Since March 27, I’ve been experiencing a feeling much like mourning or being depressed (“Charter passes,” March 30).
I had enjoyed living in old Amherst, with its close-to-ideal democracy, where “only the H (was) silent.” Now I live in new Amherst, a city-known-as-a-town, where the only options for civic participation will be to vote for those politicians who have the best fundraising and marketing campaigns and to join advisory committees.
Despite the significant money and energy that both sides spent on the charter proposal, only 29 percent of voters came out, despite good weather. What is most depressing from my perspective is that despite our big educations and big words, our presumed sophistication and activism, I’ve talked to too many residents who were vulnerable to the same kinds of tactics used to sway less-educated voters in “red” states and elsewhere.
Progressives are faced with a choice: give up or get active. Vigilant oversight, lobbying, courage, willingness to run for office and, above all, fundraising will be required. Progressive young adults especially will be needed to shift their attention from broad issues to local applications of the issues. Will people take personal responsibility on the local level?
As an active supporter of Town Meeting, I want to personally thank every resident who read the original or plain-English translation of the triumphant city charter. I thank every resident who thinks independently, considers the issues and is not readily swayed by propaganda, alternative facts and scapegoating. Please know that you are not alone.
Also, I want to express respect for residents who envision an urbanized Amherst and voted for the charter. I am concerned about what it will take to keep the new government in check, but carry on we must.
Please think about running for the new city council and encouraging others who care about social justice and the environment to do so as well. The city-known-as-a-town of Amherst will need you more than it has ever needed you before.
Kitty Axelson-Berry
Amherst
