OnLine With Zoe

The Hip New Prayer ~ My God Really Likes Me.

I am interested in the Super Bowl this year for the same reasons I have always been interested in the Super Bowl; women. 

I imagine that a lot of men will miss the Tebow commercial all together as they will be peeing out a Coors or hitting their wife for not getting the next one fast enough.  You could read that sentence and think I am a man-hater and you would be so very wrong.  I am a hater of jacked-up violence, gang mentality, testosterone overdoses and entitlement.

If you have been following the story about the Tebow ad you know it is brought to you by Focus on the Family, a right-wing extremist christian fundamentalist evangelical group of people who really want you to think like them – ok behave as they say (not as they do).  Can we stop for a special 30 seconds and wonder where this 2.4 million came from?  Is it from seniors sending in 20% of their social security?  Someone paid for this ad – and I don’t think it is the rich men who live at the C Street House. 

Theoretically this ad celebrates the choice Mrs Tebow made.  Take a look at this.  Since 1930 abortion has been illegal in the Philippines.  The Catholic Church has made sure of that.  There is no exception, not the life of the mother, not the cause of the pregnancy, nothing.  In 2008, 1,000 women died from illegal abortions and ten times that suffered complications from attempting an abortion. 

While in the Philippines, doing missionary work, Mrs Tebow developed amoebic dysentery, went into a coma and took large doses of antibiotics.  Her doctors advised her to end her pregnancy.  She did not, had a boy and named him Tim.  The Super Bowl ad celebrates her fifth child, Heisman trophy winner Tim.  And of course we know what a fine young man he is because he puts bible verses on his face. 

Had Mrs Tebow been in the United States in 1987, when she was pregnant, she would have had all of her options explained to her – as is the law.  The United States Supreme Court had already ruled that a woman can inquire about all her options and can make an informed choice.  The choice is hers and, in fact, she can decide if she wants any input from a doctor, minister, family member.  In other words – SHE IS TRUSTED. 

If Pam Tebow had all of the options in front of her and chose to risk her life to see if the fetus would develop into a well baby surviving birth, that would be her choice and, being her choice, we could all celebrate that her gamble worked out.  However she had no options, she had no choices, she is the living example of what would happen if Roe was lost.  Her survival and that of her baby was not a choice.

But even all of that being debated on every TV channel, blogs and op-pages does not touch what is the most dangerous component at play here.  CBS turned down ads from ManCrunch, PETA and GoDaddy but are standing strong on this one from Focus on the Family.  This is another injection of evangelical values into everyday American culture.  The sign of the cross at the batter’s box, a kneeling vision to heaven as the ball crosses the finish line, kissing a St Christopher medal before the free-shot, a thank you at the award podium are the new hip prayer that says to everyone, I am a Christian and my god really likes me.

I hear another prayer; Please don’t hit me, please don’t rape me, please don’t hurt me.  Dear god, don’t let me bleed out, protect my children, don’t kill me because I am queer.  How do I feed my kids, find a job, pay the rent.  Today CNN covered the National Prayer Breakfast and instead of focusing on Clinton and Obama speaking strongly against the Ugandan Bill #18, calling for the execution of homosexuals and three years imprisonment for not turning anyone for being a homosexual, CNN played footage of Tim Tebow signing autographs and offering the final prayer. 

Dear God, send us a miracle that shows us that you don’t care who wins at sports, that you want humans to love one another and that one’s conscience is a private matter.

I Am An Aggravated Homosexual

Believe it or not these simple words, AGGRAVATED HOMOSEXUAL, may be enough to execute someone in Uganda.  A law calling for the death penalty is under consideration with the date galloping towards us.  There is some faint conversation about reducing the sentence to life in prison but every discussion ends with a firm commitment to seek the preferred penalty; execution. 

If you watch Rachel Maddow or are friends with me on Facebook, you know all about this proposed law.  I have been harping about it on Facebook for weeks.  To my surprise, people have been slow to boil on this.  Thankfully there are pieces in both the LA Times and NY Times today, but if you want news as it breaks you can read Box Turtle Bulletin or a blog by a Ugandan gay man who fears for his life. 

