Real Change: Real Engagement: Real Futures

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I sat with my 14 year old son last night, watching a movie where a meaningful town hall meeting was held. To my surprise, he asked, "mom, is that what really happens at town hall meetings?" My reply, "it's suppose to". His reply, "well, if real things are being talked about, then I'd really love to go to one and make a difference in the community".

This is one of those moments, as a parent, when you realize you missed the boat. I fogot to teach him about REAL democracy and that the heart of change making is more than the vote: it's involvement.

The truth is, I can think of no opportunity in which my son can participate in a town meeting, even though his young creative voice is worth listening to. We have forgotten the value of the town hall gathering, and it's time to bring it back.

What I liked about Voices for Choices is that it created the THIRST for dialogue at a community level. It was a starter for something bigger brewing in the region: something we should all be excited about becoming involved in.

The Northeast Ohio Citizens League is now forming, under the leadership of Mike Gesing. And I can't wait to bring my son to those meetings. Like any new entity, there's a lot to learn - but I think the need to shape citizen voice into action will be the missing added ingredient to the regionalism picture.

The truth is, I myself have not been involved as a citizen, and as a result, I didn't teach it to my son. Lucky for me, once again, he becomes my teacher.

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Comments

# Submitted by Arnold L. Johnson (not verified) on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 11:23.

I think you are so right on so many levels. In my town the sorriest sight is VFW, ethnic and union halls all rarely used these days. Not that I promote their agendas but for the folk who filled them at one time they were a pool of ideas and strength. Today we don't even know who the guy next door is and we can't trust people in our own neighborhood. Community groups like the boy scouts were a big deal when I was a kid, even though some kids teased and scoffed at the notion. Here is the kicker, some folks tinkering with electronics, some college kids with engineering aspirations happen to trade notes in "homebrew clubs" and garages. They began the personal computer revolution we contend with today. Now we have the next generation, having grown up to be "users" of this technology, thinking they can figure it out and deal with it by themselves. The computer groups today are filled with older folk trying to catchup and be informed. Do kids today think it is macho or cool or what ever to be so independent as to not be attached to other people? If kids today think they will be contented beneficiaries of a world created by the previous generation, they are doomed to species extinction or at least a startling wakeup when things are not so great. To find you had a voice in things all along and not used it till later in life is not so cool at all. It is good to start young being engaged and involved. Develop your voice, have a say in things, participate, trade notes and be a community.