Why 100 For Democracy?
I believe in the power of democracy.
It is only through genuine engagement with the society they build and participate in that people can solve problems that touch each of us on personal levels, but also expand to universal questions, desires, and truths of the world we live in.
I also believe democracy has never been fully achieved in the United States,
especially not at its founding, which hinged on the commodification and dehumanizing of black people, natives, women, and natural resources. In the nation's 250 year history, the federal protection of participation in the democratic experiment has been extended to women for only 100 years, and 60 for black people.
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Democracy → demokratia → δημοκρατια = δημος + κρατος
The word and rationale of democracy come from Ancient Greece. Athens is often credited as the birthplace of democracy. Democracy is a compound word made of the Greek δημος –the common people–, and κρατος –power–:
Power of the People; Power by the People; Power for the People.
Democracy in Ancient Athens, like in the USA, has been romanticized and given a pass for its many abuses. Voting power, participation in government in Athens was restricted solely to adult male citizens. At most, 20% of the city state’s population was allowed into this Power of the People. Women, children, and slaves were at the complete mercy of the Athenian citizens, who waxed poetic about their advanced political thought, while denying the majority of the humans around them political agency.
What does “100” mean?
I set out on a cross country bike trip at the end of February 2024, intending to be back home in June. I had planned to do 100 days of cycling, trying to go from Boston, MA to the state of Washington. By day 9, just south of Baltimore, I realized the insanity of the task and pivoted. I would aim to hit a few 100 mile days, until I felt ready to head back home.
But why 100? In our base ten system, 100 is a square that has captured something of our human essence. 100 senators.100 days of school. Counting to 100. Bilking/running 100 miles. The highest denomination is the 100 dollar bill. 100 squats, pushups, vocab words, kanji. 100 days of dieting and weight loss.
100 is big enough that getting to it is an accomplishment to celebrate,
but not so big that the thought of it is daunting and off putting
It's a challenge within our grasp.
100 for Democracy
Ultimately, our planet and our country need a new constitution. One that recognizes and protects the humanity/rights of all –not just the majority, eligible voters, or even citizens, but all the people of a planet that exists beyond human borders; of the life forms that share this world and make it habitable for us; of the natural systems that sustain our existence in ways we cannot comprehend but will soon come to understand how desperately we depend on them.
It is time for us to iterate and improve on the philosophy and aspirations of those who fought for this democratic project, against imperial power, against those who sought to keep people in chains, against an oppressive government that has sided with might and turned on its people for personal gain.
Our new constitution must anticipate and protect future generations’ need to chart their own paths: to create systems of governance that are responsive to conditions and realities we cannot predict today. But at its core, it will always preserve our innate rights to life, liberty, happiness, and participation within society.
Is It Feasible?
The scope of this project may seem daunting and overwhelming, but only when framed improperly.
This world is created every single day by everyday people. The people who lay our roads, build our homes and bridges, pour our coffee, drive truckloads of goods cross country, and educate our children. Millions of people dependably give their lives and labor so that the people around them can live in stability.
100 for Democracy is a project to change our understanding of how we can shape our world.
How can we be more intentional in creating better systems?
Wouldn’t you rather aspire to more, than resign yourself to barely squeaking by under power structures that seem to produce so much, but never enough to take care of the people who make that wealth?
It Begins With You
Healthier communities, environments, countries, and global systems begin with each of us tackling nearby problems. These changes require us to trust each other and ourselves to do the right thing when it counts. I aspire to turn this website into a multifaceted resource of education, inspiration, and connection, growing it as the impacts of our cooperation spreads. But to start, here are a few ideas to set you on your path:
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Speak to 100 new people to get to know your community
Gather 100 people for a neighborhood party
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Thank 100 public servants for their service
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Spend 100 seconds every day reflecting
on how you can and have grown
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Hundreds of ways to become a catalyst for change . . .
100 days of cleaning up litter from parks or streets
100 meals for those who need them
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100 days at an animal shelter or old folks home
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100 dollar fundraiser for a cause that matters to you
