Can community campaigns stay positive?
I just came home from a City Council meeting in Mt. Shasta, CA, where I live. I’ve been working on a community initiative since last year called the “Mt. Shasta Community Water Rights Ordinance.” Tonight the city councilors voted to publicly oppose it by writing an argument against it for the November election packet that all residents receive.
It’s fascinating, really. Much of my personal work on this issue has included getting clear on my own thoughts and perspective. As I’ve read the ordinance many times, asked questions (and asked more questions), I feel very certain that it will strongly benefit our entire community and local environment.
I have been operating from a place of vision, of seeing the value in creating this law to ensure our local right to water, rather than outside corporations having first dibs on this precious local resource. I have been thrilled to see the “rights of nature” recognized by this measure, as well, and to learn of how this language gives Mt. Shasta the legal mechanism it needs for standing up to corporate power.
And now the “opposition” is beginning. The threatening language of some has begun as well, and the strong “I dare you to do this” energy is surfacing. And I must say, I am NOT looking forward to this part of the process.
Why? It’s not because I’m afraid of the oppositional perspectives. It’s not because I don’t feel confident that the ordinance is defensible, enforceable, and an important legal step for our town. My hesitancy comes because I don’t want to play the debate game and engage in “strategic” and well-crafted campaign plans to “win at all costs.” But what do you do when there’s an organized opposition that WILL “do whatever it takes” to defeat something you believe affirms life? How do you proceed with passion AND compassion? With heart AND intellect? With openness AND conviction?
Don’t get me wrong. Of course I want this to pass. But I ideally want the community to come together and discuss this in real, civil, open, heartfelt ways. I want this issue to be an opportunity for people to express their hopes, dreams, and fears or doubts. Now it feels like the Us “versus” Them game has begun. And where there is an US and a THEM, there is division. What did I expect? What do I expect?
Is there another way?!
I am well aware that those opposing the ordinance may find this blog by Googling the initiative’s title. They will then get insight into who I am, what my background is, how I view the world, and through this, perhaps even fuel their own fire. Or perhaps, they will be interested in connecting. I hope for the latter.
Regardless, I feel compelled to have a voice here, where I aim to explore social transformation within the context of positive communication, inspired action, and inner guidance and growth.
As an experiment, I would like to witness my own process. At this point, here are my own personal hopes:
- I intend to be involved in open conversations in which I can listen to people and they can listen to me, being authentically present to one another rather than rehearsing our opinions in our heads.
- I intend to articulate what I know to be true without engaging in “debate” from a place of judgment, anger, or frustration even when false information and misunderstandings are being perpetuated.
- I intend to be able to better understand people on a human level – including any fears, doubts, or resistance – the more I connect with others about the purpose of this community initiative.
Ideally, this community initiative can be an example of true dialogue and honest communication, whether or not the initiative passes. It can demonstrate that even when we disagree, we can attempt to understand one another on a deeper level. Let it be an opportunity for us all to learn about ourselves, each other, and be open to positive transformation – both inside and out.