As I have always said, those closest to the pain should be closest to the power.
Interpretation
Empower those who experience hardship to have a voice in decision-making.
Ayanna Pressley's quote emphasizes the importance of including individuals who directly experience pain and hardship in positions of power and influence. It underscores the belief that those who understand and endure struggles are best equipped to lead and advocate for meaningful change, as their insights can drive actions that truly address the needs of the affected communities.
In practice
In a discussion on social justice, one might say, 'As I have always said, those closest to the pain should be closest to the power.'
I'm not naive. All politics is about identity, right? Neighborhood politics, cultural politics, issue politics. It's not as though I don't get that. It's just - it has to be, I think, tempered in a way that is for our overall advancement and not to our detriment or obliteration. When I say 'our,' I don't mean just communities of color.
We should be uncomfortable with the growing gaps in our society, and we cannot allow ourselves to become desensitized to these injustices.
We desperately need comprehensive immigration reform in this nation, and yes, comprehensive immigration reform proposals are nuanced and complicated, but you know what shouldn't be? Our capacity to see each other's humanity.
You cannot have a government for and by the people if it is not represented by all of the people.
Raising me as a single parent, my mother held many jobs. Most of them had to do with the betterment and the advancement of our community and society at large. I grew up seeing her active in ministries at our church, with the homeless, as a social worker, with elderly, with youth, as a children's rights organizer with the Urban League of Chicago.
At the women's march, we held signs that said, 'Today we march, tomorrow we run.' They didn't believe us, but it's coming to pass.
We need to have people up there who can communicate what it feels like, not just pilots and engineers.
Women are often meeker in meetings and afraid to ask for raises and promotions. I've told countless female colleagues to stop apologizing when they ask for more. It's not personal, it's business.
One who is mild rather than forceful has greater capacity for outreach.
I believe we need leaders who actually want to lead everyone.
Most writing staffs have this crazy high turnover, and then everyone's really miserable, and I don't understand that. I don't know why you don't grow people to then be able to take over as you. That's how I can have more shows.
There are different ways to lead throughout a practice or a year. Whatever that moment needs is something I've always tried to be ready to do.
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