This week I discovered Big Tent. I didn’t invent it; I just discovered it. In case you didn’t invent it or have yet to discover it, Big Tent USA is an on-line site that offers a community which educates and empowers citizens to take action on these issues: (1) preserving democracy; (2) defending women’s rights; (3) protecting our children; and (4) a focus on states.
I discovered Big Tent USA this week when I joined a recent zoom call of an interview by Katie Couric with Anne Applebaum (who brilliantly writes for The Atlantic magazine). The interview and Anne Applebaum were so impressive that I immediately checked out two of Anne’s books at the library: Twilight of Democracy: the Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism (2020) and Gulag (a very lengthy exploration of the history of the Soviet concentration camps system which I became interested in after watching the Hulu Series We Were the Lucky Ones). Gulag won the Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction in 2004. She also has a new book—Autocracy, Inc.— due out in July.
Maybe this all sounds way too heavy and you are wondering why I could not just share a favorite recipe or a story about my grandmother this week. I think I am impressed with Big Tent because it offers a series of free events via Zoom or podcast. You can check those out in and register to join in. They last about an hour and they won’t cost you a penny. The next one coming up is on Wednesday, May 1st at 7 pm with Liz Cheney being interviewed by Charlie Sykes.
Big Tent USA is also involved with a variety of actions, including coordinating letter writing, poll working, in-person events, advocacy training and more. It is a site definitely worth checking out —https://www.bigtentusa.org —as none of us can afford to be lackadaisical about democracy at the moment. Big Tent USA also has an excellent blog (you can link to it on their website) where you can check out their past posts on their websites.
So why do I like Big Tent so much? I like it because I know I am not the smartest person in the room. I know that I need to pay more attention to what is happening in the world beyond my only little comfortable bubble of a world. I know I need to learn more, hear from more wise and diverse and experienced people, and I also know I need motivation to be more active. Because each of us matters and each of us can make a difference. I believe this and I hope you do, too.
Some of us have easy lives. We have a place to live, food to eat. We have family and friends. We don’t shudder in fear when we hear an airplane fly overhead. We are blessed with a good education. We love and can still enjoy books and libraries and conversations with others who care about the world. We have the privilege of enjoying beautiful music and art. Our children and grandchildren attend good schools. Many of us (though not all of us) are fortunate that we live in states that care about human rights, most notably right now the rights of women and children and voting rights. It is hard to believe that we cannot take any of this for granted. We have taken so much for granted for such a long time. Maybe we should have been paying more attention.
It is going to take all of us working together to preserve our democracy. I never imagined I would be writing such words. But I feel it is necessary. The Big Tent USA offers excellent information and ways we can make a difference.
So many times I have asked myself, “But what can I do? How can I help?” Big Tent offers a multitude of ways. Practical ways. Easy actions. Something as simple as writing a letter or signing up to work at the polls.
None of us has to do everything but I think all of us are called to do something.
Gonna check this out, because I am at a loss on how I can help.
Thank you! thank you! I will sign up. This is so very helpful for me as I feel too much of the news is too "I am right and you are wrong. " We need to receive educated and helpful news about what is really happening beyond our own prejudices and limitations and which party we belong to, etc. etc.. It is so easy to overreact and just stop listening. Seems this website, Big Tent, is above the fray.....or rather approaches the "fray" with facts and well thought out opinions. Look forward to climbing onboard.