As Louise finishes her a well-earned sabbatical, Randy Hayes,
Convener of Kent Street Coalition’s Health Care Working Group, is providing This Week in Perspective.
Read this week’s complete Happenings Newsletter here.
Dear Kent Streeters,
We Kent Streeters know all too well that the policies and executive orders of the Trump administration threaten the very survival of our democracy. The balance of federal power meant to be shared by the three branches of our government has collapsed under the weight of an all-powerful autocratic presidency. Moreover, Free Staters and MAGA extremists remain in control of our state legislature and to a large degree the governor’s policies. To protest and call attention to this dangerous political brinkmanship, we must continue to write in the print media, post on social media, send postcards and emails to elected officials, join visibilities and public protests, and consider targeted canvassing as we move towards the mid-term elections.
In addition to freeing our democracy from the death grip of Trump and his Project 2025 devotees, I encourage Kent Streeters to focus on a nonpartisan effort to mobilize the power of the American people to support the common good. Most of our fellow Americans share our fears and desire to strengthen rather than tear down our democracy. Our challenge is to figure out how to connect with, listen to, learn from and lock arms with our fellow Americans who are neither MAGA nor PROGRESSIVE.
I suggest we need to step out of our comfort zone and take every opportunity to engage in respectful conversation with strangers we encounter and friends we meet. A person next to us at a sporting event, a healthcare worker who is particularly helpful or a kind cashier all may be approachable. Most of us have neighbors we have been meaning to introduce ourselves to with a gift of baked goods or produce from our garden. A simple comment such as “how are you doing, or thank you for your kindness to me when you are so busy” may start a brief conversation. Open ended, nonpartisan questions such as “what worries you the most during these divided times”, or “how do you cope with all the pressure we are all under” can deepen the conversation. The goal is to engage with empathy, concern and above all a willingness to listen. We want to connect in a caring way looking for common ground, and perhaps a statement of cherished values that we might be able to agree with. The outcome sought is not to push a progressive point of view. Rather we are trying to help them feel they are not alone in this chaotic and frightening world, that they have been heard and that their thoughts and feelings are important. Building community is never easy, but always starts with a single conversation.
Given Trump’s autocratic power and ruthless bullying, no charismatic democratic leader and no single national election will resuscitate our democracy. Only our ongoing political advocacy joined with a nonpartisan effort to mobilize the power of the American people can remove the reprobates, temper the extremists and successfully nurture the common good.
Randy Hayes,
Convener of Kent Street Coalition’s Health Care Working Group
Kent Street Coalition 