Read this book if you:
Take 10 seconds and think about everything you own.
Try it. It’s a fun experiment.
Why didn’t you think of these?
Everyone in a community owns all these things.
Caring for things we all own is a privilege and responsibility called being civic.
Take another 10 seconds and think about where you live.
Now ask yourself: Why? Who decided to create your community this way? When? How?
Was your community created by a vote? No.
Voting is one easy way to give your opinion on certain issues, but it usually only happens one day a year. And only some people are allowed to vote or decide what goes on the ballot. Voting in an election can feel rewarding, but your community is a result of many decisions over time.
How can we get the same feeling of accomplishment that comes from voting in an election, but do it every day and make a bigger impact?
What can we do on the other 364 days of the year to influence the look and feel of our community?
We spend our time and money on what is necessary: working at our jobs, preparing food, taking care of family.
If anything is left over, how DO you spend your time and money?
In the last year did you go to any of these?
Yes, you probably did.
The people in charge of those activities assume we want to participate. That’s why they advertise to us and let us know exactly when, where, and how to get involved.
Did you attend meetings about these civic issues?
Probably not.
Did you even know the process was taking place?
Were these meetings in your language?
Were they at an accessible time and location?
Was there childcare or were the meetings child-friendly?
Did you believe attending the meeting would actually make a difference?
What if it could?
We have to vote every day if we want to actually have the power to make decisions for our communities.
It may be difficult.
It may be boring.
It may feel like other people don’t want us there or that we don’t belong.
Civic life is not a spectator sport.
We are not simply fans watching from the sidelines.
We are the referees making and enforcing the rules and we are also the players trying to win the game.
One policy won’t fix problems passed down through generations.
We can’t just vote to get rid of racism, classism, militarism, and sexism.
Those problems are like boulders rolling down a hill: they will continue unless people actively push them back up the hill.
It is impossible to be neutral in this situation. You are either okay with the way things are, or you are working to change it.
You either show up to make a decision or someone else will make a decision for you.
Showing up isn’t easy.
Schools, courts, governments, and economies are very large systems that can make us feel alone, unsure, and powerless to make change.
We are taught a polished version of history where only exceptional individual leaders create change, with perfect solutions, at exactly the right time.
The truth is that perfection is a myth, and we don’t have to do this work alone!
Civic power is the ability to make what you want for your community happen.
Groups of everyday people have pushed for civic power and have succeeded throughout history.
Our communities are rich with wisdom, experience, and creative people who know that voting every day is necessary and it works.
Scientists learn chemistry in labs: experimenting with chemicals, beakers, and instruments.
Chefs learn to cook in kitchens: experimenting with ingredients, measuring tools, and stoves.
Where do we learn how to use civic power?
We experiment in our communities: gathering with neighbors, sharing resources, crafting legislation, and celebrating our cultures.
You don’t learn how to swim by reading a book. You have to jump into the water!
So, grab a neighbor or a friend or enemy and get started!