WHY GREEN PARTY?
Growing from the concrete...
I remember the day I became a Green.
I spoke to Jill Stein at a Berkeley rally and asked her for advice to run for office as an independent. Patiently, she told me "You can't do it by yourself...come to my San Francisco rally and I'll introduce you to people."
It was one of the scariest days of my life. I had never been to San Francisco by myself at night. The city landscape terrified me. What if my phone dies? What if I get lost? But I summoned up the courage to go, bike in hand. I got to the event and Jill remembered me by name and gave me a hug. She publically debated me over the military in a non-capitalist future. Everyone was communicative and a diverse range of opinions presided. It was as if I was in Les Miserables and was a part of the revolution.
Later, I visited Houston, TX in 2016 for the Green Party Primary Election. Again, I met more people, this time from around the world (considering Greens are in most countries) and I realized... this was it. This is what I was looking for.
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Ever since I found those people, the ones who were just like me fighting the same fight, I was convinced to become Green. And that's why I organize with the party today.
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As much as I love elections and working with the Green Party, people misunderstand that the reason why people don't vote isn't because they're unaware of politics--Its because they have nothing to vote for. And if anything, they only vote against initiatives and people.
When people find someone to vote for, the system targets the candidate and performs media blackouts, and prevents public forums and debates from occurring.
The USA and its local elections do not promote inspiring leaders with new and creative ideas. They promote technocrats...as if a resume was a dialogue--but this is the nature of power.
But I know true power is in the streets. The Green Party's 10 Key Values are the key for ours and future generations chance to reform a capitalist world into one in which all people, including non-human animals can live a life with dignity and be happy, safe, and free.
TEN KEY VALUES
GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY
I will provide an avenue in which every member has a say in the decisions that affect our party. I will work to increase public participation at every level of governance with accountability.
SOCIAL JUSTICE & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
We should have the right to benefit from resources given by society and the environment. I will consciously confront in myself, our organization, and society at large, barriers that deny justice.
ECOLOGICAL WISDOM
We are part of nature, not separate. I support sustainability including local ownership of development policies, holistic practices, and living in ways that respect the integrity of natural systems.
NON-VIOLENCE
We must divest from violent businesses and practices in favor of those respecting the dignity of all sentient life. A society in which lasting personal, community and global peace is possible.
DECENTRALIZATION
I support a restructuring of social, political and economic institutions in favor of those committed to representing the people they serve. Decisions should remain at the individual and local levels.
COMMUNITY BASED ECONOMICS
I support employee ownership and workplace democracy. We must promote the use of technologies that are humane, freeing, ecological, and responsive to the community, especially the most marginalized.
FEMINISM AND GENDER EQUITY
I support the replacement of the cis-patriarchy with more cooperative forms of interaction that respect individual autonomy and gender variation. Our processes are equally as important as our goals.
RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
The cultural, racial, sexual, and spiritual diversity of our community must be protected. I support the leadership of people who have been traditionally barred from leadership roles.
PERSONAL & GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
I am not perfect. I choose to be held accountable by the Green Party. I support people and organizations around the Bay Area dedicated to fostering peace, economic justice, and health for our planet.
FUTURE FOCUS & SUSTAINABILITY
I fight for my children’s children. We must protect natural resources, and establish open knowledge. I will work towards preservation efforts so future generations may inherit a sustainable world.