Everyone matters in a democracy.
Everyone.
We all have an important role to play, always. Lawyers especially, but everyone.
This week’s State of the Union is cause for a pause to reflect on the role we all play.
Always, and especially now.
Let’s do (more) good (better)—united—together.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport” —Marian Wright Edelman
What you can do. Right now.
It often feels like there isn’t much we can do when the world feels chaotic.
Confusion and overwhelm create a chilling effect. Too many issues create analysis paralysis.
That’s exactly when taking action matters most.
The antidote is taking the next step that matters to you.
In my podcast episode with Skye Perryman (she/her) of Democracy Forward —one of the most consequential organizations working to protect democracy for everyone—she offers two clear, specific calls to action.
First, for everyone—no matter who you are or what you do.
Watch that clip here:
Second, specifically for lawyers who may be struggling to understand what they can do if they’re not a constitutional, immigration, or civil rights lawyer, or a litigator.
I understand this struggle. The desire to do something but not knowing what your expertise has to do with “the moment.”
Here’s Skye’s answer (and it’s simpler than you think):
No matter who you are, where you are, or what you do, you matter. You have a role to play in this democracy.
And yes, the next right step can be as simple as tuning into a podcast episode to learn more. Sometimes the simplest next step is the best one.
Remember: momentum begets momentum. Often taking action reveals clarity for the path ahead. So start simple. But start.
If this resonates, start by giving this important episode a listen.
Take your next step from there.
Marc J. Lane - The OG of Social Enterprise Law
Marc isn’t arguing in front of the Supreme Court or organizing marches. But he’s still part of the work to strengthen our union.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe Marc cares deeply about democracy and civic engagement. But like many lawyers, his practice is where his impact lies.
He’s one of the early pioneers of Social Impact Law. He literally wrote the book on social enterprises (The Mission Driven Venture). It’s one of the two required texts for the law school class I teach at my alma mater, Chicago-Kent College of Law.
That’s actually me (in the picture above) sitting in the front row listening to Marc during his guest lecture in my class this week.
Marc is a smart and inspiring lawyer who works every day to help social enterprise deliver value across industries, sectors, and the world.
I’m grateful to Marc for sharing his insights with the next generation of social impact lawyers who will contribute to strengthening the state of the union.
You can see more about Marc’s guest lecture on my LikedIn post here.
Take this next right step.
If you haven’t yet listened to (or watched) Skye’s episode, give it a whirl. You can watch on YouTube via the link above, listen or watch on Spotify, or listen on Apple Podcasts. This “moment” is a persistent one. It’s not ending anytime soon. And so taking inspiration, motivation, and action after listening to Skye’s words of wisdom (and there are many) is a great next right step.
I’d love to hear what you think of this important episode!
Share this with someone you know who cares about democracy.
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/state-union-needs-you-scott-m-curran-cc1hc/