A Gutsy Move
The Hunt for the Positive
Looking for Possibilities of Change
Here in Florida, I’m struggling to create a positive political story after a friend shared an essay by Rebecca Solnit that begins:
“We are hemmed in by stories that prevent us from seeing or believing in or acting on the possibilities for change.” The Guardian (Jan. 12, 2023)
In this quote, Solnit is speaking of climate chaos—her call for positive stories of progress:
“The situations have changed but the stories haven’t.”
Florida cities and counties are facing new limits after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed laws targeting DEI programs and some climate polities (WGCU.org)
As I grapple with devastating stories such as the latest Senate Bill (SB1134) signed into law by DeSantis and effective 1/1/2027, it reads:
CS/CS/SB 1134: Official Actions of Local Governments
Prohibiting counties and municipalities, respectively, from funding or promoting or taking official action as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion providing that certain ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, programs, and polities are void; providing that a county commissioner, a member of the governing body of a municipality, or any other county or municipal official acting in an official capacity who violates certain provisions commits misfeasance or malfeasance in office, etc.
Because I think Rebecca Solnit has a point—that I’m not seeing change because of my own confirmation bias. So, I looked for and found a positive Florida story:
OKEE-ONE DATA CENTER DECLARED DOA
In a gutsy move, and a significant public outcry, Okeechobee County, Florida’s County Commissioners have scrapped a land-use proposal for Okee-One, a data center—a massive user of energy and water that would have re-designated agricultural land to technology land.
Thank you for subscribing to Get Gutsy. I feel energized when I read a positive story. How about you? Care to COMMENT on something good you’ve read lately?
Remember, there’s no expiration on dreams,
Trish
Link to purchase my novel, Paper Bags: https://woodhallpress.com/paper-bags
It's important to sift through the cultural negativity bias to find the good stuff that is ALSO happening. This is one reason I follow both Jessica Craven's "Chop Wood Carry Water" and Jessica Valenti's "Abortion Every Day" — they both deal with tough topics and advise activism, but they also offer weekly roundups of good things and good news to keep us going.
Yes! Need some positive stories! Need to keep our eyes out for them. Thanks for this.