Protests and Community

Last night Jessie Jackson was leading a protest movement about Ferguson, Missouri in Portland, Oregon. According to the news reports he ended with telling the protesters to “go out and save the world.” Ten of the protesters were arrested before the night was over according to reports.

It was appalling to watch the series of tragedies in Ferguson over the past four months. There were deaths, local businesses looted and burned, and the flames of hatred were fanned. Just as disturbing were the many instances around the nation where people displayed their hate towards law enforcement, those of a different shade of skin, and even of our American system of justice and government.

I’ve seen and thought about these protests for years, as I remember the protests against the Vietnam war. While I’ve never participated in a protest I question what the goal for a protester truly is. How many protesters have left the streets and parks cleaner? Why do so many protests end with participants arrested? How many protests have you seen that accomplished something, other than media coverage?

History is full of individuals who made a difference by their actions. From Lady Godiva (a real person) who supposedly rode naked through the streets of Coventry to remove a tax or toll to the many individuals who hid Jews and others from the Nazis. People who risk their reputation, their wealth, or their life are true heroes and should be emulated.

History is also replete with those who chose like Ghandi or Martin Luther King to exercise civil disobedience in a peaceful manner. They challenged laws that denied basic human rights to some and they insisted that those who followed them remain peaceful. They and those that chose that path often have changed the world in a better fashion.

Violence and hatred have often changed the events of the world, but seldom in a positive way. Riots, looting, and harming others may be the results of protests that degenerate into mobs, but the results never benefit the local community.

From my perspective, Mr. Jackson goes from disaster to tragedy always seeking to find a public forum to publicize that which divides us. The average protest of today often appears to start with the arrival of outsiders who fan the flames of anger, intolerance, and even hate. 

Instead of the example of these protesters, I would rather follow the example of the Grange to “go out and save the world.” If you are of good character you’re eligible for membership. Differences of opinion are encouraged as they are opportunities to learn and grow through debate and education. We find ways to work together rather than let our differences separate us. We work through the present system to change it for the better.

To all who seek to truly make the world a little better, I invite you to explore the many American groups, including the Grange, which seeks to help people. There is a place for protests; it is just that protests are not the best answer normally.

William Saunders Award for Rural Awareness

Yesterday I had the privilege of presenting RAM, a division of Chrysler, with the first William Saunders Award for Rural Awareness. The award was given to recognize the positive impact that their Super Bowl commercial had for rural America.

Their use of Paul Harvey’s famous “God made a Farmer” audio, coupled with their visual montage of rural America and the people who live there, was powerful and tugged at the heart. The ad showed the hard work, dedication, and lifestyle of those who provide the food, fiber, and fuel for America and the world.

The people who conceived and created this commercial did an outstanding job of raising rural awareness. The fact that they sell trucks doesn’t diminish what they’ve created in any way. 

In fact, this is how America is supposed to work. RAM is simply a group of people who own a company whose management (men and women) hires more people to develop, make, and sell trucks to people who need those trucks for their farms, businesses, and personal use. They understand who they serve and provide what their customers need and want.

I find myself reflecting on the fact that the Grange, philosophically, shares that same attitude without the commercial element. We allow people to join together in common cause without giving up their individuality. We are an organization that serves our members and our communities.

America is people and those people create businesses like RAM and organizations like the Grange. When we are all putting our efforts together, our communities flourish and people prosper as a whole. The Grange will continue to recognize people, organizations, and companies who recognize our American Values and who never forget their Hometown Roots.

Congratulations to RAM for being the recipient of the William Saunders Award for Rural Awareness!

Community and The Grange

In my Internal Report one of the sections was about the community and the importance of our organization to the community.

"The community is truly the base upon which our great nation was founded and is fundamental in why we have achieved so much. The founders of our Order knew that to improve the lot of the American farmer and their family, the community must remain the keystone of our Order. National and State efforts would only be successful when the local communities saw the strength in unity.

"There are only a handful of organizations with more local units than the Grange and there are fewer still that give the local unit as much authority as our Order gives the Community Grange. Since early in our history we have opened wide the doors of Grange membership to the entire family. For over a century we have welcomed those who were not farmers and today welcome all of good character. The importance of starting new Granges to benefit communities cannot be understated. It is my belief that we are on the brink of expanding into several new states and our goal must continue to be that we have a State Grange in every State in our great nation.

"Looking back at the history of our Order, we should feel proud that we’ve also had a profound influence throughout the world. Meeting in September with the participants and children of participants of the Germany/USA Friendship program demonstrated to me the power that the simple exchange of opening our arms and hearts to others can have. The Germany/USA program existed for about six years and yet 60 years later the participants still gather to share memories and update each other about their lives. For those participants one year of exchange became a lifetime of friendship and family.

"Looking around the world at the problems of fear, poverty, and even survival facing so many nations, it is time that our members once again consider opening their doors and hearts to share our hopes and optimism with others. I would suggest that when opportunities to share the unique dynamics of our organization and our members are presented, we take the challenge and show others around the world that Americans want to help them find lasting solutions."

The Grange has served American communities for the past 143 years and we will continue to serve and benefit them far into the future. If you want to know more about how a Grange can help your community, go to www.NationalGrange.org and learn how easy it is to start a Grange in your community.