We are Van Jones

I know this is old news by now, but to follow up on the Van Jones story, I just want to reiterate how disappointed I am to see the way things turned out.

I watched the Fox show that publicly tarred and feathered Mr. Jones. It was gross. I'm all for public debate and can appreciate opinions that Van Jones was not the right man for the job, or that his public statements, or professional demeanor were not ideal, although I personally don't agree with those opinions. I attended the speech at the Power Shift conference and have met many of the people who worked in the community-based organization (Green for All) he directed at the time. I didn't find any of them to be particularly radical, but rather a group of youth from the wrong side of the tracks who were working their hardest for something they are passionate about: a clean and safe future for themselves and their families. And they are pursuing that goal by demanding that the advantages of the green economy should be seen by all of us -- that this is a time of innovation where everyone should have an equal shot to take part, and that your community can be (em)powered, both financially and emotionally when they take part in a solution against climate change.

I have seen little evidence that Mr. Jones neglected any of the duties of his job, that he was bad at his job, or that there was any professional reason. What I saw on that t.v. show, however, was a clownish parade of disjointed accusations based around a theme of fear that didn't gel into a real problem. When I see such illogical behavior, I wonder if there is another reason for spending so much air time tearing down someone who seems to be doing just fine at his job. Maybe because he's doing more than just fine at his job. Maybe he's the only public figure who was effectively inspiring young people to take political action on climate change. Maybe he's the guy who's challenging the climate status quo by making climate a priority for everyone, of all races, genders, incomes, ages, and educational backgrounds. Maybe because he's the most well-known, non-elected champion of the pending energy bill.

Equality and justice. Those are two pretty basic pillars of the country we live in. (I'd personally throw in a pinch of compassion, but I didn't make the rules). Equality and justice are what Van Jones talked about at the Power Shift conference this March. It was an well-practiced and well-delivered speech, that inspired me to work for a balanced climate and a decent future, at a time when it seems like most national leaders seem to chose inaction as the preferable option. I know that no one seemed to know who Van Jones was until a week ago, but he was one of the leading voices on making "green" accessible to everyone, not just to those who could afford it, and that message remains very important to me. The climate challenge is a team sport, and everyone needs to be included in the solution if we're going to win the game.

Thousands of young people attended this conference because we see the reality of what fossil fuel emissions is doing to the world, and we have a commitment to living in a different future than the one we're headed towards. We have our full mental faculties, we work hard and study hard, we're regular people, we shop, eat, drive cars, ride bikes, take walks, live in cities and rural areas, and we CARE. We observe different faiths, we embody the melting pot that America was designed to be, we believe that the U.S. can be a leader to combat climate change, and we believe that we ALL deserve as stable of a planet as we can get. So when I see a person, a business, or an organization who is really walking the walk, who is coming up with viable economic alternatives for our cities, communities, and buisnesses, who is looking towards the future of our country, and is not afraid, but who is creative, open-minded, thoughtful, and concrete about the future, I get excited.

Right now, my excitement has fizzled into frustration, disappointment, and anger. But my hope is still here. My hope is that from the rubble of this chaos within an apparently small group of Americans concerned about the climate, more young leaders of good character will keep stepping up to the plate to speak the truth of how important this issue is for each of us. I hope we see Van Jones continue his work with the same level of efficacy and inspiration in a new venue. I hope we each continue to work to inspire our communities to make energy changes at the individual and group level -- to change when and why we drive, to lower our electricity use, to make investments in green and fair businesses, to plant vegetables for ourselves and our friends, and to envision our communities for a functional future. Because in some ways we are Van Jones. If he succeeds, we succeed. But even better, if we succeed, so does he, and so does everyone who helped to make a green economy, and a clean energy future a reality for our country.

If you want to read a better cited and informed article, I also suggest reading "Thomas Paine would have loved Van Jones" by Kelpie Wilson.