The Greatest Resolve Wins Every Time

Imagine it’s the day after the election. Did your candidates win? Did your referendum pass or fail? How do you feel? Did the people who share your perspectives have the greatest resolve?

I was recently speaking with a friend, reflecting on the state of our nation. She said something that stopped me in my tracks.

“Don’t think that smaller populations who exercise their voice can’t rule the day,” she said. “They rule the day all the time. Only 10% of the population was African American during the Civil Rights era.”

It really made me think.

During the Civil Rights Movement, in the 1950s and 1960s, Black people made up just 10% of the population. But they were resolved to see change and committed to bringing others along with them.

When the Marriage Equality Act was ratified, the LBGTQ+ community was not in the majority of the population. But they were – and had been – resolved for decades in their fight for equality.

And now, we are seeing changes that arguably do not align with the majority of our population.

Seventy percent of American’s believe in stricter gun control laws.

Pew Research shows six in 10 American’s believe abortion should be legal.

American’s widely support climate change laws according to Gallup, with 71% in favor of setting higher fuel efficiency standards and 62% in favor of establishing strict limits on the release of methane in the production of natural gas.

And yet, there is an opposing group who has demonstrated even more resolve, chipping away at their goals and putting people with their aligned values in place in local and state government to make the changes they want to see.

If people want to see change that reflects our collective values, we must be resolved in driving it.

We must be resolved in deepening our engagement at the state and local level.

We must be resolved in our goal of creating a more just and equitable world.

It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from Margaret Mead. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

I believe it’s a small group with the greatest resolve. In less than a week, we take to the polls in national, state and local elections.

Today, I ask you to deepen your resolve to create change.

Consider a cause you care about. First, get out and vote. Then utilize the Civic Circle to advance change by combining your powers into action. Finally, bring others along with you.

It may not be easy; it may not be quick. But the greatest resolve wins every time.?