We do, or don't, depending on our care and engagement as citizens
I wrote this poem in 1998 in light of my work in regional land use and transit planning. I revisited it this week, in light of the recent decision process in which the City of Indianapolis granted permission for a data center to be located in the Martindale Brightwood neighborhood over the persistent and raised voices of local residents.
Who makes these decisions
About where traffic lights go,
Where highways are built,
How fast or how slow?
Who makes these decisions
About size, width, and scale,
About where parks can be planted,
Where county jails?
Who makes these decisions
About developing land;
How much shall we grow?
Which trees shall stand?
Who makes these decisions
That give shape to a town,
That set habitation,
That move us around?
Others make these decisions
When we don’t get involved,
When we choose not to care,
When we have no resolve.
Others make these decisions--
They speak in our names,
They assume our places,
It’s part of the game.
Others make these decisions
Representatively.
But do they represent or
Count on passivity?
Who makes these decisions
Is up to you and me;
If we care not about them,
Do we care to be free?
We make these decisions;
These decisions are ours.
Unless we concede them,
These are within our power.
