End of the world postposed for End of America

Great forum happened tonight. Better then 50 people came to a panel discussion of Naomi Wolfe's book "The End of America" about a fascist shift happening in American power structures. The group talked with zeal, and way overtime. They had good questions, and were well read on the subject of administration and corporate malfeasance. They came looking for confirmation of their worst fears.

And the fear was there again. Ricocheting back and forth during the Q&A session. If there were people there who weren't nervous, they weren't the ones talking.

I'm not saying there's not reason for concern. I think it's clear that things are going very wrong in a lot of ways. What I'd like to know is what to do right now to prepare for major change in such a way that most of us survive it as a connected and thriving community. And that human societies be prepared well enough that that happens all across the world -- not just in my home town... Well as much as possible anyhow. That sounds like a tall order.

Here's the thing: I don't think a lot of the men are up for the fixing of it. Yes, lots of women complained tonight, but the flavor of the complaint was different. A bunch of the men were glorying in the misery of it. That's the only way I can think to describe it. Glorying in the righteous indignation of it. It was not a day to explore options for change. Not the space to point out all the exciting work being done for peace, justice and sustainability. Not the place to seek reasons for hope. A very intelligent and well-read man told me the final solution to the problem was to hunker down and wait for the end, hoping to be among those nobody in power notices. Where the hell does that come from?

This doesn't mean this wasn't a great forum. The exciting part is hearing all that variety of thought, and getting the sense of where people are around the issue. You're only going to get that when the issue cuts close to the bone. Obviously this one does.

I guess nobody wants to live in a fascist state. That's a big relief. The question in my mind is still how people go from great anxiety about an issue that gets them in the gut like this, to action that has some real positive impact on their society. There are lots of 'real' things that need to be done. They aren't always big flashy things. They're 'little' things - done in the background - at the park with the children -- among the nonprofits - with the middle managers - over the watercooler - getting past the race-class-culture thing. Seeking out things that break down walls and grow relationships that transcend politics and economic troubles. That won't seem important in some quarters, but it's those networks of relationship that sustain people during tough times. They broaden the range of options, and increase security for everybody.

This relationship thing sounds more and more like women's work. Some of us know how to do this stuff. Not to leave the men out, but not to leave it undone because they don't do it well. Somehow we need to prepare for this soon. Where's the best place to begin?