SOS Clinton spoke to this on December 14 and we have yet to hear from the President. 

On Sept. 25, 2009, David Bahati, member of the Ugandan Parliament, introduced the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 for review and vote by parliament. The most controversial part of the bill calls for the death penalty for people convicted of "aggravated homosexuality."   Uganda Minister Martin Ssempa is calling for a nationwide demonstration in support of Uganda #18 on January 19, 2010. 

The why?  There is no answer, as it is madness.  Here are a few things that are being said.  They think that it is to protect the family.  The US preachers told them that homosexuals are intentionally colonizing Africa.  They have paraded a variety of people who claim that homosexuality is not only a preference but the manifestation of evil.  They offer prayer camp and, for women, they attempt to rape women out of being lesbian. 

This is not about HIV/AIDS.  This is not about a penalty for men who believe there is a cure in raping little girls.  This is an irrational frenzy, whipped up by US evangelicals and supported by madmen.  This is beyond Arthur Miller or William Peter Blatty.  This is real and it is SOON and we must resist the instant feeling to reject this because it is so out-rage-ous.  
     
Admittedly, I am baffled as to why I am so drawn to this injustice; there are so many happening world wide.  My commitment has always been to American social justice but there is something special going on here and I feel like a mother bear who senses danger looming in the distance. 

Another reason I am drawn is that Americans have inspired this genocide, many of them from Southern California and, of course, my personal favorite faux Christian, Rick Warren who just summoned up 2.4 million in three days from his OC congregation.  (I just can’t believe the residents of Lake Forest know where their money is going.)   African men and women are facing hell itself with the masquerade that  there is a queer agenda of destroying the “opposite sex” family unit.  Maybe the preachers, along with Carrie Prejean, could just not get enough traction on the subject here in the US. 

The Father of the New Civil Rights Movement.

If you are not already reading David Mixner’s website, Live From Hell’s Kitchen, then begin today.  It is the heartbeat, the voice, the intersection of the New Civil Rights Movement in America.  Certainly David would be the last to say so but that is only another indication of his place in this river of change. 

If you were fortunate to be at the National Equality March, you saw thousands of rainbow draped people marching past the White House on their way to Congress.  I was there, as I had been a dozen times before, and this march was like no other.  This was not angry, not demanding, not insisting that some outcome be averted.  Conversation was not desperate or chants goading.  This was celebration and if you are not around young LGBT much, let me share with you that this celebration is the outburst of 200,000 people all being OUT or okay hanging with people who are OUT. 

Yes, there was awareness that many who were not there wanted to be out, to be safe, to be loved.  We all know about hate crimes.  Judy Shepard spoke and every one of us know someone who is living in isolation or died alone.  However my point is that this gathering was bubbling with joy, love, pride and a deep understanding that rights and equality are on the way.

Several people I know here in Southern California went to Maine the last couple of weeks.  As with all activism, the action starts with full belief in success.  They begged for money, packed their bags and expected to come home having sustained Marriage Equality for Maine.  Once again we woke up on a Nov 4th to the majority of voters fearfully shunning LGB people.  The loss is the opposite of what I felt in DC at the march; it is a room without oxygen, without color, joyless.       

I want to stop this feeling of a collective momentum against queers.  I am wondering if this is actually about referendums, propositions and the majority hoarding their perceived rights which is the historical precedent.  Is this so egregious in its application that it will call on the American conscience to stop even soliciting justice from the majority.  It is not proper to ask, to expect, to empower the majority to protect the rights of a minority.  Wiser people than I knew that ~ when did we lose that thread?

The diagnosis and resolution of that conflict is not my focus (though we need it to be championed by some).  I am always and only concerned with equality which brings me to the discussion about the ideas, opinions and actions of David Mixner who is becoming the organic bellwether of this Civil Rights Movement.  Today he posted the second in a serious of writings on the loss of Marriage Equal rights, when the voters are asked to protect a minority.  He has done what needs to be done which is stop naming this movement marriage equality, military service, assigning the status of hate crimes – running piecemeal state – to – state and name it what it is: CIVIL RIGHTS. 

