We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Saturday, March 26, 2011

How Catastrophe Heralds a New Japan

by Kojin Karatani from CounterPunch
It's not Japan's demise that the earthquake produced, but rather the possibility of its rebirth.
The author foresees the necessity of a new awakening in Japan that looks for alternatives to life-destroying capitalism. Very hopeful outlook and inspiring. Will this change happen in time to save humanity? Stay tuned. Even better, get informed and be active.