When President Obama first ran on the slogan, “Yes We Can,” I was all in. I, as well as others, understood the importance of a collective effort to affect progressive change.

But what also occurred to me is how social change, such as civil rights, workers’ rights and a list of other issues that affect the most disenfranchised, never happens from the top down. These changes take place due to a tireless bottom up movement.

No president, whether they are of our liking or disliking, will have the kind of power we desire to address and make policy favorable to our interests without a bottom up movement.

Ironically, from 2008 to the present, the far right understood this tactic and used it by way of the Tea Party and was able to control state offices, as well as both houses of Congress, and obstruct much of President Obama’s agenda to effectively improve the plight of the working poor. That movement basically set the basis for the election of Donald Trump to the presidency. 

We need not repeat the mistake of the past eight years and just be sideline critics. Decisive action that involves well-organized movements from the local to the national level must take place. We must be engaged and vote in every election and have movements of people and activists that hold public officials accountable.

As for third party candidates, it’s most important that the focus not be just on getting into the White House, but working from the bottom up with these candidates targeting local as well as congressional seats. It just makes sense to me.

STUART M. SPEARS

Richmond