How You Can Be a Part of a Solution by Becoming an Idealistic Realist

In order to be an effective idealist, you must be a realist. Think about that. An idealist is merely a dreamer lost in the clouds when not grounded by realism. Just the same, a realist is merely a cynic enslaved to harsh circumstances without idealism to guide her through.

There is no efficacy of one without the other. As activists, we must be both realistic and brimming full of ideals.

It is the realization that life on this planet is on the brink of collapse that brought me here to write to you today. Because inaction would be to condone. There are so many people out there who are just waiting to find a cause, or a leader, or a movement to take part in. They have strong beliefs about how this country can be improved. They long to believe in the future so that they can happily say to their children that things are getting better all the time.

Big change requires little steps. Take the topic of aerial spraying of herbicides in Oregon, for example. For over a decade, residents in rural areas protested the use of sprays near their homes, schools, and water sources. They were largely ignored. But people kept at it, kept insisting, kept sounding alarms, and more people started listening. Tests were done that scientifically demonstrated what the people knew all along: there were significant amounts of cancer-causing chemicals in their water. The same ones being sprayed in the forests. The studies were published. And although many more listened, the spraying practices went on.

Today, the momentum of the movement is in full swing. Multiple nonprofit and community organizations are initiating tangible methods of changing the laws surrounding aerial spraying. One of the coalitions includes us, Beyond Toxics, with Rose Mountain Herbs and Oregon Wild. We now have three proposed ballot initiatives on the table that would limit the power of logging companies to spray their chemicals from helicopters as well as reform the logging practices of clear-cutting and steep slope harvesting. Just this past week, too, the website Oregon Forest Voices was launched, where you can literally see the people and the land that have been victimized by business as usual.

People in communities throughout Oregon united in different ways to make this injustice known and to make it stop. Where we are now, we could not have arrived if it weren’t for the help of every person who lent a hand or a voice.

And so, I would like to invite you to take part in the struggle. Busy your hands with the work of justice for all, including the rich and the poor, human and animal, air and water.

Written by Nicole Medema

FOR LOCAL OREGONIANS, read below

In the end of April, Beyond Toxics will be hosting a Volunteer Orientation event that can be your first, small step towards making change. It takes place at the McNail Riley House on April 28th, from 5pm-7pm. There, folks can meet part of the Beyond Toxics team, learn about our various projects, and find ways to plug in. And, you know, eat pizza. Because that is how we roll.

So be realistic about the ideals you hold. How can they get accomplished? Unite and take action. See you there!