Civic Engagement - Poem of Aspiration
By Brian Thrower, Crewe Town Manager
I recently ran across an article I found on LinkedIn that spoke volumes to me as a local government leader, particularly as it relates to the topic of civic engagement and what people are ultimately seeking from the places they call home. The article is titled, “We Long For A City Where We Go Hard On The Issues And Easy On The People.” This is an aspirational crowdsourced poem about what we long for in our cities, towns, and counties that was created by Kate Fitzpatrick, Needham, Massachusetts Town Manager. She sent out a call for feedback about what people longed for in their communities. She received over 50 responses from all over the country and wrote the poem below based on those responses. The poem is as follows:
We Long For A City Where We Go Hard On The Issues And Easy On The People
We long for civility.
We long for a city where people focus more on what we have accomplished, with pride and amazement, and focus less on what remains to be done, with frustration and criticism.
Where people come together to meet real challenges with resolve and good humor, and a willingness to work collaboratively. Where finding a reasonable compromise is considered a win.
Where we can disagree, without being disagreeable, and people are civil, respectful, and supportive, even in the face of disagreement.
Where broad generalities and stereotypes are not raised over differences of opinion.
Where there is an appetite for increased listening to others, and where opinions are allowed to evolve and change.
Where we worry more about the common good then a single agenda.
We long for a city where residents take the time to go past the headlines, learn about the issues, and ask questions.
Where civility and common courtesy prevail, and dialogue builds us up without breaking us down.
Where we can leave the past behind us, and grasp the opportunities that await us.
Where we no longer assume the worst in others, that secret agendas disappear, and that honesty and civility are not considered slanderous and outdated.
We long for that city.
We long for welcoming.
We long for a city where everyone feels respected and safe.
Where we are as happy to greet our neighbors as we are to cheer for the home team.
Where cancel culture is discredited.
Where working toward a vision of an equitable future and shaping economic development are not construed a conflict of interest.
Where we make space in our thinking to accept different points of view, not just the fashionable ones, and where we live is in line with our values.
Where neighbors from all parts of our city can prosper.
Where our city is a place welcome to all who enter, and compassion rules the day.
Where the only class that matters is the life-long learning one.
This is the city that we long to see.
We long for a sense of place.
We long for a city where people stop looking at all the bad, and start looking at what an amazing city we live in.
Where our cities keep building beautiful spaces, and nature and sustainability are at the forefront of our lives.
Where people smile when they wave to you, and the roads are in such good shape that you can look beyond them while driving.
Where the city brings out the best in us, and our dreams can become reality.
Where animals roam free, and we take the time to slow down and enjoy the view.
We long for that city.
We long for local government to be valued.
Where public service is appreciated and respect for public employees is the norm.
Where local government creates as much customer satisfaction as the most successful private business.
Where residents who have questions about their community reach out for answers before turning to social media.
Where city management is an honorable profession, and elected officials are respected for their commitment.
Where the way we always did it is not is the standard.
We long for that city.
We long for Collaboration.
We long for a city where problems are seen as opportunities, where success and failure are shared, and credit and blame are of less consequence.
Where people are inspired by empathy, coming together to meet challenges with resolve and good humor and a willingness to work collaboratively.
Where residents are resilient, positive, and display a wicked sense of humor.
Where people take their responsibilities seriously, without taking themselves too seriously.
Where people focus on what unites us and use our commonalities to achieve shared goals.
Where we achieve our goals because everyone recognizes we are on the same team, whether or not we all agree on the same game plan, and where our leaders foster and encourage this environment, rising above discord.
Where residents understand the impact of local government on their daily lives and are willing to collaborate to make their community exceptional.
Where people take satisfaction and pride in all that we have accomplished together as a community, extending the benefit of the doubt that what remains to be done will get done by the good people, both elected and professionals, to whom we entrust the task.
We long to build that city. Where we go hard on the issues, and easy on the people.
As you can see, there are several lines in this poem that speak directly to the topic civic engagement, and particularly to the issues of civility, collaboration, trust, and pride in local government. I encourage you to reflect on this poem often as you go about your day to day work and making your communities better!