“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Miss A asked me. She was my second grade teacher, and I was one of twenty three students. Bright-eyed and cheerful, we had no real concept of money, time, or reality. As such, we could do nothing other than dream (and dream big, at that). So, it makes sense that I smiled at her and declared, “I want to be a queen!”
This was said with the same enthusiasm as “I want to be a superhero!” I was eight years old. I had no bills to pay and no job. Clearly, I had seen Queen Elizabeth in Buckingham Palace or watched too many Disney movies. I made no mention of blood dynasties, the Mandate of Heaven, or anything of the sort. I just knew I wanted to be something great. That desire never went away.
It did, however, manifest differently. Instead of being Meghan Markle, I learned more about Congress, the Electoral College, and so on. My dream narrowed on an aspiration for government work, whether that was within a department or as an elected official. Soon, I found myself being placed in managerial positions in my internships. I discovered I had a talent for people. I could see their skills and desires, and so my mission became focused on how I could help others become their best selves.
But what about my best self? Who was I? I couldn’t tell you. If I can’t do that… Then how can I say I know how to help others? How can I represent a thousand people, much less hundreds of millions? Or even just myself? How can I say I know what’s best? Who am I to know better?
This summer, I was determined. I wanted to work more locally. By getting back to my roots, I could figure out what those roots were. I was matched with the National League of Cities, an advocacy organization that represents the country’s 19,495 cities, towns, and villages, along with 49 state municipal leagues.
It was here that I realized — I’m no one to know better, the same as anyone else. That’s why we have each other. The National League of Cities provides resources and a platform for elected officials. These officials do not magically know everything. They rely on us for what they do not know, and it is because of this that they are successful. Likewise, we could not be the National League of Cities without their feedback and guidance. Elected officials sit on our boards, are a part of our constituency groups, and so much more. Between us exists a symbiotic relationship, and it’s not one exclusive to an organization and its members.
It exists between us as people. I am proud to be one of billions, because when I do not know, I can turn to the person next to me. If they don’t know, they can as well. We create a network of helpers, all confused but enthusiastic. That’s what forms a country, yes, but it also forms a community.