This is the next footfall in the march of human rights.  This is a breathing, growing expression of diversity within the human race and it cannot be marginalized, brutalized, isolated, ignored any more.  There is not another moment to wait, another omen to be unveiled, another tragic loss to be survived for everyone who believes in civil rights to name this movement, join this movement, embrace and escalate this movement.

In close I want to include in this clarion call to recognize our leaders, join with one another and dedicate ourselves to this just cause ~ a sincere and wise caution: we must be vigilant to be that which we want to create.  We have to become and behave as the society which we want.  Within our ranks we have to include LGBTAIQQ, all genders, sexes, ages and races PERIOD.  We need women in leadership, welcome our advocates, include people of color.  We need to bridge generations, honoring passion in the young and the veteran.  More simply: We must be the change we want to see.  No one is equal until everyone is equal. 

Equality ~ Nothing Less Will Do

The Equal Rights Amendment has been on my mind, in my spirit and written across my heart for over 30 years.  After going to the National Equality March it is crystal clear to me that the country is roaring with the word EQUALITY and this is the perfect time to build an ERA internet portal.   It has been a long time dream of mine to have one central  location on the internet where people could find current information on constitutional equality. 

On Wednesday, October 14 I woke up at 3 AM with the words ERA ONCE AND FOR ALL blinking in my mind – like a neon sign.  By noon I bought the url, opened the twitter account (@eraforall) started a facebook page and got a gmail account.  I suppose it is proof that when it is the right thing do to – it all just comes together.  With the help of my electronic tribe; Phillip, Everett and Patty, it came together in 15 days.  http://ERAOnceandForAll.com 

There are lots of ERA sites, most are campaigning for one specific strategy to advance constitutional equality. I don’t mind that so much as I mind being negative about any other strategy.  I have zero interest in speaking against any strategy.  Spiritually, there is nothing to be gained by speaking against either strategy, everything to gain by supporting both and, finally, when one catches fire ~ we can all push like hell together!

Http://eraonceandforall.com  ‘s mission  is
•  support all strategies for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment
•  distribution of information on the current status of the ERA
•  education on the history of the ERA

Check out the fantastic endorsement page = http://eraonceandforall.com/endorsements.html 

Email your name and organization and business to be listed.  You are all welcome to comment, to send in things to post, to note actions.  Do you have a site or ERA blog you would like listed?     

This last week I have been spinning in a cyclone of miracles.  One of them is that for the very first time, I saw video of the 1982 fast.  I made a video of it playing on my computer.  It is very degraded and 27 years old but you may enjoy it anyway.

Invest in Students ~ Invest in Change

Reprinted with permission from the October Issue of Ladybug Flights.

Several months ago a rumbling began in the LGBT movement, propelled by the cascade of states ready to recognize the pairing of non-straight people and the shocking loss of marriage equality in California. A few national organizations started talking about a National March on the Mall for Equality.

As we are Americans, everyone had an opinion. Many felt and some still feel that it is not the right time because we are working hard in many states, mostly running on fumes, fund raising, collecting signatures, electing politicians who are ready to embrace that humanity is diverse. Others put their heads down, got the required permits and put one foot in front of another. For weeks blogs, posts, tweets were argumentative, contentious, competitive, mostly questioning the timing or defending a national march.

I never questioned for one moment. To me nothing is as effective, productive, long lasting, transforming as a march. I posted the question on Facebook ~ how did your life of activism begin and everyone who responded said it was a march. From the moment the decision is made, an individual begins planning, thinking, dreaming (possibly scheming) about the march. The three hours of walking and listening to speakers is only the cherry on top of the sumptuous sundae of becoming a changemaker.

