Believe in the People

I believe in people. I believe in the power of the people.  I believe individuals can make a difference. I believe the community can have a positive impact on the political administration. I believe people want to be good, helpful and inspire others. These acts of good can be seen in a variety of different ways especially when comparing a motivated group of people to state or federal agencies. It is true that private charities give four times as much money annually to good causes than every state program put together. Habitat for Humanity puts together more houses than FEMA each year. These individuals are not forced to be helpful, but are doing so of their own free will.  Will, the desire of an individual, and the acts done when such desires and decisions are put into effect.  We can illustrate our free will through voting, writing, speaking, or advocating for our beliefs.

 Last week Megan and I took a group of our Adult Education students to the Fair Budget Coalition’s rally at the Wilson Building. This rally was setup to demonstrate Fair Budget members and affiliate organizations’ strong feelings towards protecting the human services funded by the DC Council and Mayoral office. Organizations throughout the District were present at this rally and came together for a common goal of protecting the human services budget. Most of the students who attended this rally with us were unfamiliar with the budget policy process, but still were eager to show their support for their programs. Seeing these students who have made so many strides both academically and personally come voluntarily to the rally with letters addressed to their councilmembers and words to express to the group reminded me why these services are so important to our community and how an individual can make a difference. The power of people.

Many individuals who are recipients of these human services spoke at the rally and testified in front of council members. They spoke about how these services and programs have positively impacted their lives, their families, and their future. These individuals not only took advantage of these programs and services, but after receiving them they are now advocating the protection of these services not just for themselves, but for the rest of the community. The power of people. These services are provided to individuals in need and to see these individuals who have overcome adversary return the act of service they received illustrates the true meaning of redistribution.  Advocates, clients, students and community members have stepped up to the plate to say we want more, we need more and we deserve more. This group can affect public policy decisions and change the political system. The power of people.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, supreme genius of modern German literature said, “Treat a man as he appears to be and you make him worse. But treat a man as if he already were what he potentially could be, and you make him what he should be.” Regardless of our background, social status, or education we should see people for what they can be and when a part of a community what we all can accomplish. As a community we need to pick our battles, find our voice and fight for the programs, policies, services and people we believe in. 

--Krystal