Editor,

In times of crisis, it is easy to point fingers.

It is easy to blame the exponential growth of cases and increasing lockdown-duration attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic on a few culpable sources: the egomania of our president who prioritizes pride over precaution; the negligence of our unmasked neighbors who value individualism over collectivism; and negligence of national, state, and local governments that prioritized profits over citizens.

The undercurrent of all of this, of course, is the fact that we are still in the midst of arguably the largest protest in this nation’s history.

Uprisings and demonstrations still happen everyday across the country in opposition to police terror, racial injustice, and white supremacy.

Grappling with the magnitude of these topics everyday can feel paralyzing.

However, I have found inspiration redirecting my focus towards our community. I have come to believe that many of the problematic power structures that appear insurmountable are more readily addressed within the microcosm of Whidbey Island.

Although we are not a place devoid of these issues, I believe we are on a path towards a brighter future. We have seen many of our local leaders stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, especially the Langley City Council which recently passed a powerful resolution examining past and rooting future policy in deliberate anti-racist ideology.

As a millennial who will inevitably have to deal with the enduring consequences of the social and legislative actions and reactions made at this exact moment, I am inspired by a few marginal, though powerful, indicators of progressive change. I am optimistic that there are candidates in the primary who will continue to act on and guide this progress.

I believe we have the opportunity to bring real leaders and future thinkers into office. In the Island County Commissioner race in District 1, I had the pleasure of speaking with candidate Nathan Howard about his climate action plan, the need for low-income housing and his desire to provide opportunities and resources for working class residents. I agree firmly with his belief that the government is not a business and should not be motivated by profit.

Rather, Nathan says, “government’s primary goal should be to support its citizens, and protect the health, safety, and welfare of those citizens.”

There are also three other progressive candidates I encourage you to look up: Fe Mischo, candidate for Island County Commissioner District 2; Ivan Lewis, candidate for state representative in the 10th; and Jason Call, candidate for Congress in the Second Congressional District.

I believe these candidates are the most likely to affect real and positive change.

Preston Ossman

Freeland