Our Voice Is Our Power – Let’s Use It

by Gary Hooser

During my 30 years of work in politics and policy, it’s become undeniably clear that our voice is the most powerful tool in our toolbox.

We can and we should vote, of course, but speaking out on issues, and letting the world know our thoughts, feelings, goals, and hopes – is the most important tool for change that we have.

Unfortunately, the world of mass media has become a morass of content, with opinions too often disguised as facts, and marketed as “clickbait” designed to sell advertising.

Mahalo to the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle for the valuable role they play in helping to amplify the many local voices of change that might otherwise go unheard.

By providing a straightforward community-based forum for coherent voices to tell their own personal stories – our world is a better place.

Telling stories and voicing opinions allows the writer to publicly “come out” on issues and values.

Often when one person “comes out”, it gives confidence to others to do the same on perhaps an issue they might otherwise feel is too controversial or that they are in the minority on, and thus they are hesitant to speak about.

The issue could be about the tragedy occurring in Gaza, or the right for workers to be paid a living wage, or Medicare for all, or that affordable housing is a basic right, or a woman’s right to choose, or yes… LGBTQ rights.

The bottom line is when one person begins to speak and write on issues, values, opinions, and goals – others are motivated to do the same.

When people start talking out loud about these issues, then others are empowered also to join in the conversation, and soon “policy-makers” hear the chorus and start pushing policy in the direction of the conversation.

This is how the tide of public policy shifts from one position to another.

Our councilmembers, Representatives, and Senators serve at the pleasure of the voters.

If the voters are increasingly vocal in their support or opposition to various public policy issues/positions – the elected representatives will ultimately notice and move in the direction of the voter.

This is a fact of life in electoral politics.

Those who serve in elected office love their jobs and they can remain in office only if they win the votes of residents.

Thus it’s critically important that each of us continue to raise our voices in public support and in opposition to the issues important to us.

We must use all methods of communication to ensure our individual and our collective message is strong and shared widely: Letters to the editor, emails and telephone calls to elected policy-makers, direct communications with our own friends and networks, holding signs and marching with others – and yes absolutely with the strong support of those media sources that provide a coherent forum for diverse opinions – like the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle.

Please join me today in raising our voices together, united in purpose with people across the islands and in fact across the globe, in support of a world that puts people and the planet first, above greed, above corporate profits, and above ego and personal aggrandizement.

GARY HOOSER is a former Hawaiʻi State Senator and Majority Leader.

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