Navigating Privilege and Political Action: What Can We Do?

Living in Compassion: The Political Action We Must Take

Privilege is real, and ignoring it will not correct the wrongs being done.  Right now, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. The political climate is more polarized than ever, and each day seems to bring new challenges that feel insurmountable. From civil rights to the economy, it feels like we’re living on the edge of a cliff. Honestly, I often wonder—what can one person truly do in the face of all this?

For those of us who are spiritually inclined, it can be even harder to reconcile what’s happening around us with our inner peace. How do we stand in compassion and empathy when the world around us seems so full of hatred and injustice?

In times like this, it’s easy to retreat. It’s easier to shut our eyes and hearts, to tell ourselves that nothing will change, and that our efforts are too small to matter. But that’s not the truth. We are each called to make a difference, and while the road ahead may seem impossible, the work starts with us.

Compassion: The Core of Political Action

I firmly believe that compassion, when rooted in an awareness of inequality, drives political action. It’s not enough to simply feel empathy for others—true compassion compels us to act. The world needs us to stand up, to raise our voices, and to fight for justice.

I believe that if I don’t stand up for those who are being threatened, who will stand up for me?

I am a white woman with privilege, and I carry that privilege because of the women who fought for my rights—like Susan B. Anthony and countless others who came before me. I am watching as those very rights are being threatened, and not just for me, but for others in marginalized communities as well.

Living in Rochester, NY, where the legacy of Frederick Douglass runs deep, I see the effects of systemic inequalities—redlining, social divides, and a society where so many people are still fighting for the very basic rights and dignity they deserve. We’ve come so far, but the fight is far from over.

Political Action: Standing Up for the Vulnerable

The truth is, political action matters now more than ever. But it’s not just about making your voice heard in the polls—it’s about standing up for the vulnerable every single day.

There are millions of people whose lives are being impacted by the policies and decisions made by those in power. People who are facing economic hardships, facing discrimination, facing violence. The ones who feel like their voices don’t matter. But we cannot allow their struggles to go unnoticed. We cannot sit back and ignore the cries for justice.

I know it’s hard. I know it feels like there is so much to do, and you are just one person. But don’t underestimate the power of your actions. Your voice, your compassion, your ability to show up for others—it all matters. And we cannot afford to stay silent.

The Privilege We Must Acknowledge

As we fight for change, it’s crucial that we acknowledge the privilege we carry—especially those of us with privilege that comes from being in historically protected groups.

We are privileged because of the sacrifices made by those who fought for equality and justice. I live in Rochester, NY, where the legacy of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony is felt strongly, yet the reality of the work left to do is right in front of us. I see it in the systemic inequities, in the lives of those around me who are still struggling to be heard.

But we cannot allow that privilege to be an excuse for inaction. We must stand with those who do not have the same protections, and we must demand that the systems that have been built on oppression be dismantled.

A Call to Stand Together

At the heart of all this, there is a call for action. Compassion isn’t just an emotion—it’s a force. It pushes us to stand up for those who can’t, to demand equality, and to create a world where kindness is not a rarity, but the norm. The world might be dark, but we can be the light for those who need it.

As we stand together, we must remember that hope is not something that happens in an instant. It’s built in moments of action, in the persistence of compassion, and in the collective work of many voices. Our actions may feel small, but they are part of something bigger. And that something bigger is a world that is fairer, kinder, and more just for all.

So I ask you—what small action can you take today? How will you stand up for those who need it most? The time for silence is over. The time for action is now. Let’s come together to create the change we so desperately need.