Our
view
Meaning
of citizenship needs revision
There
has been surge of political activity
on every level of government lately,
at the local, state and national level.
Many cities, like Long Beach, have had
elections to find new local leaders.
California is also in the midst of a heated battle between two Democratic candidates
contending to be governor and the national mid-term elections are just around
the corner.
Sadly, public interest in such events is, as always, dismally low. For many
people the necessary investment of time and resources needed to truly be engaged
in the political discussion is outweighed by a lack of results.
A single vote is relative to a droplet of water in a vast ocean. Many see the
lack of variety among candidates and hypocritical double-talk, which seems
inherent in all political matters, as reason enough to resign oneself to a
hopeless, “nothing-will-ever-change” attitude.
Yet hope remains. Staying active in politics, whether from the sofa in front
of the television or marching in the streets, is a worthwhile, even necessary
act, regardless of the outcome.
Many people have fought and shed blood for the right to this simple act. Thoughtlessly
tossing it aside is not only a gesture of great disrespect, but is harmful
to the well-being of the state and the soul of the individual.
As citizens of the United States we have been given the tremendous responsibility
of being the deciding factor in determining who will lead our country to greatness
(or failure).
Yes, large corporations and the wealthy have enormous monetary and political
clout and in many ways decide who will be on the ballot come election season,
but ultimately the fate of our nation is distributed equally. One man, one
vote (not taking into account the mal distribution caused by the Electoral
College).
The meaning of the word citizen, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary,
is “an inhabitant of a city or town, especially one entitled to the rights
and privileges of a freedman.” Many, and arguably most of us, neglect
to truly realize the privilege that comes with the latter part of that definition.
Being a citizen of a free country is a gift that is beyond words and descriptions;
it is something to be cherished.
Becoming involved in the political process is something to take pride in, whether
it’s the local PTA or the federal government.
And, while the outcome of political action can often literally mean life or
death for some people, as in the case of the death penalty and abortion, becoming
involved should be an end in itself, allowing citizens to fully realize their
importance and their potential for change.
Freeing ourselves of the typical, pessimistic perspective that has become the
dominant attitude toward the political process is necessary in finding fulfillment
and creating lasting change.
Rosa Luxemburg best encapsulated the idea of true freedom and the meaning of
citizenship when she said, “Freedom is, always and exclusively, freedom
for the one who thinks differently.”
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