Civic Engagement and Glass Slippers

Last night, I zoom-attended what was billed as a discussion by the noted historian, Heather Cox Richardson, one that was supposed to focus on "Project 2025" and to explain its complexities. While Professor Richardson's explanations were interesting, she didn't end up being the focus of the session at all. Instead, the founder of the hosting organization, Red Wine and Blue, pivoted the session to a sort of pep rally/ how to organize locally to get the word out and to gather support against this really draconian proposal. Over 35K viewers were in the zoom room, and many more watched on the Facebook feed as well. I left just before it ended, as I had no interest in break out rooms by state, etc. I'm not really a "joiner" and I need time to process what I am learning about.

The parts I was interested in are the ones where HCR kept apologizing for being "nerdy"-- I wanted a fair and reasoned discussion, one that would help me understand the legalese in the document. And those parts were great. What I was not banking on was the hyper-perky, super-energized host, or the push to organize like one huge PTA meeting. Now, I'm not at all denigrating the efforts of those who are ready to rally. I appreciate their fervor. But before I get wound up about stuff, I like to know what I'm getting wound up about. I think I understand what the document is hoping to accomplish, and it's pretty darn scary. 

The vision for us all, as postulated by a rather large group of corporate entities and white nationalists, is frightening. The only image I can think of that works for me is one I would borrow from the original Cinderella story, where the stepsisters are hell-bent on fitting into the glass slipper that is too fragile and too small for them. Except, instead of cutting off toes and heels and bleeding all over the place by choice, we'll be forced to mutilate ourselves (metaphorically) to fit into a glass slipper not of our own choosing at all. We will, or many of us, anyhow, be forcibly trimmed to a size that does not work for us, to fit into a model of living that is not meant for us. 

The document is over 900 pages, and it's very explicit. The things proposed come down to one basic tenet: they believe that some people are, by virtue of race and gender and wealth, better than others, and the democratic model of government does not work (for them, anyhow) because it mandates that every person has an equal voice. 

HCR drew comparisons between the social order of the American South for the time between 1874 and the 1950s and the vision put forth in the document; the system was built to enforce that not everyone should have access to a vote, because others (wealthy, white, and male) "know best" about how to run things. Robber Barons and Amoral Industrialists, backed by a dictator who has full control over both the Justice Department and the Military, will tell the rest of us how to live. She explained that the Heritage Foundation used to be just a conservative think-tank, but it changed a few years ago, when they built a strong tie to the political and social policies of Victor Orban in Hungary. That kind of autocratic regime is unhealthy for most people-- it denies the voices of anyone except a very small demographic, those of white, male, neo-christian (and yes, I purposely did not capitalize that), cis-het people. In other words, critical thinking is not allowed. Traditional liberal education is not allowed. Women, ethnic minorities, those who are not gender-conforming, and those who are struggling with mental illness or learning disabilities are all discounted. 

You know that passage that starts with "first, they came for the..." Yeah, that's what's up in Hungary. And that's what is in the plan ahead. This crew would out-Hitler and out-Stalin those dead autocrats. Orban is a frequent visitor at Mar-a-lago, and that, in itself, should give us pause. 

There are really bad things in that document. While I was disappointed in the format of the discussion last night, I fully understand that the power of the people of the United States to determine their own path is being undermined and disregarded by a statistically small number of others. Voter disaffection and the misinformation flood that is happening could clear the way for a form of autocratic rule that will, ultimately, serve very few well, and will change the course of the nation perhaps irreparably.

What I take from all of this is the one thing we all need to do: become legitimately informed and aware. Not sound bites, not memes, not the echo chambers of our own groups that we agree with-- we need to read, consider, discuss-- and then, choose our path before it is chosen for us. 

A lot to ask, but it's necessary.

C