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As a citizen of this country I must speak out about what the currently elected federal government leaders are doing: I do not think it is right. Do you?

Sen. Cory Booker from New Jersey in his recent historic 25 hours in the Senate quoted the late John Lewis, the civil rights activist and representative from the state of Georgia: “It is time to get into some ‘good trouble.’” What does that mean? I have no idea what that means.

Actually just the simple act of reading a book is a form of “good trouble,” according to the author of “On Tyranny” (published 2017) by Timothy Snyder. Here are four more ways to get into “good trouble” from a list of 20 lessons found in Snyder’s book:

Number 2: Defend institutions. It is institutions that help us to preserve decency. They need our help as well. Do not speak of “our institutions” unless you make them yours by acting on their behalf. Institutions do not protect themselves. So choose an institution you care about and take its side.

Number 8: Stand out. Someone has to. It is easy to follow along. It can feel strange to do or say something different. But without that unease, there is no freedom. Remember Rosa Parks. The moment you set an example, the spell of the status quo is broken, and others will follow.

Number 11: Investigate. Figure things out for yourself. Spend more time with long articles. Subsidize investigative journalism by subscribing to print media. Realize that some of what is on the internet is there to harm you. Learn about sites that investigate propaganda campaigns (some of which come from abroad). Take responsibility for what you communicate to others.

Number 20: Be as courageous as you can.

Peter Engstrom
Fairmont