I Am a Community Organizer: I am A Mom

I’m not a political blogger. I’ve written two vaguely political posts this month, and they’re not my favorites. Ugh, I can’t seem to help myself right now.

I write about environmental issues. I try to put a cap on my sanctimommy tone, sometimes I fail. I know I’m touching other mothers and inspiring them to make changes. Three women have told me they’ve decided against using malathion on their children’s heads. Seems like a no brainer. It’s not for many. Clearly, I am a community organizer.

I blog and I give you a forum. Please comment, join the community.

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I am a community organizer on the soccer fields. My community is short, but soon they’ll grow and I’ll have whispered in their ears for  long enough to make a difference.

I am a Soccer Mom and your children are my community. During each practice with the girls I remind them that we are a team, and teams must be kind to one another. At the end of each practice I remind the parents that a snack is needed after the game on Saturday, and that real food doesn’t come in a package. I insist on sunscreen and water and whole foods for little bodies. I coach 30 kids each year. In ten years 300 children and their siblings will know that a banana is the perfect packaged food.

I am a community organizer. I’ve admitted defeat with my peers, but remain encouraged by their children.

I am a community organizer. In my children’s school single use water bottles have been banned. Water fountains with refrigeration have been installed and paper cups have been given the heave-ho. We have an elementary school that uses honest to goodness silverware, plates and cups.

Will my changes affect change in other locales? Certainly. Can we be dismissive of Obama’s experience as a community organizer? Sure. Should we be? No.

With every action, I whisper to my children and to yours. I catch their ears, “hey, look at all that packaging. We don’t need all that, do we?” And I dare not insult their intelligence lest my message get lost in indifference. So I whisper encouragement when they make wise choices, and I hop around on my soapbox begging you mothers to stop buying useless crap.

Look around the blogs today and check for Community Organizers. Spread the link love to a few organziers. Because what we’re doing matters.

Related posts:
New Jersey’s Wind Power Plan : EcoLocalizer
Beyond Obama: a Biofuel Stimulus for President : Gas 2.0
Five Green Things About the Green Festival : Ecopreneurist

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