Today you can effectively participate in politics, movements, marches right there at your desk or on your couch. You can collect signatures, blog, post, tweet, make calls, reach out through a network of your own design. If you can't go to a march for any reason, you can sponsor someone who can. It is an investment with high yield returns. Gandhi's life would have been entirely different without, Herman Kallenbach and the dozens of benefactors who contributed to the ashram and the campaign. You will be confirming someone's ideals and making it possible to see them realized.
   
One group that has caught my attention is Students for the National Equality March. Through the spectacular social media network of Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, this is a national organization supporting students who have the time, the passion, the character to come to Washington DC for the March for Equality but need sponsorship. In addition, members of Students for the National March for Equality will be posting and tweeting, so you can follow minute by minute. This is the new electronic movement; exciting and unstoppable.

Of course the real payoff happens when that marcher comes home. They are, not just changed, but are now a changemaker. They have found that an ideal, manifest in community, is irresistible.

Happily over 200 organizations have endorsed the National March for Equality and are collecting a force for change. You can find out all about it at Equality Across America. The excitement is building. The District of Columbia is voting on marriage equality, Rep Nadler is introducing a bill to repeal DOMA, Vermont has Hubby, Hubby ice cream to celebrate gay marriage. The country is on the March! I marched in 1968, 71, 72, 78, 80, …. and 2009! I hope you will march with me in person or virtually.

The Suffering of Change

Friday I went to hear His Holiness, the Dalai Lama speak and to receive the Amitabha Buddha Initiation.  The Teaching was very complex, as Tibetan Buddhism always is.  There is a form of Buddhism for everyone and if you like complex diagrams, higher math and puzzles, Tibetan Buddhism may be the right one for you.  HHDL talked about the Four Noble Truths, the three turns of the Wheel of Dharma, the eight fold path, the three vehicles of Buddhism, the six transcendent perfections, etc.  After sitting in meditation halls, listening to complex Tibetan teachings for many, many years I know the best thing to do is to let it all pour through me, around me and not bother trying to keep careful score.  It is much more interesting to wait a bit and see what surfaces above the rest.
 
Embedded in the talk was a long section on the three forms of suffering, the second of which is the Suffering of Change.  It is my take-away.  Change is a central linchpin in my life.  Personally, I am not a fan of change.  I feel like I am hanging off a cliff at any given moment, testing the limits of social convention so when I am asked to change, yet again, I really dig in.  But I am persistent asking others to change.  Mostly I ask by just being in their vicinity.  I look like a big old nun (until the tattoo shows and no it is not a pin-up) and then I make sure to use a word or two that ruffles; queer, abortion, atheist, pacifist.  I like watching them adjust, like someone squinting on a bright afternoon exiting a dark movie theater.

I find it is interesting to mess with the lines of social convention ~ touching the border, reaching over the border for a split second.  When I was seven or eight and not allowed in my big brother’s room, I would stand at the line in the carpet, dabbing my big toe on the forbidden side for half a shake of a lamb’s tale, singing, na, na, na, na, na.  And then run for my life back to my room, throwing myself on the bed as if I had shattered a window or robbed a bank.  My brother appeared entirely bored but I was certain he was pretending.
 
Usually when I talk to a group, I gage my language, measure my anecdotes, jab a bit, push a little; test them for tolerance and me for good judgment.   It’s a skill figuring out how much you can ask of people before they can’t hear any more.  And recently it sure seems that a lot of people are freaking out.  Every day there are news stories about people working to stop change; unprecedented numbers of organized protesters outside of over two hundred Planned Parenthood clinics, anti-health care reform demonstrators with anti-etiquette acting out, neo-nazis in Riverside exploding over immigration laws, tea partiers brandishing posters of the president as an African cartoon or dictator icons.  Conservative Americans are flailing at sea.

They are up to their elbows and earlobes in the Suffering of Change.  Society is changing; that is the fact.  As society advances, people want to be paid, be well, be equal.  Today, humanity, in all her variations, is demanding and, occasionally, seizing equality.  The US government is on the brink of joining the rest of the Western world in caring for all citizens, well and sick.  Women are ascending, ever so slowly.  Wages, weather, weapons, vehicles, riches, taxes; change is rising above the surface and cannot be ignored.

