"Investing in rural organizing is what's going to bring the political changes we have been looking for."
Down Home Carolina Eastern Regional Organizer Liz Lynn on rural organizing in Johnston County, North Carolina.
In the second in our “Meet a Rural Organizer” series, we hear from Down Home Carolina Eastern Regional Organizer, Liz Lynn. Lynn is fighting for “better schools, transportation, access to healthcare, affordable housing, and higher-paying jobs” in her rural region. Lynn is based in Johnston County, North Carolina.
The Cocklebur conducted this interview with Lynn over email as part of our “Meet a Rural Organizer” series. Meet a Rural Organizer features rural activists, advocates, and leaders who fight for the places they love. (Full Disclosure—The Cocklebur’s Bryce Oates is a dues-paying member of Down Home Carolina).
The interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
The Cocklebur: So, tell me something good about rural organizing in your part of the world.
Liz Lynn: Having lived and grown up in Johnston county, I have had a lifelong involvement in my community. Despite this, I have never encountered a group quite like the one that Down Home NC is trying to establish in my small town. I am thrilled to contribute to bringing this initiative to my hometown, because I believe that it will take a diverse group of individuals – each with their own unique backgrounds and lived experiences – to come together and strategize as a team to achieve real change. Working as a collective, we can hold elected officials accountable and encourage them to collaborate more closely with their constituents. This is the key to bringing about meaningful transformation, and my fellow members are eager to demonstrate this to everyone else.
The Cocklebur: What are the issues driving the talk at the schools and gas stations and nursing homes and such?
Lynn: Our chapter has been hard at work over the past year, reaching out to community members through surveys and canvassing efforts. What we have discovered is that individuals in the community are in need of better schools, transportation, access to healthcare, affordable housing, and higher-paying jobs. It's clear that these concerns are shared by many, and it's been eye-opening to see just how many people have not had the opportunity to voice their opinions until now. It's time to effect real change in the community, and Down Home is leading the charge by asking the right questions and ensuring that everyone has a voice in the conversation. We firmly believe that change is possible, and we are committed to making a difference by staying informed and making our presence known.
The Cocklebur: Let's say you're door knocking or phone banking or tabling with rural people. Issue organizing. Election Work. Tell me something you've learned about how to be a better rural organizer.
Lynn: My involvement with Down Home has granted me an incredible opportunity to connect with my community in ways that I never thought possible. At one point, I almost gave up on my small town because I didn't realize how many other people shared my views and aspirations for change. I have learned that many others had tried to make a difference as well, but they felt isolated in their efforts. However, I now know that there is strength in numbers, and when we stand united, we can become an unstoppable force. Over the past year, I've learned a great deal, including why so many individuals avoid politics. It can be intimidating, especially for those who are not familiar with the jargon or complexities of the political world. Using synonyms like “road” in place of “infrastructure” is an example of how I have learned to address the community on a more personal level. Working with our chapter both physically and virtually has shown me that anyone can learn and contribute, regardless of their level of expertise. With this experience I have become a better listener and I am becoming a better rural organizer each day.
The Cocklebur: And now you get to tell everybody your take on the things that political pundits and consultants get wrong about rural voters.
Lynn: It is a common misconception that individuals lack the power to make a difference. However, I believe that we have the ability to drive change, even if others doubt us. To do so, we need to bring together a special group of people who are informed and aware. One of my favorite quotes is, "the more you know, the more you do" and I have found that to be true in my own experience. As I learned more about my community's background, I realized that change was necessary. Now, as I raise my son, I feel a sense of duty to ensure that change is made not just for him, but for future generations as well.
The Cocklebur: Rural organizers are generally starved for financial resources. Make the case for investing in rural organizing as a means of winning issues or elections in overlooked rural places.
Lynn: Investing in rural organizing is what's going to bring the political changes we have been looking for. As someone who has organized grassroots efforts in my own hometown, I've noticed that rural residents are often excluded from important conversations and decision-making processes. However, over the past year, I have had the privilege of meeting some exceptional natural leaders who have emerged through our local grassroots efforts. By creating a space where people from all walks of life can come together and discuss the challenges they face, we can work together to find innovative solutions. Reaching out to rural communities can be challenging, but it is essential to ensure that everyone's voice is heard and that they have opportunities to engage. Our chapter is committed to finding ways to involve everyone in our efforts to bring positive change to JoCo, including those who live down the dirt roads. That is why it is important to invest in rural organizing... There are alot of dirt roads.
The Cocklebur: Any local leaders or up-and-comers doing rural work you'd like to highlight?
Lynn: One member, Erika Hall, stands out with her exceptional research skills and attention to detail. As a dedicated mother, alongside her husband Allen, who is also an active chapter member, Erika is passionate about supporting her local public schools and has become heavily involved in the cause. Members like Erika and others who consistently show up and shine are driving our chapter's success.
The Cocklebur: Here's the one where you get to recommend a book, a song, and a something to watch on a screen.
Lynn: I strongly recommend we read “Me and White Supremacy: Young Readers' Edition: Become an Antiracist Changemaker”. This book helped me to understand and break down racism against blacks and white supremacy within America, and my own community at an early age. Being mixed race has provided a space for me to analyze both sides and this book really helps answer some of the questions I had coming up.
The Cocklebur: Closing statement. Brag about your organization, yourself, and your work.
Lynn: We [Down Home Carolina] knocked on over 14,000 doors. Conversed with about 4000 individuals. Obtained a permanent office location. We have also put together numerous listening sessions and various civic engagement events. Growing our membership from 0 to 20 and counting. Through utilizing our connections and resources we were able to help get Congressman Wiley Nickels elected in 2022. Mobilizing the people of Johnston County continues to be our goal. We are dedicated to pushing forward and fighting for change, and I'm confident that we will continue to grow and connect with like-minded individuals. We will continue to build relationships with elected officials and secure a seat at the table. With our organization's mission at the forefront, and members who are passionate about achieving both personal and collective goals, I know that we will see more friendly and familiar faces on boards in the next decade.
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The Cocklebur covers rural policy and politics from a progressive point-of-view. Our work focuses on a tangled rural political reality of dishonest debate, economic and racial disparities, corporate power over our democracy, and disinformation peddled by conservative media outlets. We aim to use facts, data, and science to inform our point-of-view. We wear our complicated love/WTF relationship with rural America on our sleeve.