The author characterizes Angie’s method to reach out to other members of the society like fellow students and administrators as village politics. They reached out to many individuals and groups like other schools and churches. Such groups are essential as they help to raise fundamental issues in the society. It is in these organizations that the rest of the society start to take the agenda seriously unlike when one person raises them. It is also very critical that such groups remain independent from any governmental influence. It is only then that the members can express concerns and raise awareness to common challenges (p 199).
Dialogue is the best way in which most people can get involved in matters of the society. It makes it possible for people to speak out and have an input in everyday choices. Power, by all means, must also hinge on rules and structures that allow people to debate thus preventing conflicts from arising (p 200). Village politics help to dare mechanisms to enhance the discussion of national and global issues. Such networks should be built on already existing relationships to promote social visions on a good spectrum. For the growth of any citizenry, the neighbor to neighbor outreach remains very instrumental. A student group from the University of Michigan for instance was responsible for raising critical social issues. This was despite the fact that their society had been traditionally disengaged (p 201).
Therefore, this passage expounds on the importance of an individual or group working hard to educate the rest of the society on matters environment. As a recognized group it is easier for Angie and her group members to carry the message around. Fishing Together Villages should be built in a way that enhances their engagement with the rest of the world. With globalization and everything it comes with the world has become a global village. Pete Knutson was a fisherman and the son of a Lutheran minister (p 206). He initially supported the Vietnam War until his friends who had participated in the war came home feeling betrayed. The instructed him not to trust the military because they always lie (p 207).
He had a boat that he used for fishing to support his family. He was also part of those who brought up the Puget Sound Gillnetters Association which helped the members to market their fish together. It was like their lobby group against large canneries. There had been a longstanding mistrust between the environmentalists and the fishermen. Pete took upon himself to unite the two groups which were no mean task, but he managed it with a coalition even formed. The alliance proved instrumental in the coming years as the fishermen’s operations were threatened at some point. They used the partnership to picket and held press conferences to champion for what they said were their rights against their wealthy opponents (p 207).
Through Pete and the others, the group survived having changed their vision from narrow to more complex and sustainable interests. They wanted to have a better future for their kids and the generations to come (p 208). From this passage, the audience learns that for a community to sustain any of their campaigns there has to be unity. Pete and the group had to transform their shallow mindedness to see the bigger picture. That is when they decided to form an alliance to champion for their liberties and a sustainable future for their children.