In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the barrage of news and headlines that can leave us feeling powerless. As I browse through social media while listening to the latest updates, I often find myself battling a mix of frustration and sadness over the current state of affairs. It can be disheartening to try to stay informed while grappling with the urge to retreat under a pile of blankets to escape the harsh realities around us.
But what can we do in the face of such adversity? We can raise our voices. We can unite. We can resist.
Yet, engaging in resistance can feel daunting, especially when it seems like our efforts might not make a difference—like when legislation passes that disregards the needs of many Americans. At times, it’s easy to question whether our voices are truly heard or if they are just lost in the noise. This is where community and collective action come into play.
On a frigid January day, a family led by Fatima Javed entered the Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist (CCUU) in the suburbs of Chicago, seeking to amplify their voices alongside others who shared their concerns. I first met Fatima during an Open Mosque event, and since then, our families have formed a bond. She and her children were eager to participate in an activity designed to encourage civic engagement through writing postcards to legislators.
“This was about more than just politics for me,” Fatima shared. “I wanted my children to understand that their voices matter in this country. They can express their opinions and know that there are allies who may look different but share the same values.”
During the event, individuals from various faith backgrounds converged to write to their elected officials on issues like education, healthcare, and immigration. Fatima penned letters detailing her worries about public services, while her daughters—8-year-old Amina and 6-year-old Leila—harnessed their creativity to express their concerns as well. Amina wrote, “I’m worried about what might happen to us, can you please help?”, while Leila shared her hopes for the safety of children in war-torn regions.
Fatima reflected on how different her children’s reality is compared to her own childhood. “When I was their age, I wrote letters to ask for things like more recess,” she remarked. “But their worries are so much heavier, and I often wonder what they’re feeling.”
There are moments when it seems like our outreach is falling on deaf ears. The letters might seem destined for a forgotten pile, drowned out by louder, more powerful voices. Yet, the act of writing and speaking out is crucial—not only for the sake of being heard but also to reinforce the idea that we have the power to effect change, and to show our children that they can make a difference too.
To our surprise, these heartfelt postcards caught the attention of Illinois Senator Mark Reynolds, who not only read them in his office but shared them during a recent gathering with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee in Chicago. Fatima and her daughters were thrilled to learn that their voices had reached the Senator, who quoted Amina and Leila during his speech. “This may very well be a historic moment,” Fatima said, smiling at her daughters. “I’m pretty sure this is the first time a U.S. senator has acknowledged two little girls named Amina and Leila.”
Fatima later shared on social media, “Writing to your local legislators DOES make a difference. This is proof that you’re never too small to have your voice heard.” The response from the community was profound, as many began to realize that their letters and calls do get noticed. “This event reminded us that our voices matter, and people are indeed listening,” she emphasized.
In conclusion, Fatima’s experience highlights the importance of community engagement and the impact of collective voices in shaping our political landscape. It serves as a reminder that we all have the power to be heard, and our contributions can inspire others to do the same. For more information on the importance of civic engagement and to learn about home insemination options, check out this insightful resource from Progyny.
Summary
This article tells the story of a family who attended a community event to write postcards to legislators, emphasizing the importance of raising voices in the face of political challenges. Their postcards were read by Illinois Senator Mark Reynolds, showcasing that individual voices can indeed make a difference.