Summer 2007, Volume 11 Number 3
Table of Contents
LIFE AS ORIGAMI … By
Lois Barber
I
have
a theory that life is like Origami—without the directions. A decision
here, a fold there, another fold back on itself, openings, closings,
tucking in edges, moving forward yet not quite knowing the final shape you
are aiming for. It is not until the figure is pretty well completed that
you can see what you have created. Then it all makes sense as you look
back and recognize the twists, turns, decisions and guidance along the
way—the hidden directions—that have brought you to be who you are,
where you are.
I recently looked back at the folds, decision
points, and influences in my life that have created the Origami of me.
My parents encouraged my questioning and
explorative nature. I would ride my bike to Newark Airport to watch the
planes and hear the names of faraway cities over the loudspeakers. These
early experiences made me feel connected to the wider world.
Being co-captain of the cheerleaders at Irvington
High School was my training ground for becoming a social and political
organizer. Cheerleading was a remarkably similar process to organizing a
citizen lobbying campaign. For both, I had to learn the rules of the game,
know the players, pay close attention to every move, craft the right
messages, and motivate people to collectively send those messages to the
right players at critical times. And despite the setbacks and losses, be
ready and optimistic about the next game. After graduating from Indiana
University, I had the good fortune to spend eight amazing years living in
the wilderness in northern British Columbia, Canada. Every day it was an
awe-inspiring event just to wake up, and the beauty of the place got in my
bones. It was here that I literally fell in love with the natural world.
It was this passion for place and love for my children that led me to
spend my time and energy organizing others to protect our planet.
While we lived in the woods, the government of BC
decided to build a railroad through our valley to haul coal. I was only 25
but I created the Nass Valley Communities Association and set about to
stop the railroad. Within a year the government changed its plans.
Later, we lived in Vancouver where I taught art and
organized Teachers for Peace Action to bring teachers together to work for
peace.
Shortly after we moved to Amherst, Massachusetts in
1983, the Air Force announced it was planning to build a 300-foot
communication tower in our town. We soon learned this was part of the
Ground Wave Emergency Network (GWEN) system to enable the US to “fight
and prevail in a protracted nuclear war.” I spent the next three years
organizing local and national opposition to GWEN. Responding to citizen
leadership, Congress cut $80 million for GWEN from the defense budget and
the system was never built.
During that campaign I experienced the power of
well-informed, engaged citizens. This led me to create 20/20 Vision, a
service for busy people who agree to spend 20 minutes a month sending a
message to a policymaker facing a critical peace or environment decision.
20/20 now reaches over 30,000 people every month and has a long list of
successes. Last year it celebrated its 20th anniversary. I’ve
been told that it was one of the inspirations for MoveOn.
In 1992 I co-founded EarthAction, a global network
of over 2,500 organizations in more than 165 countries. EarthAction has
carried out 83 global campaigns mobilizing millions of people to take
action on the world’s most critical issues. Among other successes it has
helped to save several rainforests, prevent a civil war, and establish the
International Criminal Court. Recently, I have helped to create the World
Future Council based in Germany, a global council of ethical leadership
that will be a voice for future generations. Plans are underway to create
a similar Council here in North America.
A love of the natural world, a passion for justice,
curiosity, creativity, and a strong desire to bring people together for
the common good have helped create the Origami of my life—and I still
have a few folds to make.
Lois
Barber is Executive Director of EarthAction. She may be reached at lois@earthaction.org.
This article originally appeared in Kosmos Journal vol 6 #2, 2007
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