philosophy

Let us be clear about the Grannies. We are totally non-violent, believe in
only peaceful protest (with lots of laughter), work for the 'many not the few'
(motto of the old Mechanics' Institute) and see our work as the spreading
green branches of a great tree, rising up to provide shelter and nourishment
for those who will come after us.

Grannies are best equipped to make public, corrupt things that have been
hidden (often for profit). Of course our biggest struggle in the United States
at this time is the unjust and unnecessary war in the Middle East and social,
economic and environmental injustice at home. The list goes on.

The delights of grannying include: dressing like innocent little old ladies so
we can get close to our 'target', writing songs from old favorites that skewer
modern wrongs, satirizing evil-doing in public and getting everyone singing
about it, watching a wrong back down and turn tail and run, sharing a
history with other women who know who they are and what they're about.
Grannying is a most powerful weapon.

From the most ancient times, the strong, wise, older women were the ones
who advised, mediated and fought for what was right. Belief in the Disir or
Divine Grandmothers, the Mothers of Time, is ancient and runs through all
societies. The Celts listened to their older spokeswomen since they believe
that Kali-The-Crone had the power to create their mountain ranges. The
Malay thought there were three grandmothers: the Kari-Under-The-Earth
who would cause floods if not listened to respectfully. There were the
Druids who believed that the souls of old wise women lived on in the trees
that surrounded them. The Norse Nanna or Anna doubled as Earth Mother.
And on this Turtle Island where we live (North America), the Iroquois teach
that the Woman who fell down from the sky was the Mother of All. So their
older women are the clan mothers who guide all decisions.

What an inheritance. And what a history of trouble-raising when not listened
to. Even in our times, we grannies have raised a few mountains, caused a
few floods.

What do you need to be a granny? A sense of humor and an ability both to
be objective and to compromise when working with others. Willingness to
make noise. A thirst for Justice. An open heart to learn something new. No
singing ability. Passion. Joy. Delight. No color sense, obviously. A friendly
disposition. Kindness. Scientific curiosity can't hurt. Maybe a sense of
history and our place in it. There is so much more to be written on being a
granny by those yet to come.