After watching the riveting Democratic National Convention (DNC) officializing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as president and vice-president nominees for the US Democratic party, I feel compelled to briefly share with you my story as an immigrant who pulled through a dictatorship, its relevance to us all here in the US today (and abroad), and offer key tips to help defend our democracy during this critical time in our American and planetary story!
Born in Brazil on the year a coup overturned the presidency of João Goulart (1964), I grew up terrified of government. We heard secret stories of college kids enduring torture or vanishing for committing the “crime” of speaking out against the regime. My parents urged me to stay close – and quiet!
But as a young woman, I dreamed of freedom, justice, and the right to vote, so in hiding from my parents, I mustered the courage to join the pro-democracy movement “Direct Elections, Now!” (“Diretas Já!”), and at a rally in Rio, cheered on a young “Lula” (Luis Ignácio da Silva) as he took the stage with passionate cries, demanding direct elections.
Three years later and despite extremists’ terrorist attacks, people power brought down the 21-year Brazilian dictatorship. We took to the polls with joy, pride, and exhilaration!
As fate would have it, Lula is the current elected president of Brazil – aiming to bring about a new level of social and ecological justice – including the protection and restoration of the Amazon rainforest and its Indigenous Nations!
I moved to the US in the late 80’s, inspired by the American values that matched my own – freedom, justice, and democracy and was elated when I got my citizenship so I could vote in America (though still outraged by the harmful US foreign policy with its history of backing dictators for “good business” – including the Brazilian coup d’état of my birthyear).
Today, my fear of tyranny grips me once again, but this time here in the US – as an unfit politician and his allies lay the groundwork for totalitarianism using the same playbook historically employed by oppressive regimes:
- erosion of the judiciary’s integrity
- alliances with the uber-wealthy
- fear-mongering propaganda
- voter suppression
- insurrection violence
- divide-and-conquer tactics
My early experiences taught me that democracy is fragile. It only takes one aspiring autocrat backed by allies to reverse decades, even centuries of freedom.
We cannot let this happen here in the US!
I also learned that when people get fired up together, not only can we stop tyrants, we can also take our country to a whole new level of unity, compassion, social evolution, and planetary transformation – restoring our wounded habitats and ecosystems.
Watching the impassioned speeches at the DNC – including those from Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Oprah, and Kamala Harris – not only gave me an exhilarating sense of vision and hope, it also reminded me that when we engage in the political process – in whatever small or big way – a sense of pride and joy fills our spirit as we help craft an empowered, compassionate, and restored future.
Regardless of your belief system or party affiliation, I invite you to join me in this unified, hopeful, life-affirming vision for the US – and the world – by choosing opportunities to “do something” in whatever way resonates and inspires you.
Only 10 weeks left to take action!
You might consider dipping into meditative silence, free-form writing, and connecting with your sangha (community) to explore ways to be of service that excite you and bring you joy. If you’re like me, you might want to set times in your calendar for political involvement and a strategy for donations (in whatever amount you can afford) – for these last 10 weeks leading to the US elections.
If you’re in the United States, find below opportunities to help elect democracy-leaning and life-affirming public servants. If you’re outside the US, may this note inspire you to defend democracy in your country of citizenship. After all, we’re all in this together inhabiting the same fragile blue marble orbiting the sun.
In these 10 weeks, let us:
- volunteer
- make calls
- donate
- energize friends
- share videos
- do something
Wishing you Nature. Love. And freedom!
Ways to Engage
Kamala Harris | Tim Walz
If you haven’t yet watched their DNC speeches, you can watch Kamala’s here and Tim’s here.
“On January 20, 2025, if we all do our part, she will once again make history — and she will make sure the doors of opportunity are wide open for all to follow.”
I urge you to join me in:
Taking action
Donating
Sharing with friends
as if our democracy depended on it. It does!
Jane Fonda | Climate PAC
The Jane Fonda Climate PAC helps elect leaders who will rise to the urgency of this moment and stand up to the fossil fuel industry. Jane Fonda Climate PAC will leverage the donations of those who are climate-concerned to counter the outsized influence the fossil fuel industry has on our government. We make sure politicians who support oil and gas are as afraid for their jobs as we are about the impending climate disaster.
Environmental Voters Project
Environmental Voters Project (EVP) identifies inactive environmentalists and transform them into consistent voters to build the power of the environmental movement.
Join EVP’s team of nearly 6,000 dedicated volunteers from across the country, all focused on getting environmentalists to vote year-round in local, state, and federal elections.
Spark the Vote!
STUDENTS, FILMMAKERS, MUSICIANS, INFLUENCERS, ARTISTS, ACTIVISTS, DANCERS, ETC.
Whether you’re an amateur or seasoned professional our country needs you to unleash your creative power!
You have the power to inspire voter turnout!
Simply create, post and submit a SHORT video about WHY YOU VOTE.
Whether you are passionate about climate, equality, voting or democracy – this Challenge is for YOU!
The SPARK THE VOTE Social Media and Film Challenge selfie videos or films are due by September 15th – Democracy Day – and just before National Voter Registration Day to have the most impact.
$50,000 in cash prizes for best videos.
Learn more about #SparkChallenge here.
The Challenge is sponsored by Money Out Voters In – a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan organization.
