Keyboard activism is laissez-faire

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Last month I wrote a column about the cycle that occurs after a mass shooting. As a reminder, I wrote that a mass shooting occurs, it trends on social media, thoughts and prayers are sent, nothing else happens until another shooting happens. Rinse, lather, repeat.

Well that cycle happens with small-town issues.

A story comes out either on someone’s Facebook post, our newspaper or even both. If the topic is controversial, then there are comments by outraged readers and citizens. But then everything dies down and we’re back to status quo.

I’ve been shown certain Facebook posts when Gonzales citizens are complaining about one thing or another. The problem is, there are more posts on Facebook with complaints than there are solutions. And when there’s a story in the paper saying “volunteers are needed”-we call event leaders afterwards asking if they got enough volunteers and the answer is usually no.

I know what you’re thinking. “Look at this writer with his pot-calling-kettle-black column.”

Sure, it’s easy for me to call out keyboard activists when I’m sitting behind a computer screen right now writing this column. But hopefully if you read on, you’ll see that I’m trying to do more than that.

We here are trying to make a difference by informing and educating the public of all things Gonzales County. What you do with that information is up to you. But if you really want to make a difference, we’ll make it easy for you.

We now are starting a policy where in our paper or website you will know when important meetings are coming up. We regularly cover city council meetings, GEDC meetings, county commissioner meetings, etc. and then report on them in the next issue. But starting in the next issue we’ll regularly put up a calendar of said meetings. After all, these are all open to the public and most of them have an allocated time right at the start for public comment.

One piece of advice I hear and read all the time is “if you want to make a difference, go vote.”

I’m not advocating against voting, but the singular act of casting a vote isn’t going to make as big of an impact as you may want. Join a group like the Rotary Club, Noon Lions, Morning Lions, Pilot Club, etc.

I talked to Daisy Scheske Freeman, the executive director of the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce, and I asked her directly how can somebody make a difference in this community and she ran through another slew of groups including the hospital board, school board, chamber board, tourism, etc.

“The county commissioners, city council, Main Street, economic development, tourism, etc. are all open to the public,” Freeman said. “If you feel that there is something that needs to be addressed, I highly recommend contacting your city council member, mayor, county commissioner and attending these public meetings.”

This Monday, the Gonzales ISD school board meets. On Tuesday, it’s Gonzales city council.

There’s plenty to brag about in 2016 about Gonzales. I’ve personally noticed a change here in town when I first moved in 2013 to present-day Gonzales. There are bigger and better festivals now from Come and Take It to the Summer Concert Series and even Winterfest. But to keep this up, to keep the momentum going, to continually push upward it’s going to take more devoted and motivated people.

You ever hear that phrase “it takes a village”? It’s true in towns like Gonzales. But don’t just share this post on Facebook and write “yes, let’s be a part of change,” then do nothing. Stand up and actually become a part of change. “Come and Take It” shouldn’t just be a slogan for business owners to abuse for profit. It should be a calling card for all of us who want change.

The opportunity is there for us all. All we have to do is come and take it.

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