The Open Space of Democracy
November 2nd, 2008
After reading The Open Space of Democracy, by Terry Tempest Williams, I am full of hope and anticipation for the future. Her intelligence and knowledge shared have quenched a thirst I did not know I had, and made me thirsty again for more. The thirst is not only for her wise words, but for a knowledge of things as they exist and- in contrast- as I believe they must be.
I can see now how my part in democracy is as important today as were the parts played by our founding fathers years ago. They fought with patience, bravery, and an unending desire to understand and create a democracy for all Americans. They had the foresight and wisdom to create a government for the people, of the people and by the people- a government ever changing with the population that supports it and participates in it’s growth.
As an American it is my responsibility to preserve, change and grow our democratic republic as is needed in our current state- to contribute to an ever changing, ever evolving, and hopefully ever improving society.
Without each person as an active member of this democratic republic, it will be flawed, people will fall through the cracks and ultimately, we will fail. This is a civic duty that I have never recognized before. I have felt anything but powerful. I felt microscopic and insignificant when it came to politics and public interest, but I have changed.
If one person does not share or participate in this civic duty, they make a hole in the safety net of our great government. The web of our desire to preserve a functioning democratic republic must reach far and wide to encase the beauty and diversity of mankind.