Lightworkers

In the past few weeks, I’ve heard neighbors — good folks — say they don’t listen or watch any news, partly because “they are all lying,” no matter which “side.” This inaction is exactly the response authoritarians want — citizens who can’t or won’t discern lies from truth and who opt out, leaving the field wide open for the consolidation of power by leaders hellbent on grabbing all they can for themselves.

In response to those folks who are turned off, there are resources, events, and brave souls who are making a difference, who are working every day to be lights for each other and for the world.

Learning to boldly face harsh realities and not allowing the harshness and hatred to infect our hearts, minds, souls, is one of the aspects I most love about our Pachamama community. We see the loss of the Amazon rainforests, worldwide environmental destruction, conflicts rising to the level of threatened or actual genocide, and the ever-encroaching fascism. AND we also see that these appalling events are NOT the end of the story, and that the story is part of a larger story we cannot know, but which we are part of writing — wittingly or unwittingly.

The idea that WE are writing this story may feel like a heavy responsibility, but having watched the documentary film Lightworkers, with about 125 people at the Unitarian Church last week, I am excited and hopeful. Hollywood and tv filmmaker, Bobby Roth, was frustrated with hearing Hollywooders saying how awful things were and desperately asking “what can we do?” In the film he has interviewed 37 very diverse people who found a way to apply their “gifts” to their values in order to stanch the bleed of our democracy. Much like former blogs on this site, the interviewees pointed out that “worrying was not a strategy,” but facing their fears — and deciding to do it anyway — gave their lives a sense of purpose, energizing them to keep going. Individuals and the collective are already making choices that will potentially change the story forever.

Roth has basically made the film free (an individual can view it online for $4.99, but there is no fee for showing it to a group - preferably at least 25 people).  It’s an excellent conversation starter. If you are interested in seeing the movie, please contact Joyce Herman at hermanjoyce00@gmail.com, using the subject line “Lightworkers”.

In previous Pachamama blogs, (June 2025, “What’s Next” and February 2026, “Moving Forward With Strength and Courage”) we explored why many people felt unable or unwilling to actually do what historians have said is necessary to reverse fascism. At the same time, we recognized that working together, building community, and looking to sources of wisdom and support in the world can bring learning, and hope.

What can we learn from Hungary’s victory of Péter Magyar over Victor Orban in 2024? A wonkish, but important and interesting analysis of what might and what might not apply here can be found here. Magyar focused on fighting the corruption that had infected Orban’s Hungary. His message is particularly timely, especially for us, shining a light on ways we can address corruption in America.

Heather Cox Richardson is a professor of American history. She started writing Letters From an American in September 2019. Her letters have explored what it means, and what it has meant, “to be an American.” Recently Professor Richardson offered an important discussion of taxes and war and what government should do for its people. She has also explored the question of fascism. Throughout the past seven years, Richardson has shone a light on where we have been, where we are, and where we might be going, depending on whether we learn from our history.

In a posting on “Culture, Faith, and Politics,” Pat Kahnke, a former evangelical minister, and former Republican, analyzes Jon Ossoff’s speech to Beulah Evangelical Church in Atlanta, GA, as a rare and excellent example of honest and effective speechmaking.  He shows how Ossoff 1) speaks unflinchingly about the array of authoritarian actions, 2) points out the connection between those actions and our everyday lives and struggles. 3) reminds people of the courage it took to come this far in our democracy, and 4) inspires us to move forward.

Timothy Snyder’s book, On Tyranny, offers 20 lessons, which serve as “a call to arms and a guide to resistance, with invaluable ideas for how we can preserve our freedoms in the uncertain years to come.”  The check list starts with:

1.              Do not obey in advance…

This list, along with the resources included above and in the Reclaiming Democracy section of the Pachamama Alliance of the Rochester Area website can provide powerful platforms for discussion among various groups and organizations as well as a basis for training ourselves to become Lightworkers.

Onward!