Because It's Not Alright

Start with good. End with good.

Although often attributed to John Lennon, Domingos Sabino said, "Everything will be alright in the end, and if it's not alright, it's not the end."

However, John Lennon often reminded us that we have the power, right, imagination, and ability to shift people, places, and things toward good and away from the precipice of disaster.

In the midst of the polarization, misinformation, and manipulation by the people we are supposed to look up to as leaders, we have to individually take back our power and do good in spite of the craziness all around us.

We've witnessed people helping people during devastating events—from wildfires and floods to mass shootings and global pandemics. These moments reveal our basic drive to be good and kind.

This innate goodness can change the atmosphere of political gamesmanship, algorithmic manipulation, and corporate greed that has become so normalized that many have grown numb to it.

If you can stand it, you have been in it too long.

If you can't stand it, it is time to do something about it.

We rush to save people from immediate disasters, yet many sit back and do nothing as powerful interests systematically undermine democratic institutions, environmental protections, and social safety nets in order to consolidate wealth and power.

They obscure their intentions with carefully crafted messaging, and some people actually believe them. I can't blame them for wanting to believe. Our challenges are complex and overwhelming.

People want to believe that someone has simple answers to difficult problems.

But these problems can't be solved using the same methods that created them.

Greed does not produce good, lies do not make truth, and hatred does not create unity.

As the situation worsens, many of us say, "What I do won't make a difference."

Maybe not on a global scale, it won't.

However, one person providing shelter to someone in need or standing up for a stranger facing discrimination is big enough.

One person speaking truth to power is big enough.

One person taking action towards good is big enough.

In our digital world, a single voice can sometimes reach millions. But even if your voice only reaches your family, your community, or your workplace, that ripple matters.

If each of us does just one thing, no matter how small, to speak out and take action against what is wrong, things will change.

We will reach a tipping point, and once that happens, the systems that perpetuate harm begin to crumble.

Speak up. Speak up. Speak up. Take action.

There are so many ways to do this. Pick one that works for you.

We can't become a society that is so overwhelmed by doom-scrolling and constant crisis that we grow numb to injustice and corruption, pretending it is not happening or that we are powerless to affect it.

Each of us does things differently. Find a way that works for you.

We are the majority. We are. Seriously.

We have got to stop thinking we are the minority and have no power. We have to overcome our fear, or at least live with it, and do something.

There are people exploiting cognitive biases and attention economies to confuse and exhaust us.

There are people using sophisticated technologies to spread falsehoods, trusting that we won't verify or challenge their claims.

But we can wake up—because it's not the end.

It won't be the end until good overrides evil.

We need to choose people to lead us based on their demonstrated commitment to the common good.

Not on their image. Not on their ability to manipulate algorithms or public opinion. But on their innate unyielding goodness and record of putting principle above power.

We have leaders whose primary allegiance is to special interests and their own ambition. That is enough to take action to hold them accountable, by whatever legal means are available.

We can't sit back and let profit-driven outrage and artificial division continue to dominate our digital spaces, news media, or our government.

We can't retreat into our private worlds and hope it will all go away.

It won't without you and me standing up against it, standing for good.

It's always possible to do something about what is not right. Throughout history, ordinary people have risen to meet extraordinary challenges. We can do it again. And now is the time. There is no time to wait.

Take care of yourself in the process.

• Do a digital detox when needed.

• Find community with others who share your values.

• Celebrate small victories. But don't give up.

• Be courageous. Speak up. Take action.

Start with good. End with good.

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