Identify Your Personal Stake

    • The current state of our nation presents significant concerns. The wealthiest one-tenth of 1 percent holds a comparable amount of wealth to the bottom 90 percent. Numerous individuals are anxious about potential loss of access to healthcare and retirement benefits. Our students are burdened by substantial student loan debt, and undocumented workers and their families live in fear of deportation. Furthermore, the structure of our campaign finance system enables millionaires and billionaires to influence election outcomes, resulting in elected officials who prioritize their interests over those of the general population.

 

    • As constituents, we bear the responsibility of remaining actively involved in the decisions made by our elected representatives. It is imperative that we hold them accountable for prioritizing policies that promote the common good, including the facilitation of employment opportunities, the provision of accessible healthcare, the delivery of high-quality education, the assurance of a secure retirement, and the enforcement of corporate responsibility.

 

    • Individuals who have made the decision to actively participate in effecting change within their communities do so with a profound personal motivation. This includes yourself. Having intimately experienced the status quo, you have concluded that it is inadequate. Your profound connection to pertinent issues has led you to the readiness to engage in proactive measures.

 

    • Change presents inherent challenges. At times, it may induce feelings of frustration and even insurmountability. To achieve success, it is imperative to internalize the significance of the endeavor to us personally and to those we hold dear. This comprehension of personal stake is fundamental. Each individual’s values, beliefs, and perspectives have been shaped by unique life experiences. Moreover, one’s distinct role within the community and individual identity contribute to the formulation of goals in the pursuit of change.

 

    • It is imperative to have a strong sense of personal investment, providing a foundation to return to when faced with challenging tasks. Utilize the following prompts to reflect on the essence of your identity and individuality.

 

    • What made me: The factors that have contributed to shaping your identity include significant life experiences, race and ethnicity, educational background, gender and sexuality, professional roles, economic circumstances, familial and social connections, immigration status, as well as the communities and neighborhoods in which I have lived.

 

    • Who I am: In your campaign, job/career, political beliefs/identities, gender identity, economic status, religious affiliation, friends and family, community, and neighborhood.