical in the late 60s - a combination of factors - the Viet Nam War and the across the board serious (still-existing) splits in the country: civil rights, native american rights, women's lib, student newspapers, and many, many more - music, haircuts, comics, grey panthers, black panthers, people's radio..... What makes a radical? You start by changing your thinking on at least one thing and then you build on that... But what finally speaks is the action you take - they speak you. For me the action was my joining Computer People for Peace - being in peaceful demonstrations. It took me a while to feel that it was ok to not be arrested. Then we moved and Nancy and I completely turned over our lifestyle.

Why do I say this? I have spent 32 years trying to re-adjust to this era. But I've become a radical again. I'm moving again - and for similar reasons. I won't fully accept the system the way it has become. I am committed to making my voice about this louder and my use of the environment smaller and smaller.

The time has come for us to get that it's up to us. We have the power and we only need the will to accomplish anything. We only need to know we can and that we can join with others in the doing. The trick is to know we can make it work and not think we're an 'us' against 'them.' We only have to make the distinction 'the future' versus 'the present.'

Rambling

My life has transformed since doing the Awaken the Dreamer(ATD) symposium -- in many ways.

I've again identified myself with the world, not limited to my neighborhood and friends. I have previously identified myself with 'the hungry.' They are my partners in ending their own hunger. But after 25 years of participating in that activity, it has devolved into an activity. The words are not accompanied by any real sense of partnership. ATD has returned me to my partnership and more, it has given me a new context for that partnership.

I no longer can hear the news the same way because I've read Confessions of an Economic Hit Man (by John Perkins).. John was one of the admitted villains of the world and reversed himself. He is one of the founders of The Pachamama Alliance (www.pachamama.org). It takes real courage to do that.

And I see the necessity for us to blend our cultures with the cultures of the world... But what we do is subvert their cultures to become ours. The consequences are enormous and tragic.