The Most Peculiar People In The World

“These Americans are the most peculiar people in the world. You’ll not believe it when I tell you how they
behave. In a local community in their country, a citizen may conceive of some need [that] is not being met. What does he do? He goes across the street and discusses it with his neighbor. Then what happens? A committee begins functioning on behalf of that need. All of this is done by private citizens on their own initiative. The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens”

—Alex de Tocqueville, French visitor to America in 1831

Citizenship today requires individuals be knowledgeable of public problems but, more importantly, have the capacity to act together toward their solutions. Voluntary actions by private citizens working together to rectify injustices, change directions and pursue benefits for the common good are noted throughout
American history. This list includes the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, public education, community hospitals, the civil rights movement, the women’s movement, the environmental movement, and more. In some cases, the movements’ leaders achieved great fame and the respect of the nation and the world, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez.

In every case, people voluntarily came together with a shared sense of purpose for the common good and with the intent of righting a wrong in the community. They also found like-minded people of goodwill. Groups formed alliances and multiplied their strengths. In 1996, Robert Kennedy observed:

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current
which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and

In every case, people voluntarily came together with a shared sense of purpose for the common good and with the intent of righting a wrong in the community. They also found like-minded people of goodwill. Groups formed alliances and multiplied their strength. In 1996, Robert Kennedy observed:

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

“In order to carry a positive action, we must develop here a positive Vision.”

DALAI LAMA