Reconnecting during the pandemic
The first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic were a blurred frenzy, as each of us tried to keep pace with evolving circumstances while ensuring that the safety of our loved ones was secured. Government leaders moved on impossible timelines to deliver solutions and adapted in real time to fill in gaps where needed.
I have been spending much of my time grappling with the concept of long-term wellness when leading a life of activism in this time of physical distancing. How do we tackle the challenges before our communities while pacing ourselves for the long road to inclusive recovery that is ahead? How do we take breaks and pass the baton when leadership needs to be transitioned for a fresh perspective or approach?
In times such as these, it is much more important for us to meet one another where we are (figuratively, of course.) Connecting in earnest with an understanding of who has capacity, and who is stretched far beyond their limits.
It is difficult to know who among us is grieving, buried in work, financially strained, overextended with family responsibilities, or has no additional bandwidth to support an ask. 2020 has proven that capacity can change by the day or the hour. We must leave space to allow individuals to set their own boundaries and ensure mental health is centred in the way we work.
A friend once described life to me as “a race where we are tied to the people around us.” Some of our friends and colleagues run alongside us, others pull us forward, and still others are pulled onward by us. It is an interconnected web of support that carries us all through challenging times.
Social media might help us share ideas and connect with like-minded individuals, but where do we act? Where are the spaces we can congregate to advocate change when it is needed?
As we see campaigning and events move online, I realize what I am missing most is serendipity, those chance meetings that allow us to cross-pollinate ideas and forge a path forward together. The synchronicity found after running into an old friend that results in you joining forces to work together toward a common goal.
As Don Iveson, the mayor of Edmonton, considers shutting down public transit in his city for the summer, a lot can be learned from the local activism that was sparked in Windsor as public transit services shut down and were later reopened with reduced service. We will fight some of the same battles over again in different regions across the country, and sharing resources will be paramount.
Many COVID-19 response organizations found their beginnings in private chat groups of a few people who cared and wanted to make a difference.
Much of politics is about the support gathered for initiatives that take place outside of formal meetings. Those hallway connections are where many agreements are made and misunderstandings are smoothed over.
In the words of Henry Winkler, “Assumptions are the termites of relationships.”
We must do our best to avoid making assumptions by asking the questions that bring understanding.
This impacts how politicians connect with constituents, how advocacy groups communicate pressing issues to political representatives, and how marginalized voices are amplified through Canada’s oversaturated media markets.
What we will need are more organizations and events that help multiple communities intersect. This is why it is crucial to have stable funding for think tanks and investment in innovation toward inclusive design for the spaces where we convene as we shelter in place.
In the coming weeks, months and years, inequities caused by COVID-19 will only grow, which is why the sharing of advocacy resources is paramount.
There are many institutions trying to bridge these gaps. Local business associations are hosting webinars, national convening platforms, libraries, educational communities, and clubs are adjusting their models to deliver content and connection using digital platforms.
This week, bring some serendipity back to your advocacy. Go through your contact list and make a completely random call or email. See where it takes you.
This load is heavier for some than others. Raise your hand, reach out, and carry a little extra weight for one another.