interviewed by Amy Merrick
As a longtime activist and director of Louisville Climate Action
Network (CAN), Sarah Lynn Cunningham was spurred to join Together We Will - LSI after the 2016 presidential election. She is grateful to all the young, inspired and talented volunteers with Louisville CAN and TWW - LSI for giving her hope for the future. Sarah Lynn will be the featured speaker at the August meeting of TWW - LSI. The focus will be on environmental issues. what the current state of politics means for those issues, and what we can all do to keep making strides forward. Let's get to know more about Sarah Lynn in this month's TWW - Member Spotlight.
How are you feeling?
"As a lifelong activist, retired civil servant and student of history, I'm increasingly dismayed by each day's new lows. It would be bad enough if it were only 45, but it's also the Republican Party and the 1% that owns it."
How has your life/thoughts changed since November 8, 2016?
"The extreme polarization of our society and
politics especially worries me. On the other hand, I have a pad of
sticky notes that says, "I survived the Reagan administration," and I
expect to survive the Trump Tragedy, too. It helps that TWW’s new blood,
especially its many younger folks, gives me, a middle-aged activist,
hope."
How are you
managing stress?
"To keep my stress in check I hang out with my partner and friends, exercise my sense of humor and cultivate my gratitude. That gratitude extends to the many inspired and talented volunteers, helping to shoulder the work of running the Louisville Climate Action Network. I work out at a gym three mornings each week, plus live in a walkable neighborhood so I can build regular exercise into my day just by doing errands, going out to eat, etc."
What are your top
three concerns post election?
"Assuming 45 doesn't start a war with North Korea to
distract us from his Russian scandals, my three most important concerns are: 1)
the lack of critical thinking within our society, (i.e., the way so
many voters eagerly vote for candidates who seek to do them harm). 2)
the lack of campaign finance reforms. 3) the strategic way Republicans are both
gerrymandering and purging voter rolls to render so many political
races non-competitive."
What do you
feel is the importance of diversity in social movements?
"I think it's vitally
important that social movements reflect our full society. We'll be
our most successful only when everyone is welcomed, included and engaged.
I try to reach out, to bring others into the fold, especially via mentoring.
Still, I recognize that disenfranchised folks often are doing well to meet
their and their families' basic, day-to-day needs; they're less likely to have
the luxury of investing time and effort into making the world a better
place. So I accept folks for where they are. I criticize neither
the more privileged folks who make up most of most movements nor the
disadvantaged folks who can't yet play bigger roles."
What have you found
to be the most effective tool in effecting change so far?
"I strive to be a
force to be reckoned with by picking winnable battles, doing my homework so I
know what I'm talking about, and asserting my position professionally. I test
my arguments using critical thinking tools to be sure they're coherent,
defensible and something I'd not mind going viral. In short, I hold myself
to the same standards to which I hold my opponents. I encourage
everyone to please join me."
If you wish to make an impact concerning the environment, check
out the links to the groups below
Louisville Climate Action Network
Kentucky Conservation Committee
Kentucky Resources
Council
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