What’s next? Flipping the switch on information
One of the most powerful things we can do—both as individuals and as members of community organizations—is to change our relationship with information, to move from passive consumption to active and critical engagement. In our starring role as “ordinary Americans,” we live within a 24/7 stream of information—data, images, advertising, fragments of narrative, presidential tweets and more. To function as citizens, we need to step out of this stream of calculated distraction where our attention is manipulated by forces outside our control, and—well—take charge, at least now and then.
In a way, that’s what this newsletter and the work of Gettysburg Democracy for America is all about. With our monthly programs of speakers, panels and films; our regularly published opinion pieces in the Gettysburg Times; our visits, emails and calls to elected officials; our well-tended website; and our regular newsletter, we tell a story that runs counter to the dominant narratives of our time. Those narratives want us to believe that access to healthcare and a good education for all is unaffordable, that action on climate change will damage our economy, that government is—almost by definition—the problem. Most importantly, those narratives and the people behind them want us to believe we are powerless to act on these and other important issues of the day. But we have a different story to tell.
Our Gettysburg DFA story, at least from my perspective, focuses primarily on what policies do to people. Our commitment is to practical problem solving, not ideology. Of course, if it happens to be the case that an Improved-Medicare-for-All approach—an idea usually dubbed “liberal” or even “left wing” by some—turns out to be the cheapest, most efficient way to provide access to affordable healthcare to all, then we’re all for it. Not because it’s the “politically correct” thing to do, but rather because it works, and has been proven to do so not only in Canada and elsewhere, but in our own Medicare and Medicaid programs as well.
In my experience, we are practical people, moderate in temperament but passionate about guaranteeing the means of real citizenship—the basics of daily life, a good education, access to healthcare, and equal protection under the law—to all Americans, and extending a hearty welcome to those who have chosen to join us from other parts of the world. We have deep roots in American history and experience, but we also have, if not quite a vision, at least a pretty good notion of where we should go from here. In other words, we have a story to tell about an American future where all can flourish.
But we need your help in telling that story. We need you to “flip the switch” and change your relationship with the information systems that—if we let them—tend to dominate our lives.
Here’s what you need to do in your new role as citizen scholar:
First and foremost, we need you to step away from the media noise machine—at least some of the time—and “go deep” on the issues you care about passionately. Democracy cannot function, let alone flourish, without an informed citizenry and citizen experts who can act as interpreters for the rest of us on complex issues. In a healthy democracy, the citizens decide. To do that well, they are going to need your help on the issues you have taken the time to master.
Here are several other considerations to ponder in your new role:
Beware of sources, including liberal or left wing sources, that are ideologically predictable and/or primarily focused on making you angry or fearful and rousing you up against predictable enemies.
Read widely, consider multiple points of view on the issue, but then make sure to share what you’ve learned: talk with a neighbor, call your representative, write an op-ed or letter to the editor or an article for this newsletter. And, when you write or speak always consider your audience. Who are they? What are theirconcerns? How can you build a bridge to their side of the river?
Take advantage of the many nonpartisan websites and think tanks that offer information in depth. Kaiser Health News (https://khn.org/), Climate Central (http://www.climatecentral.org/), and WITF’s State Impact PA (https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/) and many other sites are out there, ready to be put to use.
Consider a “two-way” relationship with an information source. Members of our community already serve on state boards, committees and commissions, participate in regular conference calls, or join in activities with state-wide organizations that take their voices and opinions seriously while providing them with excellent information about complex, quickly evolving issues. WITF regularly calls for citizen input on what’s addressed in their programming. Is there a way for you to connect with these efforts?
Start a book club on your issue. Gather with a few friends, lift a glass or well-loaded cracker, and discuss! Then, let us know how it’s going in a posting for this newsletter.
What’s at stake in the November 6 election is who we are as a people, but whatever the outcome we clearly have work to do! Please join us, share your talents and expertize, and together I’m sure we can get some important things done.
Will Lane, Chair
Gettysburg Democracy for America