We might therefore characterize the citizens who make the most difference in this difficult time as people of imperfect character, acting on the basis of imperfect knowledge, for causes that may be imperfect as well and in circumstances they'd rarely have chosen. I think that's a profile any of us could match. If the change we need occurs, it's those who act for justice despite their doubts, limitations, and uncertainties who will ultimately bring it about.
Adapted from the wholly updated new
edition of "Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction
in Challenging Times" by Paul Rogat Loeb (St
Martin's Press, $16.99 paperback). With over 100,000 copies in
print, "Soul" has become a classic guide to involvement in social
change. Howard Zinn calls it "wonderful...rich with specific experience."
Alice Walker says, "The voices Loeb finds demonstrate that courage can be
another name for love." Bill McKibben calls it "a powerful
inspiration to citizens acting for environmental sanity."
Loeb also wrote "The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear," the History Channel and American Book Association's #3 political book of 2004.
For more information, to hear Loeb's live interviews and talks, or to receive Loeb's articles directly, see www.paulloeb.org. You can also join Paul's monthly email list and follow Paul on Facebook at Facebook.com/PaulLoebBooks
From "Soul of a Citizen" by Paul Rogat Loeb. Copyright 2010 by the author and reprinted by permission of St. Martin's Griffin. Permission granted to reprint or post so long as this copyright line is included.
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