Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Once in college I accidentally found myself seated front row in a physics course I never signed up for. I did what anyone in that same spot would do and sat through ninety minutes of sweat, kinetic energy and confusion praying I would not be called on. Apparently, physics has its own language and I am not a native nor was I particularly interested.
I always felt that way about politics too. Also, the subject of politics tends to turn otherwise reasonable people into werewolves so I chose to vote quietly every four years and randomly complain about those in office the other three.
But then I began to speak with families about the skyrocketing rise of pornography addiction because of virtually unrestricted and unprecedented access on the internet. And then I saw the average age of first-time viewing of pornography dropping down every single year until it reached the single digits. I studied how pornography is fueling everything from human trafficking, child abuse, prostitution (and more) at global epidemic levels. In other words: I began to care very much. And it seemed no one was helping.
Because almost nothing was being done on state or national levels to give parents and guardians back the right to protect children from an aggressive, multi- billion dollar industry only interested in creating consumers and producers, I began to take a crash course in politics. Turns out? It’s been one of the most empowering experiences I’ve had as a United States citizen. I have emailed, called, sat in local offices across from officials and now have my own favorite parking spot at the Capitol.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
1.The only thing that qualifies you as an expert is for you to care about a matter that’s important to you. Fancy words? Legal precedence? Plan of action for the whole problem? None of these are necessary. Not even correct grammar matters when you’re conveying to the officials that you elected to uphold or initiate new solutions in making your whole sphere of influence a safe, upright and honorable space and legacy to hand over to the ones coming behind us.
2. Legislators are human people. Sitting outside the Capitol in Austin preparing for my scheduled meetings the first morning, I began to sweat. Part of this was normal 118 degrees in Texas at 8:00 a.m., but the other part was nerves. I can be wordy and confusing, my passion for protecting our kiddos from pornography could melt solid steel and I have accidentally cursed on television before. It was extremely important that I act normal here. When I texted my husband an S.O.S., he was good to remind me that every single one of our elected officials is a human person that has the same biological functioning as regular citizens. After I giggled at his corresponding emojis, I found that it did help dispel the intimidation I was feeling. Our legislators have to buy toilet paper as we do: they just generally dress sharper doing it.
3. As citizens, we have unprecedented and wide-open access to every elected official. Any quick search of Google will yield email addresses, phone numbers, and working addresses to each one of our legislators in every level of our personal jurisdictions. It seems weird or invasive that I have my elected official’s information saved in my iPhone or that I have texted snapshots of victories to my State Representative, but it also makes simple sense: they have to keep a pulse on the people that gave them their position like it’s their job. Not only do I use this information to tell my officials where they can keep my next vote, but I also use it to say thank you when I see them doing the right things. Ready to add your Governor to your Contact list? https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
4. Legislators want to hear from their own constituents. When I first began advocating for our children against pornography and got nowhere with my own officials, I began researching who in my state has made a stand or seemed to care about this issue. Even when I would find a legislator a county or two over, they would always refer me back to my own district. At first, I was frustrated by this because this was important and no one seemed to be listening. Now I get that our officials were hired by their own communities to take care of what matters to their people and they would like to keep doing this job. Re-election requires effectiveness and depends solely on the people within each jurisdiction. Now I am not offended anymore and *mostly* stay within my boundaries. (I do, however, regularly send thank you letters to legislators outside of my own district and even voting party when I see they are taking stands on things important to me because they are humans doing a good job and I just don’t follow rules well).
5. Legislators pay undivided attention only to what matters to their voters. I called my legislator (on his cell phone because) and explained to him the latest data on our global pornography crisis. I respect, admire and asked for his candor to which he replied, ‘Taxes.’ This is what the people are losing their minds over (my words, not his). He has to fix the problems the people care about like it’s his job (see above). If the people scream about taxes, it’s taxes. And if the people roar about protecting six-year-olds from the long-lasting and ravaging effects of pornography, it’s kids.
6. Legislators cannot change the things they do not hear about. James Taylor said, ‘I think it’s true what they say about the sticky wheel always getting the grease.’ This unswervingly holds for showering people you love with love and also politics.
7. Civilian rights and duties are not every two- and four- year events. It seems like the only time we ever know that people are proud, card-carrying voters are on Facebook every presidential election (pro tip: just stop). To pick up and wield our citizenship every couple of years is way walking underneath the power and understanding of our positions. Lending our voices to the political conversations in a constructive and responsible manner increases the pride and ownership of our respective areas of influence. Citizenship is not a voter registration card you get in the mail: it’s an honorable space we occupy and owe to our communities, mankind and future generations to participate in. Also? It’s kinda fun.
***
What’s happening in the Texas Legislative Sessions in 2019 in the fight for our children against pornography:
(and some action you can take from where you sit right now)
It’s important to note that many states have made a statement and stance against pornography, but Texas has remained silent so far.
*Representative Valoree Swanson from Houston will be sponsoring two anti-pornography bills in the coming weeks (the timing is crucial to email and rally her today as there is no guarantee they will make it to committee unless pressed):
1) Declaring Pornography a Public Health Crisis (which will bring attention, funds, and research to this civilization epidemic)
2) Safe Libraries for Public Schools (the digital libraries provided for education are purposefully not enacting readily available filters for pornography)
*I would encourage you (outside of party and district lines) to thank Representative Swanson for being one of the few leaders standing up for the least of these who need protection in this digital generation. Her email address is:
valoree.swanson@texas.gov
*Email your elected officials and let them know you think our children are and always will be the most important matters to us (if you need help with the wording—email me at melissablair09@gmail.com for an easy copy and paste letter).
*Follow my Facebook page Campaign for a Porn Free Childhood for periodic updates and information in the battle we are facing against pornography.
*Go to the ‘Take Action’ tab at National Decency Coalition to find out how you can act now on several different levels.
*Have the teen people in your life read this article so they know the power they hold as United States citizens and to know we are counting on them to show up the same way we have for them.
*Share this article as encouragement to the ones you know who strive for noble causes in this muddled world.
What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?
– Winston Churchill
