Citizen Power by Mrs. Dorothy Barron
We can often become taciturn when dealing with the issue of government meeting the needs of society. Many times we want government to meet all of our or society’s unmet needs and then complain when the attempt is made to do so. Too many shift the responsibility of any and everything on the shoulders of the government and then complain only when it adversely affects one from a personal standpoint.
Government cannot regulate our thoughts or perhaps I should say, should not by law and from a human rights standpoint, nor all of our actions. Government can put all the regulatory measures in place it chooses, but it will not replace the vigilance of the general public or each person’s accountability for his/her own actions and deeds.
As a country and society, if we want our freedoms individually and collectively, we must act as responsible citizens and continue to work to retain or fully gain those freedoms. It is time for each of us to stand up and assist with putting America back on its feet. Will there be challenges to face; obstacles and possibly retaliation; was such not the case with those before you and I? There will continue to be those whose goal it is to prevent America from thriving and continuing to be a successful and prosperous nation; these individuals are accustomed to, capitalize upon and profit from failure. Also and sadly, many charged with protection of the rights of citizens and upholding the laws continue to fail to do so, thereby weakening society.
I have stated the above in an effort to say, as a nation, too many big businesses have usurped power over individuals and the American people at large and we act as if we are totally helpless, which we are not. Finding remedies simply entail looking to and having knowledge of the past or history; that is if we know it, have learned from it and can wisely utilize that which we have learned.
Take for instance, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Dr. Martin Luther King and his followers were beat up, spat upon, locked up and thoroughly abused. They were admired for their courage and fortitude. As a child and from a child’s perspective it appeared that significant change did not occur until four (4) things transpired: 1) Some not willing to adhere to non-violence in the face of physical abuse and long denied rights decided to fight back; 2) Black America’s plight and abuse drew national and international attention; 3) African Americans stood as a people with trained and committed attorneys who championed both the civil and human rights of and as a people and 4) One, if not the most conducive non-violent action consisted of the boycott of businesses. When Black America as a people climbed off segregated buses and businesses lost money, businesses sat up, took notice and change occurred!
I am noticing that people- individual citizens are beginning to take back power that rightly belongs to citizens and are using ordinary tools at their disposal to do so without violence- a video, post to the Internet of a business’ nefarious business practice(s) and it goes viral! Such can accomplish at least three things: 1) showcase or expose businesses that provide poor service, inferior products and/or unfair business practices that disadvantage and harm the consumer(s); 2) give citizens the power to decide whether to monitor, continue or cease doing business with a business; and 3) assist those businesses with either shaping up; closing up (due to loss of business) or being replaced, thus leaving or providing customers and clients (Citizens) with a better selection of remaining businesses in which to support - businesses that are socially responsible, meet the needs of its customers/clients and will rectify immediately situations that adversely affect the customer in a manner satisfactory to the customer/client.
Citizens can petition the government, but government can do only so much without tramping on and violating our rights of privacy. However and in addition, it will be up to you and I and each succeeding generation’s responsibility to ensure that society’s freedoms remain intact –be those freedoms moral, human, civil and/or spiritual ones. You, as a Citizen have power; do you exercise it?
From me to you,
Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author
“Slinging Stones… Blog” by Mrs. Dorothy Barron:
http://www.dorothybarron.com or http://mrsdbarron.typepad.com/slingingstones
Twitter: Follow Mrs. Barron at http://twitter.com/MrsDBarron
Parents Taking Charge in Education Blog: http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com
Twitter: Follow Mrs. Barron at http://twitter.com/PTCnED
Comments