Two years ago, while driving down a country road listening to Derrick Jensen interview the environmental philosopher Kathleen Dean Moore, Derrick asked her: “What can one person do about all the atrocities, injustices, and ugliness around us?” I skidded the mail jeep to a stop, found a safe spot on the side of the road, and wrote down her answer.
“Don’t become one person”, she said.
Wow! Over the last two years Moore’s compelling message has brought me to this conclusion: “Don’t become one person” is essential when it comes to becoming the change I want to see—the change WE want to see.
For me, back in February of 2017, I organized a 3-hour introductory to Community Rights talk with Paul Cienfuegos in my community.
From that evening on I became more than one person. I became three, then later five, and we now call ourselves the Washburn County Community Rights Alliance (WCCRA).
We’ve been meeting for close to two years now, had documentary showings, organized workshops and talks to educate the public. We’ve introduced a Climate Bill of Rights at the Township level. People have run for local office. Most importantly we’ve gotten to know each other quite well.
Before forming our alliance (WCCRA) I faced the atrocities, injustices, and ugliness often feeling alone… being just one person. It’s a heavy burden to feel separated and disconnected knowing that democracy and sustainability are illegal in the place I call home.
A shared burden and commitment lighten the load when I sometimes revert back to thinking “It’s all up to me.”
I’m immediately relieved because — thanks to my team members — I know I’m not alone in this struggle for a sane and sustainable world that our children and grandchildren can inherit.
And thank you, Kathleen Dean Moore. You were onto something to be sure.

 

Note: We’re trying out a new column titled “Reflections on Community Rights from Rural America”,  by CR activist and organizer Curt Hubatch. Curt is an unschooling father of two young children and one young adult. Currently he works as a substitute rural letter carrier for the USPS. He lives in a cordwood house that he built with his wife, family and friends in Northwestern Wisconsin. One day while delivering mail, he heard a talk by historian Richard Grossman, and ever since he’s had his hand in the effort to elevate Community Rights over corporate “rights”. 

This column along with other stories and updates from the Community Rights movement can be read at our monthly newsletter HERE.