You Can't Not Do It: Journal of an Older Activist

by Ruth Stamm Dear

Former library book in good reading condition. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1891386247
• ISBN13: 9781891386244
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Plain View Pr
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.5" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Inspiration for Our Later Years

You Can't Not Do It covers Ruth Stamm Dear's life from the age of 72 until 82 and the years 1985 to 1995. It includes the text of speeches and articles that cover her activism in various Chicago and national groups. The journal is a political memoir that includes Ruth's radical roots and her work in the peace movement from the 1960's on, in the civil rights movement, with the Gray Panthers, and as a feminist. She reveres the process of activism although she knows in some cases the goal may not be reached in her life time. To Ruth is important to have stood up for beliefs and acted on them. She began her journal just after the death of her husband. In it she struggles with the pain of her loss. She finds new work to do and new community to share. Although her garden is now in pots, she draws strength and peace from it and enjoys the colors of her flowers. Whether Ruth is writing of work with Gray Panthers, preparing for a speaking engagement, or working her way through dark feelings, her journal shws her agile, contemplative mind as it meditates, weighs, considers, speculates, solves, and provides her with a life well lived. She is a remarkable older woman!

A Remarkable Woman's Story

I fell in love with this book after 3 pages, and thencould not put it down. I think what struck me the mostwas the recognition that Ruth Dear is both someone veryspecial and at the same time, she is everywoman. This is the journal of a older woman who is so clearly in touchwith the preciousness of life and the inner need we allhave to leave an imprint of justice.My only disappointment is that the chapter dealing withher early years is far too brief. It cries out for anotherbook from this notable new author.

A thoughtful companion for your journey

You Can't Not Do It is segments of a journal recorded over ten years, from age 72 through 82, interspersed with articles on activist projects published during earlier periods. In the journal segments, Ruth Dear addresses some of the questions I would love to be able to ask older friends - as I contemplate getting older myself.How do activists continue as activists, recognizing that the life they hoped for has still not come about? What is one capable of from 70 to 80 and beyond? What kind of activism is still possible in one's 70's and 80's?How does one survive the loss of a life partner? What enables one to survive? How can one remain connected with others in older age. or become connected with others? What can be sustaining in older age? Is older age a time of growth? Can one make big positive life changes in older age? Can one make significant changes in understanding? Is it really possible to reach some integrative understanding of one's life?There are not so many opportunities to conduct this long discussion with an older friend, and more important, Ruth is a special older person because of her lifelong passion for social justice, and her lifelong work as a writer and speaker.I found most interesting the persistence throughout her life of Ruth's belief in the need for radical change in the economics and politics of our society. Her need to combat ageism, racism, sexism, war, interference in the affairs of other nations, to fight for social justice in many arenas, to push for asking radical questions, continued into her 80's. She continued to speak, write articles and reviews, attend meetings, and structure ways for others to learn and show their commitment. She struggles with the failure of the society to change, the failures of radical groups to achieve their goals, and sometimes with the decline and death of groups in which she has been profoundly involved. And still she concludes, "you can't not do it." The reader will be interested to see that Ruth is significantly sustained by gardening, sunlight, trees, friends, enjoyment of people, new learning from books, mgazines, television, and lectures, finding new community, and most significantly, by making sense out of life. It's a valuable read if you want a companion in your journey.