My Political Hesitations

I really need to challenge myself to engage in critical thinking during this Spring course on US Government at Austin Community College. I think that a combination of stressful work environments and dissipating  youthful ambitions have led me to tune-out when it comes to political interest. Self-preservation, perhaps?

In my college years, I was an activist for animal rights and veganism. I did have an impact at Ball State University, where I founded an organization and successfully petitioned to remove veal from the cafeteria menu as well as gaining a vegetarian option at every meal served. My passions moved on through the years to human rights, namely the rights of women and ending the global violence committed against women. This passion grew through my career as an advocate for survivors of family violence; however, seeing the brutal realities of this victimization and the re-victimization often inflicted by the civil and criminal justice systems over seven years of working with survivors can leave you shell-shocked. The secondary trauma I experienced led me to a delicate state of needing to bury my head in the sand. Any source of conflict became a trigger for that overwhelming sensation that the world is a bad place and very little can change. I tuned out the news, lessened political engagement, and made my own happy bubble filled with like-minded friends and comfortable surroundings.

I'm easing back in, listening to National Public Radio on my drive home from work. I even send political action emails from time to time! I must admit I prefer my political news delivered with humor; I'm not above taking my news (with a grain of salt) from Saturday Night Live!

This semester I will work on letting my ire burn instead of avoiding the stressful feelings that political questionings can stir up.

http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/inside/index.html#/real-time-with-bill-maher/inside/extras/guest-stars/bookshelf.html

http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/bltoday.htm