How We Counter the Anti

Ann DeGroot wasn’t wrong [see 2003 story above]. Then the OutFront Minnesota leader, she looked around and saw a Minnesota political climate she described as overwhelmingly anti: anti-woman, anti-gay, anti–people of color, anti-poverty. She said that to correct the anti-ness, we needed to shift the tone.

I think we have shifted since then, to some degree. I believe Minnesota is trying.

As a state, we are a leader in LGBTQ+ protections, reproductive rights, and progressive policies that many others are actively dismantling. We’ve fought for inclusivity in ways that are indeed ahead of the curve. But — and this is a big but — like the rest of the country, we are a deeply divided state, and the forces pushing back against progress are just as loud, determined, and organized.

So, the question isn’t whether we can build a more inclusive, equitable society; Minnesota has already proven that progress is possible. The questions to ask ourselves now are: Can we hold onto it? Can we expand it?

The answer is yes, if every one of us participates.

 

 

We cannot wait for the next election cycle, legislative session, or wave of activists to do the work for us. If we have learned anything from the last decade, it’s that progress is not permanent. The same systems that make change possible can just as quickly be used to undo those very changes.

We are in a critical era that requires us to take permanent and active collective responsibility for pushing against the pushback. A more consistent and inclusive society depends on all of us being consistent and inclusive in our actions — every day, every month, every administration.

We need relentless, intentional action if we want to keep moving forward as a state and as a country. Right now, I see three obstacles to individual action: fear, disengagement, and permission.

Fear keeps us from stepping up, speaking out, or living authentically. It fuels polarization and makes us defensive instead of curious. And it’s used — by politicians, the media, and extremists — to divide us.

Fight the fear by supporting candidates and conversations that focus on solutions and issues. To fight your fear, examine where it’s coming from and then take action despite it.

One of the biggest threats to progress isn’t opposition. It is exhaustion and the accompanying disengagement. We can burn out. But if we want to keep moving forward, we can’t let opportunities to fight the good fight pass us by. To stay engaged, identify sustainable actions of micro-activism, or find a path that’s right for your energy and attention. Don’t pull away. Ignoring what is happening won’t make it go away.

I observe so many people waiting for permission to go out and do something. We’ve been conditioned to think that activism belongs to “activists” and that leadership belongs to “leaders.” But there is no gatekeeper to social progress. You don’t need credentials or a special invitation to do the work. Take up space and show up where it matters, like school board meetings, city council hearings, and community discussions.

History is made in our backyards.

Minnesota is a beacon in many ways, but beacons only shine when we the people are the lightkeepers. In this messy, frightening, frustrating, pivotal moment, we don’t get to say, “Someone else will take care of this.” We are the “someone else.”

Our future belongs to the people willing to show up and do the work. It’s time to get our hands dirty. Let’s go.

---

Nancy Lyons is author of Work Like a Boss: A Kick-in-the-Pants Guide to Finding (and Using) your Power at Work. She is CEO and cofounder of Clockwork and Tempo, and challenges people to say the Big Loud Truth. She was named Most Admired CEO by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.