A very important thing I hit upon in my life was this thought that I came across while writing: “to get to a point where one loses so much ground that simply being yourself is considered a revolution.”
When it comes to political elections, the emphasis on opinion that I’ve seen in local publications and social circles is completely irrelevant. Save opinion for public hearings and letters to representatives. …
I’ve worked in Boston politics and have seen candidates who were considered by the news as unlikely winners (i.e., Maura Hennigan and Felix Arroyo) come out in slots two and three out of four for City Council. There was heavy emphasis on getting that missing percentage to the voting booth, as well as strong voter registration drives. People weren’t coaxed into voting for either candidate. Simply put: People were fed up with the misrepresentation, or I should say, lack of representation, at City Hall. With information and involvement, and not just opinions, the people voted back Boston. The city could no longer ignore its disenfranchised communities and community leaders.
It is a rare gift when a straight-shooting candidate like Lindsey Simerly comes along. She’s been considered too left, too radical and too young. Going beyond opinion, her campaign was funded not by money (having spent less than $250; other campaign donations were put to good use in organizations such as Food Not Bombs etc.) but funded by people and passion—the passion to do the right thing by going into the belly of the beast in City Hall, beginning action even in the process of campaigning.
But first, we must consider principle through action. … Lindsey’s campaign reused salvaged materials to make her yard signs—not out of rebellion or to be unique, [but] simply because it was sensible and environmentally respectful. This is simply who Lindsey is at heart.
Just because some of us have lost the ability to stand up for ourselves, disenfranchised by our local government’s direction and destination, doesn’t mean we should stand in the way of someone who wants to do something about everything. … [Simerly invited] trust in her for all the gradual, real changes in her tenure that would leave the city better off than when she started.
Political representation is not a one-dimensional course; it has depth and more dimensions. When we’ve allowed ourselves to get to a point where representing ourselves is considered a revolution, then we’ve allowed things to go too far.
And perhaps when that time comes when [we]—each and every one of us—have all represented ourselves and approached politics in its true scope, perhaps we won’t blow off another candidate who can honestly make a difference.
— Christopher Tiongson
Asheville
Here here to Lindsey!
May she never give up – and may she continue to be a voice in the community.
Lindsey is going to be a leader in this community for decades to come.
How about getting her onto the Homelessness Task Force, ASAP?