| When is a Progressive?
June 2006
First a progressive is one who recognizes his or her power as a participant and respondent on many and meta levels. For example, a progressive focuses not only his or her positions in regard to a larger interconnected group BUT as an individual - whose thoughts and actions are a part of designing the world(s) he, she or "we" desire.
Progressives have a long history and herstory of working for social changes that benefit all peoples, be the issue healthcare for all, the freedom to marry, generating alternative sustainable energy sources and using them, a fair days pay for a fair days work, a media that descriptions of the facts speak truth to power, or, the consequences of economic globalization (free trade vs. fair trade) on the planet.
In summary, a contemporary progressive not only desires, designs and generates social change that benefits all people BUT is aware of his or her power as a respondent. Then there is performing.
Hence, from my perspective (today) a progressive:
Sees equality, justice and thus inclusion as fundamental to all that we think and do, which requires reflecting - constantly.
Is sensitive to language and how it generates perceptions. For example a progressive might speak about the " freedom to marry" rather than "gay marriage".
Embraces differences, and the conflicts they provoke, as opportunities for a non-violent dialogue and thus actions.
And finally, a progressive desires and designs non-hierarchical social systems (networks) rather than bottom-up or top-down social structures, whenever possible, on as many levels as possible.
I would be delighted to converse about any of the above. All the best!
Sincerely, peace is a need,
judy lombardi
links
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The above was a response to:
Hi - - On June 8, 2006 three students: Traci Leach, Jackie Parto, and Albert Rory, met with faculty members, Kathy Brown and myself to discuss the formation of a Progressive Club at Villa Julie. We agreed that we should apply to become an officially recognized student club at VJC. We agreed as well that we should follow a four step process of Understanding issues (including addressing the question What do we mean by progressive? Writing a description of the goals of the club, encouraging open Discussion by individuals from all political perspectives, and Acting to further progressive causes at VJC and in the larger community....
-- Alex O. Boulton
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Read: Peace Activists at Hillary Clinton's Speech Try to Take Back Take Back America by Medea Benjamin
Progressive Democrats of America
A systemic analysis about being a Leftist today, by Cornell West
Question:
How do people who define themselves as progressives deal with dissent - including within the group?
Michael Moore: a Liberal view, November 2006
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