Demand better

I've been thinking about how to say this all night, and finally, I realized that I'd already said it close to the way I meant to (but I added the emphasis in bold tonight):

I am not realistic. I never want to be realistic. God save us all from realism, especially if it means we have to limit our vision for the world.

Most of us love our children and want to be polite to our neighbors. Most of us, unless we are diseased by terrible living conditions or alcohol or drugs, would rather give than steal. Most of us, in our hearts, want peace and harmony for ourselves and for the rest of the world. Most of us, too, believe that we should take good care of the planet, just because it is the right thing to do. In other words, in the depths of our hearts, most of us are not “realistic.”

When I was child, and I first heard of war, I was appalled. My mother had taught me hitting was wrong. I categorically understood that people should not hurt each other. Then I grew up and I became realistic. Peace, feeding the hungry, a healthy planet, an end to war, these things just aren’t realistically possible, a mature mind understands. Well, when it comes to these things, I’ve been both an idealistic child and a realistic grownup, and I think I was a better person when I was an idealistic child.

I believe in the goodness of human nature. I believe we can get distracted by many things, but that, ultimately, we all want to do what is best. Because that is true of people, I believe we can make the planet better for all of us, that we can have peace, feed the hungry and end war.

I believe too that every action each of us takes makes a difference. Every time each of us rejects a disposable bag brings the world one step closer to being the kind of place where sea turtles don’t die from eating plastic. Every time each of us sacrifices a car ride brings us the world one step closer to being the kind of place where there is no global warming. Every time one of us tithes our income brings us one step closer to ending world poverty. Every time one of us calls a member of congress brings our representatives one step closer to caring more about voters than campaign contributors.

Perhaps people will think I’m too optimistic. But this is for certain: these things can’t be true if no one takes the chance of believing they’re true. Because if we don’t believe they are true, we won’t act as though they’re true. And if we don’t act as though they’re true, they can’t come true. That’s why realism does little but protect the status quo.

Being optimistic, on the other hand, is the most radical political act there is.

All we have to imagine something better. And then insist upon it.

Comments

[ScruffyDan]

"Every time one of us calls a member of congress brings our representatives one step closer to caring more about voters than campaign contributors."

If you feel this way then I think you will probably be very interested in Larry Lessig's change congress campaign. http://change-congress.org/

Essentially he has identified how the economy of influence currently empowers those with lots money, and is working to change that. http://wiki.lessig.org/Corruption

He frequently looks at the problem from a copyright perspective, but it's effects can easily be seen in environmental policy.
http://lessig.org/blog/2007/10/corruption_interview_short_ver.html

[Flint Beika]

Thank you. The next time someone asks me why I bother recycling, conserving electricity or composting 'because it's not going to make a difference', I know where to point them!

[Bhavana]

I also believe "ultimately we all want to do what is best" - great write up - thanks

[Bhavana]

I also believe "ultimately we all want to do what is best" - great write up - thanks

[Lily White]

Yesterday I was just writing about how there is so much apathy about recycling. I get caught up in it myself thinking about how my efforts are lost on a world of greed and waste. But thank you for writing this optimistic viewpoint. I very much agree with you and my thoughts of defeat are fleeting usually. Especially when I can see others are going through the same thought process!

[jennie]

"Being optimistic, on the other hand, is the most radical political act there is."
LOVE THIS!... what a great post.

[Greenpa]

Colin- seriously- "Then I grew up and I became realistic. Peace, feeding the hungry, a healthy planet, an end to war, these things just aren’t realistically possible, a mature mind understands."

I categorically, flatly, deny each point. Yes, I know, this is what "people" say- but I truly believe THEY are the immature minds here; not me. Every one of those goals IS attainable.

Not in my lifetime, no. So what? I'm not here for my lifetime alone- but for my children, and theirs.

Not without great struggles, no. So? You have something better to do?

I deny those are unrealistic goals.

(but I understand what you're saying; we're on the same page.)

[Diane Gandee Sorbi]

I loved this post! A while back I got into a discussion with some folks about the possibility of peace. I said I thought one day we would no longer have war, that someday people will shake their heads in disbelief that one human being would willingly kill another for any reason. They said it will never happen because it's not in our nature. They said I was an idealist, and not being realistic. Since being idealistic simply means striving for the ideal, I'll accept the title.

You're absolutely right, Colin. If people refuse to believe that a better world is possible, nothing will ever improve. Let us all be unrealistic!

[Leslie]

In regard to calling your representatives, don't leave it to other people. Don't assume that your representatives have heard it already or that what you want is obvious.

It works like a vote. Those in office want to know how many people hold your view. Call up and be counted!

[Zach]

@greenpa:

"Not without great struggles, no. So? You have something better to do?"

^^Quote-worthy comment. Absolute genius.

We will be without war someday. . . when warmongers reap the consequences of war. I am a peaceful person by nature, however I'm also in the military and wouldn't have problems pulling a trigger, so I guess you could say that I'm kindof a paradox. I believe in peace, and work towards it, but I cannot shy away from my personal responsibility of making sure that people are held accountable for their actions-- either through telling them the truth, however painful it may be, not speaking to them at all, or through flat-out violence (a solution used far too often in both personal relationships and in our national foreign policy- I've never *had* to use violence so I don't understand why we're currently at war).

I'm an idealist. . . but I cannot deny reality, and that reality is merely facing the consequences of your actions, and afterwards striving to be a better person.

We're at the point in humanity where there's no where else to go. We have got to treat each other well because. . . the earth is too small now to run away.

[Jennifer Comeau]

I just happened upon your blog and say BRAVO to you for this post. As the great Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Even if I knew the world would end tomorrow, I would still plant my apple tree." I MUST believe in my -- and our -- ability to impact our families, our community and the world or it would feel like I've stopped breathing. Thank you.

[vegetablej]

Colin, this is my favourite of your posts. I remember being that child. I felt a big sense of betrayal when I figured out that "reality" wasn't the magic kingdom that childhood was packaged up as to me. In fact I think that sense of disillusionment has strongly coloured my life. In spite of it, I've chosen ways to do hopeful things, even when I didn't feel very hopeful. I became a teacher later in life to try to pass on some of what I think are the important things that you speak of, hope, caring, peace, responsibility, thinking.

I've been encouraged in maintaining optimism by this movement back toward simplicity and caring for the planet and others. It's become my touchstone and it's real. Much more real than cynicism or giving up.

Together we can muster the will to change our way of doing things. HOPE is the best gift to give ourselves and our children.

[arduous]

Thanks for this post, Colin. You are right. Every little step matters.

[Evan]

Those who are 'realistic' ignore the possibilities for improvement. These are real too - and have often been shown to be real.

Thanks for a great post.

[Val]

Great post Colin. It really sums up what I feel but haven't been able to put into words.
I appreciate you and all the other commentors here who live with integrity. It's the only thing of which any of us truly have control.