“May you live in interesting times” is claimed by some to be an English translation of an ancient curse. During these “interesting times,” it feels like that may very well be true.
Like many islanders, we at Indivisible Vashon view the administration as a wrecking ball directed at the foundations of our 250-year-old republic, the global alliances that have fostered an 80-year period of relatively peaceful coexistence between nations, and many, many other precious rights.
We also have faith that disruptive times can lead to positive change. The American Civil War led to the abolition of slavery. The Civil Rights Movement led to expanded voting rights. The 1969 Stonewall Riots led to widespread acceptance of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The Beachcomber has graciously covered Indivisible Vashon’s visible activism and that of our friends at Vashon-Maury Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) and Backbone Campaign. What’s visible, however, doesn’t reveal what happens behind the scenes and how islanders are joining together to make positive change.
Since our inception in February 2017, teams of Indivisible Vashon volunteers have been working toward healthy, thriving communities and a multi-cultural, equitable, truly representative government by and for the people.
Our Immigrant/Refugee Rights team works with immigrant-led and other trusted partners to support policy changes, human rights and inclusion of all. Providing support and protection to our more vulnerable community members serves and protects all of us.
Our Protest team, including the boisterous Bucket Brigade, raises awareness of administration atrocities through our collective voice. Protest signs, bucket drums, costumes, vuvuzelas, and music — they are all welcome additions to this chorus.
Our emerging Theatre for Social Change brings historic revolutionary figures to life, in full period dress, to provide engaging and meaningful perspective on our current times through the eyes of our founders. Their goal is to engage us all in a revolution of the heart.
Raising awareness of what we oppose helps clarify what we want. Our Policy Action teams strive to improve our lives and livelihoods, drawing support from a nationwide network of Indivisible Chapters’ cumulative experience gained over years of effective and impactful activism.
We believe success lies in electing effective leaders, then clearly articulating what we want them to do. Our Build a Progressive Majority team, in conjunction with the Vashon2Voters postcard-writing team, helps elect the right people to do the right things, both here at home and across the country.
All these actions are enabled by a caring and supportive community of like-minded Islanders who bring joy, safety and security to the work of spotlighting the current administration’s actions while mitigating the damage inflicted on its victims.
In short, Indivisible Vashon exists to enable your activism — which will help us all achieve the outcomes we so desperately need and deserve. In a democracy, the positive outcomes resulting from tumultuous times reflect the values of the majority. Now is the time for a majority of us to rise in concert together, since it really is, in the words of Benjamin Franklin, “a republic, if you can keep it.”
Our next meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, at the Vashon United Methodist Church. Doors open at 6:30 pm. We’ll see you there.
This commentary represents all the voices of the Indivisible Vashon leadership team, on which Kevin Jones is the longest serving member. Go to indivisiblevashon.org to learn more about each of the Indivisible Vashon teams mentioned above, and how to join them, or email info@indivisiblevashon.org.
