#1 We Either Step Up as “Citizens” or We Get Stepped on as “Subjects”
#2 Being “Extraordinary Citizens”
At the heart of this moment is a basic choice – the fundamental choice of independent democratic self-rule vs. dependent authoritarian dominance. It is a test of our fundamental belief that all people are created equal and capable of self-rule vs. the belief that some people are born superior and should rule the others.
This is not just a political question. It is a test of our character – our commitment, courage, perseverance and resilience and our ability to connect and work together even when we disagree.
This is not About Republicans and Democrats
Nor is it about liberals and conservatives or any other social or political group. This is not about religion, or race, or gender. America has always been made up of different groups with different views. Those differences do not need to be a weakness. When managed well, they provide creativity, resilience, balance, and they fit within the common ground of our founding vision.
The different groups are all essential parts of the American experiment in democracy. Each has its part to play, and the managing of the natural dynamic tensions between them is what keeps America healthy and creative and keeps the authoritarian threat at bay.
This is about Being Citizens, not Subjects and Acting from Our “Larger Selves”
It is about acting from our best – and acting even if we are busy and tired and unsure of what actions to take. It is about calling on our courage, perseverance, and resilience (our larger selves) vs. retreating in the face of our fears, anxieties, uncertainties, cynicism, or apathy (our smaller selves).
It is about our willingness to go outside of our normal comfort zones to do what is required – to be what is required. We don’t need to be perfect. But we do have to show up.
Our Democracy is in Decline and Needs Repair
Any democracy is naturally flawed and often frustrating and it will decay over time if not maintained. Our democracy is currently not meeting the needs of too many Americans – from a sense of identity and place to confidence in the future or the ability to meet basic needs.
A democracy requires a lot of its citizens – at some times much more than other times. It requires that we find a way to transcend our natural differences and come together to govern ourselves in an ever-changing world– a surprisingly difficult and complex task.
We Have to Earn the Right to Govern Ourselves in Every Generation.
We need to significantly improve our democratic processes and institutions. We are called to step up whether we feel like it or not. We are called to act even if we don’t feel ready.
We can’t just ride on our history and the sacrifices of our predecessors. We can’t be passive. We have to take active ownership – not only of our freedoms, but also of the responsibilities that come with them.
We may be facing a major crisis, but we can approach it with a “no fear” attitude and build on the strengths we bring – as individuals and as a country. We can take responsibility for ourselves as citizens – and support each other.
Giving up and being subjects is a powerful seductive trap because of the classic authoritarian promise to “take care of” or “save” us –particularly if we are feeling small, powerless, or victimized.
That promise obscures the reality that authoritarians always end up controlling, disempowering, and feeding upon their “subjects.” Citizens are empowered and challenged. Subjects are managed and used.
The American Experiment Won’t Survive “Ordinary”
Democracies ask a lot of their citizens. Both protecting and defending our democracy and taking on the big tough challenges in our world require true American greatness – a critical mass of citizens calling on our best and persevering – together – over time – often outside
of our normal comfort zones (acting from our “larger selves”).
Sometimes We Can Coast – Other Times, We’ve Got to Rise – this is a Rising Moment
Our democracy has been resilient and there are times when we, as citizens can sit back and enjoy our form of government without having to actively and intentionally support it. There are other times when we have to step up, call on our best, and act forcefully and relentlessly – together. This is one of those times.
Sometimes we have to go outside our comfort zones and stay there for an extended period. There are moments in history that demand more – more courage, more unity, more action, more perseverance. This is one of those moments.
“Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life, and when it comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, ‘I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.’”
The Choice is Clear – We Can be Ordinary Subjects or Extraordinary Citizens
Every generation must earn its democracy. We were extraordinary citizens at our founding and have been extraordinary citizens at many points in our 250-year “no quit” trajectory since our founding. As American citizens we have taken responsibility and acted vs. waiting to be saved or taken care of. We have found sufficient solidarity. We have acted even when it felt hard or inconvenient and the solutions weren’t clear.
We are now being called to be extraordinary citizens to meet our current challenges. We are obviously challenged to protect and improve our democratic processes and institutions. And we need to take on the big tough intimidating issues we face in our world, from climate change and foreign threats to economic opportunity and affordable housing.
The American experiment in democracy requires that we step up and accept those challenges. Those are extraordinary challenges requiring a critical mass of extraordinary citizens – not everyone is required, but a critical mass is required.
Almost a third of the American population prefers an authoritarian form of government – the classic con of “being taken care of” – to be ruled vs. self-rule – to kneel and cower vs. standing up and fighting. So that critical mass of extraordinary citizens needs to come from the other two thirds, which means not leaving many people on the sidelines.
The Deceptive Challenge – We Have to do it Together
The subjects of the English colony that became America were not all together at our founding. Nor have Americans been all together throughout our 250-year history. But there was a critical mass of Americans that transcended the natural differences to found America and there have been critical masses of Americans that have come together throughout our history to do what needed to be done to preserve our democracy.
Fortunately, we have Two Foundation Blocks on Which to Stand
We can stand confidently on our founding and on the 250-year trajectory since our founding – to take on the issues our current generations face. Neither foundation block is without its faults, but both are extraordinary, and they provide a solid foundation to support us in acting with confidence now.
We Also have Clear Guidance to Help Us Act as Citizens vs. Subjects
Our “call to action” is clear – to protect and improve our democratic institutions and processes and to take on the big tough complex issues we face in our world. Both challenges are intimidating and probably require us to go outside our normal comfort zones. Both challenges will require us to act from our “larger selves” vs. our “smaller selves.” There is also clear guidance and examples of the types of action we can take.
And We Have Strengths and Qualities to Support Our Actions
Even if we feel small we can act large. We are often not asked for our best or challenged to leave our comfort zone, but that is what is being asked of us now. Fortunately, we have a “larger self” from which we can act – a surprising array of strengths and qualities.
We can act from a sense that we matter, that we make a difference – large or small. We have a base of courage that we can call on and enlarge. We can persevere in the face of the unknown or set-backs and we can build our resilience to support our consistent action. We can connect with others (even if we are introverts) for support as well as collective action.
And we can extend “grace” to ourselves and others. (One definition of “grace” is unearned kindness, mercy, dignity, patience, and generosity, especially under strain or offense. Grace towards others, and ourselves, means recognizing and accepting imperfections and mistakes as part of the human journey. And grace provides the common ground required for us to be able to stand together with all of our differences and still effectively take on the challenges we face as citizens.)
So, being an “extraordinary citizen” is a stretch for most of us, but not too much of a stretch and we have plenty of strengths and qualities on which to draw. We just need to say “Yes” to the call to action. That is the fundamental difference between a “citizen” of a democracy and a “subject” of authoritarians. And it is an opportunity to take pride in ourselves as well as grow in the process.