Thanks, Young People, For Helping Us To Grow Up

The living victims and supportive peers from the Florida high school shootings have come on the national scene like gangbusters. Not waiting their turn, not asking permission, not being politically correct. But speaking articulate truth to many powers with courage, commitment and unfiltered challenge. To citizens of all ages, all walks of life. About the students' central issue of gun violence and access to assault weapons, and the need for comprehensive firearm safety review and reform. And calling "bullshit" on any politicos who would answer their challenge with watered down deflections such as increased background checks, bump stocks and education programs.

The NRA and their political sympathizers tried to dismiss the students as too young, too inexperienced and too emotional in the moment for their momentum to last. But their subsequent organization, marches, speeches and nationwide efforts have convinced skeptics that they're for real. And, we're all the better for it. 

The leadership of these impressive youngsters follows close behind the Women's Marches, #MeToo movement and notable recent elections in setting the stage for moderates and progressives of both parties and Independents to bring this Country back to a healthier center. But, it will take considerable work from all of us to realize that goal. We've just begun to see if we can rise to our occasion.

I love this timeless JFK quote. How fitting that it resides in the Nation's Capitol where these students organized and inspired the largest recent march to protest the lack of responsive government to the gun safety issue.

So, What Do We Do Now? Raj Patel Has a Good Approach

I recently met Raj Patel, an amazing writer, activist and academic. Patel, a recent James Beard Foundation Leadership Award winner, is a professor at UT's LBJ School of Public Affairs. He's a creative thinker who convenes visionaries both here and abroad. He's often asked by students and others as to how to determine civic engagement priorities. While he agrees that the typically compelling issues are such as education, economic opportunity, healthcare, ineffective government, social justice, etc., he has a unique approach for leading us to our best civic calling. He asks us to consider,"What do you love, and how can you honor that love through civic engagement?" He knows that our answers will open more compelling service possibilities.

For example...

I love my Grandmother...who is suffering with cancer, while fighting the insurance bureaucracies.

I love my son...whose special needs are not being met in his school.

I love my neighborhood...but pending zoning changes may prove disruptive to families.

I love my church...but it's not very effective in community outreach.

I love my neighborhood...but insufficient after-school programs and gang activities are a threat.

You get my drift. We'll still come around to many key issues, but we'll arrive there on our own terms, and thus probably be more committed and effective in our service.

Speaking Truth To Power and Calling "B.S." Where Appropriate

Since I'm too sophisticated and too polite to use profanity, I'll glom on to the Florida student speaker's effective use of calling "B.S." on political hypocrisy and obvious deflecting sidesteps to avoid the real issues.

It's "B.S." to answer calls for assault rifle and high-capacity magazine regulation with background checks, bumpstock and education programs. Oh, and CPR.

It's "B.S." for politicos to say, "We're supporting law enforcement," when law enforcement begs for fewer guns and politicos answer with Open Carry and more vests.

It's "B.S." when politicos tout jobs programs, but avoid major infrastructure legislation because it will involve spending money government doesn't have due to tax cuts and poor spending priorities.

It's "B.S." when incompetents such as Betsy DeVos, Ben Carson and other Cabinet appointees  have little or no understanding of the scope of their responsibilities, and are heading understaffed agencies that cannot serve the public interest. These are not just partisan ideological priority shifts, but border on dangerous lack of stewardship of critical government responsibility.

You get my drift. You can add many examples yourself. Mueller may save us yet.

A MORE POSITIVE MOSEY CLOSE

I'm really quite encouraged about our potential for turning around this mess over the next few months. The inspiring Florida students, more responsible journalists, more civic activism, Beto, Conor Lamb, #MeToo and many other positive examples of engaged citizenship. It starts with constructive conversations, building trust and honoring inclusion as we build community. Austin's iACT organization is one notable example of a group promoting interfaith dialogue. I've loved the diversity of great folks I've met through their Red Bench programs.

Again, it all starts with our friend in the mirror. Let's consider what we really love, what we truly value. Then, let's channel our civic energies to honor those commitments. We'll all win in the process. Stay tuned. More to come. LET'S MOSEY!