This is a terrific and must-read piece, and I’m nodding along with complexity (however that looks like).

One thing I’d add: I do think “putting down roots” doesn’t necessarily have to be in-country. Many nations’ problems are interconnected. Working on LGBT rights in homophobic countries also requires understanding the roots of those problems in the United States. Working on climate change and pollution issues has to take a global perspective, because pollution stretches across borders and, more importantly, the sources of that pollution (coal shipping) often start domestically.

In my mind, what is important with regard to “putting down roots” is a long-term, ongoing commitment to build with people locally and foster the important relationships that make coalition building more effective. Some issues are very very specific to a local context, but many are global in scope, connectedness and influence. We need global solutions and perspectives. We are interconected.