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I write from beautiful Portland, Oregon, where I have been a
non-violent, pro-peaceonline (social media) general political
activist and civil servant for well over 20 years.I do it, because
I CAN. I happily resident in a one-bedroom condo, courtesy of
theSection 8 program, among some of our town's most wealthiest,
many benefit frombusiness tax credits, subsidies, and the like
(more on the this later) I am a survivor,And I feel your pain,
friend.Yes, I recall when life was sweeter, prior to 911, the now
then year war waging in themiddle east, hurricane Katrinal Rita,
the great recession of 2008, along with personalgrief and loss of
so many loved ones. I refuse to resign myself to force to do
morewith less and this distinction is going to be very important,
in the years to come. Ithink those who work hard every day, to keep
society running need to focus on theirjobs and not on the money.My
"job" is to detect inequalities in the system, and then report my
findings to thevarious individuals, elected officials,
organizations, government agencies, activistnetworks, assorted news
media, and all other interested parties. I then getmysteriously
fired for whistle blowing and then after I've exposed the truth,
Imiraculously win my unemployment claim. This is not an easy life
to lead, but, yes, Isleep very well at night, after a long day of
work.I have written thousands of letters, on a wide range of
important issues that impact allof us (environment justice,
housing, poverty, transportation, education, immigration,clean
water/food, civil rights, healthcare, etc and I am pleased to
report, that my voiceis starting to be heard in the arenas of
education, healthcare, and fair taxation. I haveexperienced
setbacks, and numerous small victories, I believe in the idea of
synergythe possibilities of what can happen, when diverse circles
of influences, meet together,to create a "apex" of true change
shifting, etc.....My response to those who would dare to push me
aside, is this: to where do you pre-suppose I move to? There is
nowhere else I can go, therefore, I shall remain. I shallnot be
moved, so better get used to my being here, until I pretty much
die. You see,we in the activist community, have our own tricks of
the trade, but prefer to use theword toolkit. We have a rich
history of community organizing, mobilizing, andeducating
informing. We also employ a wide range of strategies, in our
evolving andorganic toolkit- for change. We deploy hope, to those
who have none. It matters!The next time someone appears to be
harming you, ask them this question: how muchwere you paid and by
whom? If I were to double your pay, and turn it around,
againstthose parties, who would intend to do this to me and my
family, certain injuries, oroffenses, and then see the look on
their faces, when you do this. I no longer harbor the
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burden of fear of retaliation, with so much happening; we no
longer have the luxury oftime, to even dwell on these concerns.At
this point of the game, I am more concerned about whether or not my
activism,will be of benefit to the millions in this country, and
around this planet, who may nowlack access to the basics: clean
food and water, safe and affordable housing, equitablehealthcare,
decent family wage jobs with benefits, a well rounded education
thatactually teaches real skills for living, a world class public
transportation system, et al,all of the things, that make for a
truly sustainable living world community. This all themotivation I
need, to wake up every day, and serve.I do not wish to become a
dead martyr, as I am more effective, if I can continue tospeak out
for a long time, about the injustices that I see around me. I can
be killed, butnot the ideas, whatsoever. As the people continue to
wake up, from the consumer -induced comas, I would like to think,
that I am one of many, who helped to make thisa reality. My
activism is informed, in part, by: listening to folks, such as
yourself, tonsof reading and research, detection, writing, and
speaking out, whenever possible.Learning to recognize the language
of fear and resignation is only something that Ihave recently begun
to realize, so I continue to accelerate my growth in other
ways.
It is a scary world in which we live, but also filled with
unrecognized richopportunitiesGratefully,Martha PerezGeneral
Political Activist/Civil Servant
