POWER COMES TO THOSE WHO THINK THEY HAVE POWER, and act according. That was the conclusion reached by a seminar class during my MA-level social studies, way back in 1979.  We were about 10 students sitting around a table, presided by the professor, discussing an opinion survey conducted in a part of Chicago in which people were asked whether they thought they had the power to influence the local government. 

The survey results showed that those who said that they believed they had no power to challenge the government, actually never participated in the political system, thus they had no power. Those who believed they personally could do something about a public problem, they actually attained influence in real life. So, if you act as if you have power, and act accordingly, you do attain power. If you think you are helpless, you will not exercise control over your life, either.

That I recalled when half-listening to U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal while I walked on the treadmill. Her book’s title reminded me about the power of individuals. She came to the U.S. at age 17 as a student, and now she’s a member of the U.S. Congress.  Only in America!

After Words with Representative Pramila Jayapal