Clowning & activism
My friend Dan’s story. What's yours?
Ooh I’m feeling joy sharing this newsletter with you. It’s my friend Dan’s story of clowning, activism, and figuring out how to be a human in this day and age.
Please enjoy!
Dan Vekhter is a dear friend and someone I consider to be a fellow comrade and co-explorer on the path of figuring out “what does it mean to be a human who cares deeply about the Earth and society these days?”
In response to this change maker kick I’ve been on lately, I was reminded of his piece It’s all activist work. In it he speaks about his own journey of activism work, and arriving at a broader take on what it means. One where there is less of a “clear line.”
In it, he writes:
Spreading love, in daily life, is activism.
At the hospital where I used to work, there was a cashier who would play music and have inspirational quotes prominently displayed. She spread good vibes to all her customers. This, too, was a form of activism.
The way I see environmental activism now, is through the lens of interbeing, a word coined by Thich Naht Hanh. There is direct environmental activism: things like restoring coral reefs or improving the soil. Then there’s more indirect activism, like bringing food to your new neighbor or smiling to people in your job as a cashier.
Dan’s Clown of Interbeing practice
One way Dan puts this form of activism into practice is through clowning.
“Clowning, you say?”
Yes, clowning!
Inspired by a “humanitarian clowning” trip with Patch Adams, for the last year and a half Dan regularly pops on a red nose and colorful clothing to step out of “the character of ‘Dan’” he “habitually plays,” and into “a different character entirely: ‘The Clown of Interbeing.’”
Grab your tissue box, because if you’re like me, his piece Why I clown: a manifesto, and what Dan’s doing more generally, is gonna make you cry. It is an awesomely inspiring example of someone wholeheartedly engaging in the practice of living his values.
My reason for clowning comes down to three values: play, connection, and courage. Each of these has nuances, additional layers of richness. And each value shares the quality of agency. By donning the red nose, I am choosing to bring play, connection, and courage, into an otherwise mundane moment.
The red nose acts as a cue for many people that something unusual is about to happen. A “newness” brain circuit opens up. People are more open to play.
Here are some examples:
…I started mime-scrolling an imaginary phone on the subway (a light mockery of the habitual subway-taker, myself being no exception). Then someone took an imaginary phone call from me. We began to chat with each other, on our imaginary phones. I then threw an imaginary ball at a different person on the subway car, and they caught it. Pretty soon four people on the subway were playing catch with the imaginary ball.
Really, every moment of being alive is special, magical, un-repeatable. All time is precious time. Everything is sacred. “Mundane” and “boring” are illusions of my mind. Clowning is a way to cut through these illusions, and bring me, and hopefully others, back to life.
I clown both for myself and for others.
I want to be a more playful, connected, and courageous person. These qualities are like muscles — they develop with exercise, and they atrophy with disuse. Clowning helps me practice play, connection, and courage every day.
And I clown to bring these values to others. I want the world to be a more playful, connected, and courageous place.
What’s your story?
What’s your story of bringing much-needed-things into the world through the way you live your life?
If you’re willing, I’d love to hear.
I’m looking for stories to include in my book. Examples of what it looks like to be a change maker in this ever-changing world.
As Dan said to me via email the other day—
Bumper sticker: Go big or go small or go medium or take a rest, it's all activism
Much love, thanks for being here.
So beautiful