Conservatives are drowning in the Suffering of Change and one way or another they are going to find out that the Suffering of Change is relieved by detaching from the familiar or by embracing the unknown.  The worst possible thing to do is try to stop the change; it is a sure fire failure.
 
Watching people work so hard to resist these modern changes is sort of painful.  I do not celebrate that people are frightened by the changes that are unfolding, inevitable, well under way.  I find it truly sad and so upsetting that they are torturing and killing changemakers.  Like my brother sitting at his desk in his room, while his obnoxious little sister taunts him at the threshold, it is best to not run out yelling, throw a few slaps, slam the door; better to endure, feign indifference or, better yet, just realize that this is what kids do as they grow up and become responsible adults.

The Implosion of a Mountain of Bigotry

There is something so palpable afoot in America today.  You can see it in print, feel it in the crowds, hear it on the radio, maybe even watch it at your family dinner table.  Things are changing.  Looking back it seems kind of funny that Barack Obama used the slogan Change You Can Believe In.  The fact of life is that change is always happening and all pain dwells in trying to stop it, control it, ignore it, deny it.
 
But the country is heaving with change these days.  The people who want no change (some even want to go backwards) are so morally, emotionally, spiritually bankrupt that they can only behave like bullies, village idiots, buffoons.  You can find them at town halls, on the Mall, protesting high school performances of Rent, forcing truancy on their kids to avoid hearing a Black man to tell them to work hard in school and to wash their hands.  They are birthers, deathers, yellers, shouters, blusterers; fundamentally they are gasping on fumes of their own exhale.

President Carter said that he believes some of the animosity being thrown at President Obama is happening because some Americans (mostly Southerners) do not believe an African American could be qualified to lead the country.  I think that is a very light touch on the mountain of bigotry that is bubbling underneath an ever thinning veneer.  I believe that this particular group of people cannot follow a Black leader, cannot be led by a Black leader.  And to go a bit deeper on this subject, they cannot reconcile that they made much of this possible through granting full citizenship to Black men, integrating schools, enacting affirmative action.  As I heard a woman on KPFK say, (I am sorry I did not get her name) “Once he got elected, some people were shocked that it happened and their hoods fell off.”  My opinion is that if you don’t see that this is all about racism, you need to do a lot of work on your racism.  To hear Mr. Gibbs say today, at the White House Press conference, that President Obama thinks this has nothing to do with race was so unauthentic, so insincere, so disheartening that I can only shake my head in disgust that it is so bad, Barack Obama cannot address this obvious racial bigotry.  I do understand that it would contribute to its volatility for him to name it; but it is pathetic.

We are in an arm wrestling tournament in regards to health care.  This is only and all about caring for others who did not accrue the ability to care for themselves.  On one hand, this is very, very complicated.  Are they poor?  Are they unable to work?  Are they lazy?  The racists might even think that not caring for the poor is one way to keep people of color from advancing – hoping for a high mortality rate, not just for babies, but for those who have no access to wellness, good food, clean water and clean air.  (and yes, they are really pissed off that one Barack Obama broke out of the hobbled pack)  But on the other hand it could not be easier; we have enough for every man, woman and child to be cared for and to deny that care is immoral.  I believe that only conversation that should be going on in regards to health care is how to take care of everyone ASAP.

Progressives are collecting their spirit, counting breaths, identifying causes, holding the line of sight on Equality.  All of this push back is ugly, scary, should I even say ~ violent but it means people can feel that change is a comin’. 

Mr President, You Have Lost the Plot

Van Jones resigned and said it was apparent that he would be in the way of the president's plans.  Well I can say, after 8 months, the president is in the way of my plans. 

I don't want to hear from Hillary fans who are thinking, "I told you so." This has nothing to do with that event which has most definitely sailed.  My opinion is about now, today, this week, this president.  I voted for the party, the platform, the alliance of the House, the Senate, the White House and, hopefully, a certainty that the Supreme Court appointees would be pro-woman, pro-labor, pro-humanity (as opposed to pro-corporate).  It was a matter of creating an unstoppable coalition of democrats, a majority of democrats to finally bring the USA into a global conversation about climate, economics, education, military, sexual orientation and, finally, join the intelligent evolved countries in assuring health care for every citizen. 

