This commentary is by Karen Sturtevant, a Williston resident who’s a full-time customer care representative for FoodScience LLC. She has written three children’s books, the most recent being “K9 Duke The Comfort Dog,” co-authored with Williston Police Officer Matthew Cohen.
The world is on fire. The red-hot embers have been continually stoked to elicit a raging flame growing hotter and taller each day. Innocent people forced to bow to powerful leaders intoxicated on authority and ego.
Listen to a news report, pick up a periodical, read about confusion, conflict and atrocities happening right now — in Vermont, in Ukraine, and all pinpoints on earth’s stage. Clicking to another channel or streaming a different podcast is an easy way to push those bad news stories down, forget about them, if only for a while.
Our brains are overwhelmed with the darkness in the world. Our mental clarity is being challenged to not enter a fight-or-flight mode.
For me, the weight of the world looms heavy. Climate change, people prosecuted for simply voicing their beliefs, child marriage (even in Vermont), human rights abuses, torture, natural disasters, arms control debates, migrants seeking asylum, discrimination, freedom of expression — the scroll is endless.
Having control over the actions of others is an exercise in futility. You and I cannot control what another person will do. You may know the Serenity Prayer; in part, it reads:
God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Courage happens when one pushes through fear and uncertainty. Choosing this path is not easy. Walking away is. What if, through your actions, you truly made a positive impact on an otherwise dire situation, a forgotten child, a separated family? How would you feel if, by your work and attention, a mother of three survived, an innocent person was released from prison, schools and places of worship were safe zones devoid of guns?
Imagine a world where everyone is guaranteed basic human rights. Seem impossible, improbable? This sought-after dream doesn’t have to be fiction.
I became involved with the local group of Amnesty International — AI — because I believe my actions can help create a better world. I am not of the mindset that my work — whether a signature on a petition, staffing a table at an event, holding up a sign in front of the state building or writing a post such as this — will cure society of its woes. My belief is that by multiples of like-minded friends coming together to work toward a common goal, the outcome, even if minimal, will be of benefit.
We feel hopeless. We don’t have to. When helping hands and minds hold each other up, mountains can be moved. Amnesty International believes this, too. AI has has 10 million peaceful foot soldiers taking a stance to campaign for a world where human rights and international law are afforded to all.
The stories are powerful; successes, tear-wrenching. We can’t save the world from people like the power-driven Russian President Putin, who feign action in the ruse of a peaceful outcome. What we can do is band together to better our global home. Whether by signing a petition, phoning a representative, writing a card or speaking out, actions matter to move one step closer to the desired outcome.
I’d encourage you to check out amnesty.org. The Vermont group meets once a month, currently via Zoom. You will take action from the comfort of your own home — what’s more convenient than that? Mary Ellen is the facilitator and fellow food shelf volunteer. She welcomes your questions and would be thrilled to speak or email with you regarding the current campaigns and what AI is all about.
I truly believe action speaks. People care. We are all one on this planet. Let’s come together to make it a more benevolent world for all of us. Contact Mary Ellen at mejat3@gmail.com to start your journey to join us in bettering our global home.
