Wendy Davis asked the graduating class of Staff the Movement this weekend, “What is your dream for the world you want to see?”

Now look, I’ve been asked this question many times in my life by teachers, advisors and bosses -- but normally I think about it for 30 seconds followed by the quick, beauty pageant answer popping into my head and then fleeing just as quickly. Admit it – how many of you thought, “World peace and love for mankind”? It was the first thing that came to me. But given more than 30 seconds and egged on by my classmates busily recording what I was convinced were deep thoughts; reinforced by the fact that for God’s sake, it was Wendy Davis asking, I forced myself to think past the mundane to actually ponder what I would say if we were having a conversation.  

And so here’s my dream. A return to Hope. Inclusion. Acceptance. Equanimity. A world where we don’t have to be afraid to send our kids to school; or to be sick; or to be different. A world free of fear, not because everyone is the same or because we’re stronger, badder, more powerful than everyone else; but because we realize when we embrace change instead of fearing it then we enrich ourselves and our communities and yes, our world.

I want to live in a world; in an America that isn’t upside down. A place where we fear the real dangers in the world – the destruction of our democracy; of our climate; of our society and our safety. I want to live in an America where Americans know that it isn’t okay to cage babies or refuse aid and comfort to those fleeing for their lives. Where women are treated as equals; where people care more about the existence of love than who is loved; where religious freedom doesn’t mean you get to oppress others.  I want to live in a world where people come first – above guns, above profit, above power. I want our democracy back.

And I want to remember this every single time I get disheartened or tired or scared. This is the reason I do this.  

So why do you do this? What is the dream for the world you want to see?

And then ask yourself Wendy’s second question. What are you contributing to that dream?           

With respect and admiration

Debby Roseman

President, Katy Area Democrats