In these times of intense political polarization, civic despair is rampant. How does this affect our democracy and how can we counteract this apathy? Daley-Harris has been working tirelessly to provide trainings for ordinary citizens to empower effective political action and to help citizens be most effective in reshaping the issues they most care about. He gives the example, “A recent poll found that 96% of Americans want money out of politics but 91% said it isn’t possible. That’s the politics of resignation. But the politics of resignation gives us a way forward. If we can find a way to thaw the resignation, we can find a way to winning.” Daley-Harris describes the political process that goes beyond holding on to one’s position and talking at one another. His kind of activism goes beyond attacking one another and even beyond “mouse-clicking” and petition signing activism. He tells us to find an organization and group with whom we can associate and then together learn effective methods. It starts with respect. It may be a tougher mountain to climb if your congressional member is on the other side of the issue than you. You still have to do your research and find something that you can thank them for and start building, little by little, a relationship with them. He gives many practical examples of effective activism which will lift you from despair into empowerment.
