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Where are you guys?
These thoughts come to me as I reflect on what impact the “No Kings” movement could have locally. My primary emotion at the moment is wanting to see our elected officials become the leaders they have told us they would be.
Where are you guys?
There was no clear presence or support of our elected officials at the “No Kings” gathering in downtown Milwaukee. If they were there and/or spoke, I apologize but the point is still valid. Regular, long-term presence goes beyond Saturday’s rally.
Where is your energy to keep us inspired? Why are you not using your influence to support and participate here in Milwaukee to challenge what’s happening in your chosen arena—politics?!
Thousands of folks were gathered at Cathedral Square on Saturday and at other points around the city, across Wisconsin in towns large and small, urban and rural. How many elected reps spoke at these rallies or were visible?
The voices at “No Kings Day” are a source of power. Recognizing and affirming that power is necessary to build what we need to move forward. Why are people doing this? And how are our representatives taking responsibility in hearing what those who voted them into office are about? We cannot let the other voices on social media that will try to mock and minimize this activity silence us.
Perhaps “Care for Our Neighbors’” could be a title along with “No Kings.”
“‘No Kings, Caring Neighbors=Democracy.”
Much more than slogans
Behind the slogans on the posters are people who care about their neighbor, their neighborhood and their community. It’s taking armed troops in the Chicago streets to bring local solidarity. Neighbors are defying politics and claiming responsibility. Is that in Milwaukee’s future? ICE is here now!
Neighbors in Chicago and other places are stepping out and claiming ownership. They have chosen NOT to be silent. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker was a prime speaker and motivator at the Chicago rally in Grant Park.
It can be done. It can be powerful. It can be living hope not a hope that depends on someone else to do something. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke as well.
Perhaps I am wrong and have simply missed the voices of the Tammy Baldwins, Gwen Moores, David Crowleys and Cavalier Johnsons. Ron Johnson has been quiet but that’s to his advantage. The list of reps is much longer than the few mentioned here.
We need voices that reflect a message that is pointed and clear, not obfuscated by letters asking us for money.
We need to think about ALL our neighbors
Politicians fill our emails daily with sometimes near pathetic, desperate cries for money but with little indication of the depths of the struggles being faced by our neighbors.
Those currently with few options for health care, etc. see the “fairness” we tout as a nation becoming increasingly unfair, exacerbated by attacks on our Democratic institutions. How do we recover a shared responsibility in caring for ALL of our neighbors?
Those of us with resources will share them if the purpose is clear and action is local. We need grassroots leaders. We need political representatives who lead as well. Frequently and consistently. Early and often.
The “protest” I saw Saturday was one of deep concern and a kind of “sadness” that reflects that the United States has been taken over and being assaulted in an inhuman fashion.
Partisanship is overcome only when we gather. We are clearly representing ALL in our community. A new direction must include those who have fallen in line with irresponsible decisions. It is easy to see that what’s happening hits all of us. And it hits the most vulnerable among us even worse.
Given the heightened reality of the daily bombardment of destructive action by those in “power,” how can you not seek to grab the mike and speak on behalf of peaceful protest?
The silence is deafening.
Silence is not an option
One need not buy into theories behind fascism or totalitarianism to see that keeping quiet is a tactic that those in power love.
If your voice is not prominent, up front and clear, how are the people of Milwaukee to know how to publicly participate in the decisions that affect us all?
Those decisions include the potholes on the street and the city streets turned into runaway racetracks to the education and health realities. How do we counter the increasingly dysfunction of you, our decision-makers?
“All politics is local,” it is said. Right now, that “local” is being shaped by a misguided national agenda.
Where are you guys? We need your voices EVERY day to bring us all together to decide who our country is and how we want to live side by side through the struggles in building a more healthy Milwaukee.
Rick Deines is a trained facilitator for Civil Community Conversation and advocate for men in recovery through Serenity Inns.
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