The fact that this candidate is Black, a Harvard graduate, a community organizer, the father of two girls I held some predictable expectations.  I thought he would be a champion of the poor, the disenfranchised, those seeking equality.  I thought he would surpass Clinton and Bush, who each had 6 women in the cabinet (he has 4).  I thought he would close the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, (he expanded it).  I thought he would sign the matched set of laws; the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Par Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act.  He signed one leaving the other necessary arm dangling thus rendering his signature a photo-op. 

He stated clearly that he would be a "fierce advocate" for LGBT.  Was that promise fulfilled by awarding  posthumous medal to Harvey Milk?  But what of my friends who are out of the military, stripped of all benefits, my paired friends facing their marriages being dissolved and why did he not require health insurance for domestic partners working in government?  Another sliver we were offered was inviting Reverend Robinson to give the closing prayer at the inauguration, after Rick Warren opened it.  These trifles are not just meaningless but insulting as DADT and DOMA are intact.

And what of women?  Was I entirely wrong to think, because his mother had ovarian cancer that he would never bargain with women's reproductive health?  He lives with four females but drops women's reproductive health from the Health Care Reform Plan?  Funding for women is the first to go as if it is always in play, the easiest to desert.  Finally, didn’t I vote for someone who was going to shut down the US involvement in Iraq?  What was in his mind when he made those promises?  Did he know then he would actually escalate in Afghanistan, send troops back for more tours, replace Guantanamo; not end all torture.  I did believe he knew that you can't kill your way to democracy. 

For months friends told me to give him time.  I have read that most of his appointees aren’t even n place yet though I find that, in itself, disturbing.  I tried to understand his leadership methodology, thinking maybe he is using Wheatley, Senge, and misc authors from Barrett Koehler.  However now, if he is using some type of leadership model, he has lost the plot.  You cannot drop those whom you have collected.  You cannot dump your believers, your followers, your visionaries, your workers, your donors.  Why is the agreement of Olympia Snow more important than 86 Democratic members of the House? 

Rule of Thumb: You build the unified tribe, remember the promises you made to them, holding their support as your empowerment to meet the unified mission.  As your brave tribe members (such as Mr. Jones) are attacked, you defend them.  But instead, one by one we are being abandoned.  You are taking our support for granted.  It is insulting.  You are obviously not as smart as you think you are, as I thought you are, as you need to be. 

John Dean Needs to March

Like many people I have several google alerts.  Mine are set to Equal Rights Amendment, Feminism, National Organization for Women and Zoe Nicholson.  In fact, I keep up on all the Zoe Nicholsons around the world; the athlete in Australia is doing very well.  This week I got one that pointed to John Dean and the ERA. 

His essay, "Health Care Reform; A Time for Real Action," appeared August 21, 2009 on the FindLaw website.   I scanned to find what this had to do with the ERA and I found a series of paragraphs beginning with, "Marches on Washington Change Nothing."  He goes on to say that, Marches on Washington do not result in new laws or fundamental changes in policy. Such high-profile demonstrations have a long, and tired, history throughout the last century. If you examine a few of the many celebrated demonstrations, it is clear that they accomplish little – other than symbolism.

In an attempt to validate his point he lists; 1913 ~ March for Suffrage, 1932 ~ vets march for war bonuses, 1963 ~ Civil Rights March when Dr King delivered. "I have a Dream" (August 28, 1963), dozens of marches to protest the Viet Nam War and finally 1978 ~ when 100,000 Americans marched for Constitutional Equality. 

He concludes this section with, In fact, there have been so many marches on Washington that even their symbolism has been diluted. Such gatherings once created networks for people who, after meeting in Washington, continued to work -- usually with more success -- in their respective states. But the Internet means that it is no longer necessary to travel to Washington to join a community of like-thinking people who are interested in taking action.  I know John Dean is a very educated and articulate man but he has this beyond wrong. 

