State Fair Leader Group - Tasha

In the recent ‘Virginia Conversations’ event, our leader J explained when the political madness of 2016 hit, it prompted her to take action. For me, I am ashamed to say it made me crawl away and hide, to pretend like it wasn’t happening and I found myself detaching from something that I saw as being too big a battle for me to have any impact on. How thankful I am that J shared information about her giving circle, as it turned out to be the antidote to my defeatist attitude, whilst also showing that State Fair is a place you can go to when you are ready.

As the Virginia election approaches, there is certainly that feeling of a project coming to completion (before we move on to the next!). State Fair has been invested in all things Virginia for a few months now and upon personal reflection the state has certainly consumed a lot of my attention. Having read up on the political history of Virginia, it is apparent that since the mid 20th century, Virginia has taken opportunities to create fairness and be progressive, and places great emphasis on schooling, the environment and human rights.

It is not without its challenges though and with a heavily right-leaning government, Virginia appears to have fallen victim to the extreme Republican takeover of 2016 and its subsequent trickling through to state level government. This is not limited to just the United States, but felt around the world and perhaps is indicative of the seductive pull of populist politics. It isn’t too difficult to understand why though, with mainstream media coverage bombarding our senses with what’s going on at the top, rather than at the roots.

This is why The States Project has been such a revelation and why being part of a giving circle like State Fair makes for a great starting point in grassroots politics. Though this approach to politics may ask for a lot of patience from you, from personal experience, perseverance and dedication to the cause will inevitably pay off.

To have become a member and followed the work closely has given me a true sense of purpose and place, as well as the opportunity to have made some cherished friendships. To have then been given the opportunity to be part of the leadership team was more than I could have ever asked for and I hope I at least added to the impact and progress this giving circle has made. In the time since my involvement with State Fair to now, I have learnt a great deal and grown as a person. Though it is still a work in progress, I at least no longer feel the need to crawl away and hide in the face of politics. Though I may not be a politician, it is democracy that allows me, as a human being, to have agency and that is something we can all face the fight for.

I believe State Fair can offer you so much too. However you choose to contribute, being a part of our giving circle enhances your influence within this political system. Whichever state we may be supporting, it can have an impact on other states, and what happens in the states could even have an affect on government in the rest of the world.

Be as proud as I am to be a part of this wonderful group and know the best is yet to come.

Onward!