You know, it’s interesting to go to these things, especially when they’re not held in your own ‘hood. For me, it was either Roxbury or Lawrence, either one vastly different from my hometown of Medford. In Roxbury, prison reform and trying to reintegrate folks leaving prison is a big deal. I must have heard that five times. I hate to sound like a White Guy That Doesn’t Get It, but I don’t think one gets any idea from the mainstream media of what matters to folks in minority communities in the urban centers. The debate on CORI in the election season was so one-sided, you really didn’t get an idea of the real impact that these laws have on the life of neighborhoods. This may seem far afield from “civic engagement” per se; but we’re talking about the very basic elements of getting people reintegrated into society, building “social capital”. That is indeed a civic engagement of sorts.
Perhaps the most touching statement came from Lawyer Johnson, a man convicted in 1971 for a murder he did not commit. Overcoming his nervousness, Mr. Johnson said that he hoped that Gov. Patrick would “change the culture that makes people think that people in prison come from prison.” You know, I hope that more of our opinion leaders take the time to understand what exactly our criminal justice system is doing to certain neighborhoods. It’s not serving the goal of public safety for the folks that happen to live in the middle of it. Time to stop playing fear-politics get the policies right — for both taxpayers and residents.
It was remarkable how many different people focused on the same small set of things. Yes, some people didn’t, and some who did added other things, so there was a broad range of issues mentioned once. And each person added their own twist, their own contribution. But overall, I got a sense of focus and a few core concerns:
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I thought about what to say ahead of time, and when I got to the meeting I was well into the process of narrowing down what I’d talk about. When I saw what the format would be – basically, people called up one by one to speak for up to two minutes each – I realized I’d have to focus on just one thing, and it was very hard to choose, but I chose: Using issue-focused public meetings on relevant topics as a way to break through the mental barrier most people have about doing or going to anything “political”.
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Use Pat Jehlen’s forums as a model (Charley spoke before me and mentioned those in passing, I brought up Bernie Sanders when I spoke about it later :). The idea is to have these on an ongoing basis all over the state, on topics that people want to learn about and that feel close to their lives. Have the actual policymakers come to these meetings to both present and take questions & suggestions, as well as civic groups involved in advocating for things related to the topic. [ For example, one of the speakers at Pat Jehlen’s forum on the health care law was from GBIO, which has done a tremendous job of collecting real data from real people & families about their financial status, home budgets, and what health care is “affordable”. If the Connector comes up with a sound definition of “affordable” such that the individual mandate doesn’t screw mid-low income people, we’ll have GBIO to thank for it. ] I suggested a few possible topics:
… and then use these forum events as a way to gradually, nonthreateningly integrate people who “don’t do politics” into the process of governing. They come to learn why their neighborhood’s been having power outages, the leave having met a couple of their state legislators and chatted with them, and heard about some budget provision or pending bill in a way that directly relates to something they want (or don’t want). Two or three such meetings, and people start becoming politically literate, and democratically engaged.
Cos – twice a month, for six years, I sat in Senior Cneters, schools, libraries, etc., and had people drop in and catigate me on a first-come-first-serve basis. It never occurred to our legislative office to behave any other way. I let people vent about state government and its actions, pro and con, helped people with MassHealth applications, driver’s licenses, geting CVS to pay for a blouse snagged on a display moved into an aisle and blocking a wheelchair, and…and…and…
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Kudos to Rep. Jehlen, but really, why a forum with a special topic? Tell me – WHY are people who neglect their constituents reelected?
I don’t see what connections you’re making between the things you say in this comment. I don’t understand how any of what you said suggests that having forums like this would not be a good idea. It’s not that I disagree with anything in particular, I just don’t get the point you’re making. What do you see as a problem with these forums?
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I’ve found them to be extremely useful, many other people have, and I’ve seen them draw people who don’t normally get involved in “politics”. They’ve also kept elected officials who do them (Jehlen, Sanders) better connected with their public, more popular at election time, and improved their ability to do a good job.
I might have to apply for a job…I’m doing far too much of this “civic engagement” without any pay on my own time lately. Even if it’s just part time for like 1/4 my usual hourly rate.
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sigh
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I’m kidding – I like being independent and all. But I’m really enjoying all the volunteer work, except I’ll have to cut back sooner or later due to, I dunno, actually making some more cash.
if you can. I heard that 32% of Americans are or have been in jail. That is a staggering amount!
Yet, when I counted how many people I knew, or knew second hand, who had been in jail, it wasn’t so far fetched. And I’m a law abiding person who has very few traffic tickets, goes to court for jury duty.