This morning I was having what I’ve come to think of as “the conversation” with yet another group of people. How do we take the widespread concern, fear, and hope that exists out there and build that into a movement for progressive change? Why do people feel so paralyzed by our times? How can we translate the urgency so many of us are feeling into effective action?
It’s been more than two years now that we’ve been processing the Gospel of George Lakoff. We are agreed that progressives need to build institutions, coordinate messaging, and discuss our issues in ways that begin with our values and not our programs. There has been progress, but there’s also been process. Lots of process. Our process-to-progress ratio needs work.
It doesn’t always feel as though we fully grasp what’s at stake.
Sometimes I wonder whether people understand the seriousness of the moment, and the challenge that has been offered to each of us. I often feel that we’re in a race, and possibly one sarin gas attack from the point of no return.
I understand that movement building takes time, but it also takes commitment.
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