A political revolution has started, but it means more than just supporting candidates and voting. It means in some communities that the community has to get more involved with itself. Others have to get a little more involved, and some are already doing a pretty good job of things. But, the key is to get everyone involved in all communities.
I’m not talking just the parents, or the cops, or the neighborhood watch. I mean everyone. When I was a youngster it made a difference into whether I did things I knew I wasn’t supposed to or not if I knew the neighbor was watching. Since I knew she could call my mom in an instant if I was up to no good, and then I was in for a lecture. But, she also called if I was doing good and that got me praise. When we were playing out after dark the cops in the area would stop by and check on us ask us if everything was alright and if we needed anything. They would chat with us for a few minutes to get the general feel of the air. They depended on us for information as well as making sure we were safe, and they gave us respect as well as receiving it in return.
Elderly folks that needed errands run could depend on us or adults in the neighborhood to run to the store for them if they couldn’t get out. True, we got a soda or snack in return even if we tried refusing. But, they also looked out for us from their windows like guardian angels. The community as a whole went to PTA meetings because they cared about the education of the kids and did what they could to help. There were local after school programs even for teens, beyond just the Boys and Girls Club and the teen centers we see for the immediate after school times. They were around for those times just before dinner when teens could get into the most trouble. They would run till about 7pm in my area so we would have a little bit of a late dinner. The important thing is it kept us out of trouble.
We even raised money for a dance and kept it civil without school supervision, thanks to the community coming together. They let us be us and we gave a bit to them and let them party, too. It was a great night for the whole community who came together. Yeah I know I am rambling, but, my point is when communities work together there can be a lot of fun and less stress. Everyone can share the burden and help out in some little way.
We are stronger together than divided as Michelle Obama has said many times. Imagine what can start with communities growing into whole towns and cities to counties to states to countries to the whole world working together for the betterment of everyone. Imagine how powerful that would be. It starts just with communities like ours all working together and then spreading to work with each other. Like a little seed turning into a rose bush.
