Buds of hope
Movement Voter Project, the right to vote being the cornerstone of democracy
As the weather warmed, I discovered what appears to be a peony in my garden, where there was never one before. Although it’s outside the bounds of where I would have planted a peony, I’m hopeful it will thrive.
The news is grim—of worldwide maneuvers toward authoritarianism in our country that I might never have imagined when I was growing up. Oh, I recall the world looked bad then too. There was a time when I felt so hopeless that I sat on the floor of my bedroom to write a letter. I was somewhere between 11 and 14 years old; it was jointly addressed to Nikita Krushchev and—Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson…? I don’t recall which president, but I recall my handwritten plea… for them to end the threat of nuclear weapons and work together toward a peaceful world.
I never sent the letter — perhaps because without Internet I had no idea where to send it or maybe because whatever drills we’d had at school subsided as the temperature cooled between Us and Them.
Or did I just lose faith in my small voice?
Watching world events of late, I’m worried for our democracy. Recently, I found an organization that restored my faith—in the combined force of many voices. Many voices voting.
With hope, I’m supporting Movement Voter Project. Movement Voter Project supports groups that work locally, neighborhood by neighborhood, to extend the power of democracy by educating and enrolling voters. Inspiring change by organizing people to be active in their community, learn the issues, register to vote, and vote for what they hope and need. Isn’t that what democracy means?
I’m grateful to have found them and give them my support.
And I’m hopeful that my peony will be encouraged by the multitude of blossoms on its exuberant neighbor, the magnolia.
Thank you for your post. I share your need to do something. I am writing letters with Vote Forward.
I supported Movement Voter Project in the last election and was so pleased with the grassroots way they do their work, and the fantastic educational and invitations for involvement, that I ended up making a larger contribution than I have ever made before. Thank you Meg for promoting this group. There are many GOTV groups out there…and many good ones….yet these folks tap into successful organizations that already have a base in their communities and create ways for the diverse groups to communicate, share their lessons to learn from each other, and to cheer on their accomplishments…which at times are most important! They also focus on marginalized communities so those groups are motivated to take the time to vote in the midst of their often too busy lives.