The Communal Fire

The whole universe is symbolically seated about a communal fire called life — a fire that we all share in the darkness of our isolation, that courses through all veins, that maintains the life of even stones and plants and all that we seldom think of as living. It is a fire that burns in all times and places. ~ Caitlin Matthews

  There is an undeniable undercurrent propelling  the collective unconscious of late . One that speaks to us of growth and expansion ; of a much LARGER movement than has previously been defined as PUMA .

 The justified rage of a society mislead has escaped the confines of our close knit quarters and seeped out , infecting millions of unsuspecting ‘victims’ , and while PUMA still surfs the swell , the tide below us is ever widening . This advent begs questions – lots of questions .

 ” The enemy of my enemy is NOT my friend. ” ” They don’t share my personal ideals . ” ” They DO share my personal ideals , but those people are stupid .” ” Their individual cause is not alligned with mine .”

 These “statements” are actually questions with periods at the end . They are all begging the same answers . ” Who are our allys ?”  ” How can we “frame’ a movement with such a broad and diverse constituency ?”  ” What is the real  ‘breadth’ of the movement? ” and ” Do my personal “issues’ supercede the “goals” of the collective ?”

Lightpond blogger  pointed out (in comments) various ‘goals’ that ‘transend’ the majority of the narrowly defined issues that isolate us as a community . (OT – man I really hope that hyper link thing y works ! If it does , feel free to pause and stand in awe at my brand new skills – if not , meh – screw it )

 As social activists who have a long history of struggle and dedication to our various causes , we have a tendency to cultivate a very narrow view the world around us . Our ‘questions’ become self limiting and protectionist . Some of us need to begin asking ‘bigger ‘ questions .

 Consider this from pacebene.org  “The experience of social movements is consistent with Arnold Toynbee’s dictum that the real struggle in the world is between vested interests and social justice. An elite minority holds enormous political, economic, and social power and influence, which they use to benefit a minority of elites at the expense of society’s majority.”

 If you agree that NOW is the time for a successful movement to take root and effect definitive change in our Nation (and the world for that matter) , then you have to be willing to ask yourself the LARGER question , ” Who has been affronted by this injustice , and who will benefit from our good labors ? “

 This is the premise behind the concept of the Communal Fire . Not everyone who builds or tends or fuels the fire will be of the same ideologies , but the input of each member of the village is crucial to the survival of the whole . Holding hands and singing Kum Bay Yah around the flames is not required – nor is it necessary for the village to be successful .

 When “framing” your vision of the future of the PUMA movement , and mentally assessing your allys , be cognizant of your ‘goals’ rather than your ‘issues’ .  A true Social Movement serves to benefit the maligned masses and ,inadvertently, raises the consciousness of an entire Nation …

 I am certain to take some ‘heat’ (cracking myself up ) for this dialogue , but I would remind you that , ready or not , a movement IS happening . Whomever takes up the reigns will dictate the platform .

 Personally , I would like to see PUMA leadership at the helm (because , face it , “issues” – while they’re not the key to a successful movement – are damn important to most of us )

What are your ultimate goals ? Can your goals transend your issues ? Who are your natural allies ? Who are your allies by default ?  What  is your current level of outreach ? What is your plan for acheiving your goals ? When will you set it in motion ?

 Building a Communal Fire – ” It takes a village” ……..