Personalizing the Political

In 1969, Carol Hanisch's essay "The Personal Is Political" drove home the point that that which we experience in our day-to-day lives is - whether we are aware of it or not - inextricably connected to the political and social institutions that surround us; that is, we are not only individuals, but living, breathing symbols of our own society.

The idea that the personal is political, that what our experience in the public school system, on our commute to work, in the violence that we see every night on the news, and especially those things which we have - for one reason or another - become blind to or have allowed to become normalized, seems an extremely simple conclusion, intuitive even.  The troubles of the homeless, a pervasive culture of misogyny, the issue of race in socioeconomic inequality - are only a few of many examples of problems that we see and often breeze past every day (unless it affects us directly and forcefully).

Moreover, even when we do become cognizant of this, that our political system in its vast complexity affects us on a greater level than we are generally aware, the question then becomes "Well, what can I do about it?", leading many to become first angry, then discouraged, then politically apathetic.  As a result many, including myself at times, feel helpless and in reaction turn a blind eye to what's right in front of them, a sort of bystander effect.

But if we are to affect change in our societies, then this cannot continue.  We must allow ourselves to feel the pain of being molded by something greater than ourselves, and to feel the passion that comes with the desire for something better.

Only then can we begin to reach out to others that feel the same, and to experience next the joy of inspired companionship.  Only then can we, together seek the knowledge and obtain the skills necessary to become informed, politically active peoples of a democracy that sees its downfall in our apathy, and in our fear of our own power.

"The Eclectic Pen" will serve as my first contribution to this cause.  I want to not only inform but to inspire, to show others that politics is not far away; it is always right on their doorstep.  I hope to uplift others, to show them that we can change our societies for the better, and that no matter how lonely it may seem, that there are always others in whom one may find a kindred spirit.