How Community Members Can Make a Difference
By C. Naseer Ahmad
Washington, DC
During the US election cycle this year, some have used very offensive language which is sure to make many uncomfortable. When the loyalty and character of American citizens like us are being questioned, it is natural to ask “what can I do?”
Granted that many things are beyond our control, especially when some people abuse their First Amendment rights falsely claiming that their Second Amendment rights are in jeopardy but shamelessly try to deny all other rights enshrined in the Constitution to fellow citizens like us. But, neither fear nor anger should get in the way of positive thinking.
Personally, five things come to my mind to contribute in a positive way.
The first thing that came to my mind was to check my records and ensure that I am registered to vote.
The second thing on my list was to volunteer so I got in touch with some friends and offered to volunteer. By volunteering, I was able to check off three more things that I hoped to achieve.
My third objective was to reach out to at least five other people I knew and share my concerns. So I met a few friends to broach some ideas to see what is workable. To my delight, I found that they too were thinking about this and wanted to find a way to make a positive contribution. Each one of us resolved not only to do something good but also to encourage others so that our positive energy could have a multiplier effect.
As luck would have it, the day for volunteering to register voters in front of the local grocery store was also one of the hottest days in Washington. One could barely stand in the scorching sun above. As a lifelong asthmatic, I had difficulty breathing in the first five minutes. Before my resolve melted, I saw some other volunteers arrive two of whom used a cane for walking and needed a chair while they volunteered. All of a sudden my breathing problems became secondary to find a place for my new found friends to sit.
Through a simple volunteering effort, I was able to achieve my fourth objective – meet someone whom I did not know before and make common cause for the love of our country. In a space of a few hours, I learned to work together with some people whom I had never met in my life before. We positioned ourselves on different ends of the entrance to the grocery store. As shoppers came by or exited, we greeted them and simply inquired: “Good morning (or later good afternoon). Registered?” Intermittent breeze helped me and my new friends enjoy the bonding as did the sincere words of encouragement from the shoppers. There were some who did not want to talk, understandably so as they might have been in a hurry. A few were suspicious of our motives and might even have fallen prey to the ambient negativity. But many people were most gracious and appreciated the fact that we were there on a hot day doing our civic duty.
During the brief interludes, my eye caught the hangings – perhaps from July 4 th celebrations - on the lampposts. On my right above the flag was “Home of the Brave” and to the left was “Land of the Free.” This enabled me to accomplish my fifth objective which was to pray for my country while remembering my parents whose sacrifices brought me to the United States over forty years ago.
As I watched young parents walk with their kids, I went back to the time when my own parents gave up their own comforts for their kids’ sake. It also reminded me of the choices my wife and I have made so that our kids would have a bright future in America. One could feel the love these parents had in their hearts. And, in those precious moments, one of my father’s favorite poems came to mind.
For every insult, offer a prayer
For every hurt, offer relief
To arrogance, offer humility
These simple words reminded me that the real America I have come to know and love is not made up of cheap slogans but the sum of goodness in all the citizens who have made it great. This experience also affirmed that there is a lot that an average community member can do for the love of one’s country when faced with arrogance that both insults and hurts the beautiful nature of this blessed country.
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