LOVE AND ADVOCACY

What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anaemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice.

Martin Luther King Jr., Where Do We Go From Here? (1967)

My love for the planet, and for every being on it, is not a sentimental feeling; it’s love that won’t be quieted. It makes demands of me. It requires me to speak up and be an advocate for nature.

When we advocate, it’s because we feel an urge we can’t ignore – to make things right, or at least make things better than they are. We aren’t all good at public speaking, or leading rallies. Not everyone wants to run for office. But we have all been advocates at some time in our lives: We have been moved by love to stand up to someone in power. Maybe you stood up to a bully, to protect a friend. Maybe you argued for your child with a teacher who didn’t understand.

Quakers are called to bear witness on matters of integrity, justice and peace; we call it “speaking truth to power”, and we’ve been doing it for four centuries. In fact, the phrase can be traced back to the African-American civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, in the 1950s. 

Real progress on any earth care issue that is dear to your heart will come from organized environmental advocacy, and mass education efforts. And we need to do our advocacy from a place of love and kindness, because love endures and overcomes. As William Penn said, “Let us see what love can do.”

Earthcare advocacy is anything you do that supports, defends, pleads, and argues for nature. You can advocate in so many creative ways – which one are you moved to try?

• Educate the community: Write a blog. Use craftivism to share information. Hold an event, or a forum on Earthcare issues.
• Educate Legislators: Write letters. Start a petition.
• Educate the Public about the Legislative Process: Introduce your community to the legislators whose represent them. Arrange a face to face visit and discuss the issues.
• Organize a rally: Mobilize for Earthcare. Paint a sign. Raise awareness.
• Organize a movement: Mobilize your community to act for the Earth.
• Lead a Training: Hold a grassroots organizing session that teaches successful strategies and skills for peaceful direct action.
• Litigation: Win in court for the Earth.
• Lobbying: Advocate for or against specific legislation.

We must be able to separate the trivia of today from the enduring realities of the long tomorrow. Having recognized and defined our values, we must defend them without fear and without apology.

Rachel Carson