I’m still having trouble not choking up when I think about what Obama achieved. His election reminds me with the force of a thunderclap that America remains the land of opportunity, the place where anyone can achieve what you put your mind to if you work hard enough. It brings to mind my youthful idealism as a college student, the firm belief that it is still possible to change the world despite the many obstacles arrayed against you.
But it would be a huge mistake to believe that the work is over…that we can pick up our Obama signs and lapel pins and go home for another four years. The struggle for Obama’s election was only prologue. Now comes Chapter 1, and the really hard work. If we become mistakenly complacent then the wondrousness of Obama’s election will go to waste, its promise unfulfilled.
So much work has to be done. Some of it is beyond our control–we can’t do much about Iran or the economic crisis, for example. But in almost every other thing in which Obama has promised change–energy independence, climate change, education, healthcare–he needs and expects that change will come from the ground up, not from the top down.
The passions of my choice are the environment and energy independence. Anticipating an Obama win and a new movement for change, earlier this year I got myself appointed to my County’s advisory commission on environment and energy issues, and also now serve on the Board of Directors for an environmental charity. I don’t know what form Obama’s call will take, but it will come. And when it does, I’ll be ready to take up his call….one person and one household at a time.
If every single household in America changed just one light bulb to compact fluorescent, we would generate enough surplus electricity to meet the needs of three million homes. Change, one person at a time, adds up to the gargantuan effect needed to solve our global problems.
So whether it be the environment, or Proposition 8 and gay rights, or healthcare, or education–what are you doing to make Obama’s call to change a reality?
If education is your interest, mentor a child or get involved with the local school board. If health care is your passion, volunteer at a community clinic. The environment? Volunteer for a local charity and help them clean up local streams, and change your lifestyle to be more environmentally friendly. Interested in policy? Go to City Council meetings and get appointed to their commissions.
Don’t make excuses. You don’t have to have a PhD or years of experience to join these local causes. They’re hungry for people to help them.
Get out there and get involved. If Obama issues a call to service on the subject of your choice, heed it. Otherwise, we’ll be sitting here reading and writing blogs four years from now, still complaining about wanting change and not getting it. Obama can get the ball rolling but the buck will ultimately stop with us.
Answer his call.
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