If you ask any activist what made them realize who they are, what is important and why they live a life of activism, chances are they will tell the first march they were in.  Was it the Mother's Day March, was it civil rights, was it just the courage to stand on a corner with a sign. 

It was that single moment of full democratic  participation that lasts a lifetime.  It is indelible, significant, sustaining and the very best part of being an American. 

So John Dean thinks marches are not "real action."  I am sorry for you, John.  Maybe real action for you is at the Watergate, in some elite halls, maybe ivy walls but for those of us who see the streets as our halls ~ marches are our lighten rod, the ocean where we set our sails for change.    

Waiting is NOT Activism

The waiting for an organic leader to arise is really the acknowledgment that no leader has, of yet, been able to command a following capable of creating a desired change.  There may be hundreds who see the vision, share the goal, but there needs to be enough people called to action.  In the 60’s it seemed as if people were already on their feet – ready to move society along – but in reality – it was a party – often a stoned party.  (see pot isn’t all that bad is it?)

Today the popular thinking is that evolution, leadership and change is collecting; we will know it when we see it.  We are spinning and coalescing through social networking and theories, such as Wheatley’s Leadership and the New Science, confirm the plan, assure the outcome.  However we need to admit, the sooner the better, that something is seriously not working.  Today the suffering exceeds the importance of waiting for the organic leader to rise like yeast.  Today the wait has become the excuse.  Today people have validating this waiting period naming it the activism itself.  It is not active- it is waiting.
 
So no organic leader?  Why is that?  Is no one attractive enough?  No one put in the time?  No one willing to risk their access to the political leaders?  Are we repulsed that these organizers are paid too much and are now so socially admired, that they won’t risk being unpopular?  Frankly, I still get heat about fasting in 1982.  There are some who say that the problem with the fast was there were only seven people but  believe me when I tell you that the ascended, crowned and tidy leaders still think of it as a spoiler.
 
I myself would prefer to operate with a true organic leader.  As Robert Greenleaf says in, The Servant as Leader, this is someone who is regarded, depended on, knows the path and, without election or appointment, commands the attention of those who want to get somewhere.  One of Greenleaf’s fine examples is Leo, the Sherpa, in Journey to the East.  He is the travelers’ leader and they don’t even know it.  They don’t need to know it.  They are just led.  He cooks, he reads the map and, in doing it so well, the followers are at ease.  It is in Leo’s disappearance that his function is recognized.
 
I have read that Joe Solmonese says there is no organic leader in the LGBT movement.  The New Science on this is that the will of the people is the leader; the collected intention is the leader.  That has been my thinking as well.  But today I am at pause about it because Barack Obama is breaking the rhythm, the process, the order of things in a way that does not fit this paradigm so I have to ask if the opening salvo is still applicable.
 
Obama had all the appearance of a true servant leader.  He arose from conditions that would convey that he knows both the rich and the poor, many races, many religions and would not forget.  His years as a community organizer gave us a reason to feel confident about him.  He appeared to have the map, he could read a compass, he knew where to buy the food and could recommend travel gear and we read the brochure and signed up on his trek through the mountains.  In fact, we even changed the color guard from red to blue ~ to advance our causes.  However we need to see that the fire has gone out, the map is abandoned, our pilgrimage to social justice has been threatened, if not eviscerated.  He is not leading, he is not in our service, he is not our servant leader.
 
What do you do when the servant leader has abandoned post?  I can tell what NOT to do.  You don’t stand around waiting for them to reappear.  You don’t spend precious time pouring over all the wonderful words he said while marketing the trek.  You don’t “behave” yourself hoping he will be back.  I can also tell you what to do.  You recognize that he is gone.  You have no leader.  The fire is going out.  The food supply is diminishing.  People are suffering.
 
What do you do when there is a goal, a vision and need an organic leader?  You stop insisting you like the one you elected, stop holding him as the visionary, MOVE ON.