Daily Yopp! 3.11.17 - The Personal Is Political

The phrase "the personal is political" came into popular usage in the 1970s with the women's movement. I took it to mean that one cannot separate politics from their personal impact and thus it is totally appropriate to take these matters personally. Politicians and businessmen like to distance themselves from the emotional and social impact of their actions. The reality is that an immigration policy which separates mothers and children at the border is personal to that family. If my parents lose Medicare, that is personal to us. If the waters we drink become polluted by an oil spill, that is very personal to all of us.

We cannot separate the personal from the political. Politicians need a reminder about that.

When I went with a delegation of Solidarity Sundays to meet with staff in Senator Dianne Feinstein's office, I brought with me about 200 handwritten letters from students at the middle school where I teach. My school happens to have significant numbers of Latino, African-American and Muslim students as well as many who are immigrants or children of immigrants. Many students live at or below the poverty level, significant numbers are homeless, and the vast majority of kids are struggling academically. In short, there is nary a student at my school who is not personally and profoundly at risk from legislation and executive orders resulting from our current crisis in DC.

The letters that these kids wrote were heartbreaking. Many wrote about how immigration policies would impact them. Others spoke about crime and incarceration. There was tremendous fear and pain in their letters, but there was also a sense of hope. They truly and sincerely hope that Senator Feinstein can do something to help them.

I'll let Solidarity Sundays pick it up from here:

We believe that #TheResistance requires a range of tactics and approaches: in-person meetings with MoCs; townhall protests; huge marches; phone calls and emails and faxes...all of it! With this action we’re asking folks to go a bit deeper, beyond a quick “I oppose XYZ” script, into personal stories. 

We’ve heard from staffers that personal stories can have big impacts. MoCs can use them on the Floor or in private negotiations to try to convince their colleagues, and to demonstrate the real impact of policies. This action focuses on connecting policies to real-world, personal impacts—we are looking at the attempts to repeal ACA, the Muslim Ban, ICE raids/deportation, anti-LGBTQ policies/sentiments as well as the potential proposed budget cuts. How do these policies/cuts affect YOU and/or the people you KNOW? Note: Background on the ACA repeal effort and the budget are at the end of this infoscript, after the #Actions. 

You can write as many letters/emails to your MoCs as you want. We encourage you to write on behalf of someone you know, if that’s easier/appealing/relevant. The loss of Medicaid may not impact you immediately, but perhaps it will leave your older family members without coverage. Or perhaps you work in healthcare, and know how it will affect your patients. You may not be in need of services from Planned Parenthood now, but maybe you have a daughter or niece who does, or maybe you have a PP story of your own to share. If you’re a white person with citizenship, ICE raids are likely not affecting you—but what have you seen in your community? Can you share stories of your students, friends, neighbors, or co-workers? 

Aim to be concise and clear, and as specific as possible. And don’t be afraid to get emotional. In fact, we encourage you to get emotional.

Today's Call to Action is to write letters about how you are personally affected by Trump administration actions and legislation coming from Congress. Send your letters to your members of Congress or to other MoCs if you feel that yours will just toss yours onto the rubbish pile.

Solidarity Sundays also asks that letters about proposed budget cuts go to:

Mick Mulvaney, Director
The Office of Management and Budget
725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503

Letters regarding the ACA/Healthcare should include Paul Ryan:

Rep. Paul Ryan
1233 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

Yours in Solidarity.