Click above image for Progress Illinois article
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Link to pictures
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=22281217297828145/l=412784537/g=138510861/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB
Above: more pictures from Postville. Most of them are also up on Facebook.
Above: more pictures from Postville. Most of them are also up on Facebook.
Notes from a Retreat
I’m beginning to realize that a big part of me really loves words and especially words turned into well worded evocative slogan, especially when that phrase or slogan is deep enough with meaning to provoke action. At our IWJ annual retreat last week, I encountered a phrase spoken by someone so deeply connected with the movement that I could not ignore it. Two of my colleagues from IWJ and I were leading the opening event of the retreat, a discussion of the book The Big Squeeze by Stephen Greenhouse. I was concerned that the discussion would be boring or deal with surface issues only, as I knew there was so much on people’s minds about what needed to get done on the retreat, outside of an assigned book discussion. I should have remembered that this was a gathering of men and women neck deep in the struggle for worker justice, a group who were surely ready to reflect on their everyday experiences. Keron Blair, a recent seminary grad and the freshly minted director of the New Orleans IWJ affiliate, was ready to reflect. In discussing his reaction to the stories of abuse, rights violations, victory and defeat in The Big Squeeze, Keron forcefully asserted in his lilting Jamaican inflected English that we must call ourselves and the religious and other communities we seek to mobilize on behalf of low wages to a hermeneutics of liberation. It has been over a week since I heard that phrase, and I am still challenged and even haunted by it. A “hermeneutics of liberation” seems to be a call to view the world, our struggles, and our campaigns through the ever present lens of liberation. How does this campaign, this organizing effort, that conference call or one on one contribute to the never ending process of liberation? What I am liberating myself, my co-workers, the workers I am working for and even the employers we are working against from? What are the structures of oppression that bind us all in a dance of violence and exclusion? These are deep, profound, and complicated questions, but they seem to me to be the right questions and the right framework to approach the world.
Liberation is a messy thing. It implies that all involved in the organizing process need to be freed from something. It also means that the more “successful” an advocate or organizer is, the less control she has over the process. Liberation is not me pushing my child in a stroller, teaching her about the world around her while I control where she goes, even if she can argue with me about it and maybe change my mind. I picture liberation as my daughter dragging me along by the arm, running ahead, behind, around, and all over freed to explore her own world. Liberation is a messy thing, but it seems to me that it is the goal we must strive for, above and beyond and through the (worthy) goals of increased union density, procedural justice, and even empowerment.
We were challenged at the end of the retreat to express our hopes and dreams for both IWJ and ourselves the work. It was a bit of an awkward situation for me personally, as I was encouraged to apply for various positions within IWJ to work at least on an interim basis. I have been sorely tempted to jettison the prospect of papers, reading, and accompanying 60 Tuftsians for working with the worker center network. I was reminded, however, of the story of Esther. Mordecai, when he comes to Esther to ask her to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people who are to be exterminated the next day, says (more or less) “for perhaps it is for such a time as this that you have been place here for the salvation of your people.” And I think that’s how I have to view this summer as a “for such a time as this” moment, where I have been placed in these 11 weeks to accomplish something and that beyond that I do not know what my upcoming “place” reveals about my role in the struggle for worker rights, but I know that I’m here now. It’s also interesting that Esther plays only a small (but nowhere near minor) role in the book named after her. She appears for a bit, but the action revolves around Mordecai, Haman, and others. It seems that even bit players, there in the right place and at the right time, willing to take advantage of the opportunity and liberated from the need for self-aggrandizement can play important roles in the struggle for liberation.
-Jacob
Liberation is a messy thing. It implies that all involved in the organizing process need to be freed from something. It also means that the more “successful” an advocate or organizer is, the less control she has over the process. Liberation is not me pushing my child in a stroller, teaching her about the world around her while I control where she goes, even if she can argue with me about it and maybe change my mind. I picture liberation as my daughter dragging me along by the arm, running ahead, behind, around, and all over freed to explore her own world. Liberation is a messy thing, but it seems to me that it is the goal we must strive for, above and beyond and through the (worthy) goals of increased union density, procedural justice, and even empowerment.
We were challenged at the end of the retreat to express our hopes and dreams for both IWJ and ourselves the work. It was a bit of an awkward situation for me personally, as I was encouraged to apply for various positions within IWJ to work at least on an interim basis. I have been sorely tempted to jettison the prospect of papers, reading, and accompanying 60 Tuftsians for working with the worker center network. I was reminded, however, of the story of Esther. Mordecai, when he comes to Esther to ask her to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people who are to be exterminated the next day, says (more or less) “for perhaps it is for such a time as this that you have been place here for the salvation of your people.” And I think that’s how I have to view this summer as a “for such a time as this” moment, where I have been placed in these 11 weeks to accomplish something and that beyond that I do not know what my upcoming “place” reveals about my role in the struggle for worker rights, but I know that I’m here now. It’s also interesting that Esther plays only a small (but nowhere near minor) role in the book named after her. She appears for a bit, but the action revolves around Mordecai, Haman, and others. It seems that even bit players, there in the right place and at the right time, willing to take advantage of the opportunity and liberated from the need for self-aggrandizement can play important roles in the struggle for liberation.
-Jacob
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Agitation
I love organizing and I love this organization.
Today, I went to a World View training hosted by Take Action, a political organizing group. I enjoyed the company of two co-workers, both "Apprentice" organizers here on volunteer programs.
The organizing did exactly what all organizing should do, at some point: it made me want to change things.
At one point, we were discussing the "staging" of the political scene. Progressive center-stage, supporting players, conservative center-stage, supporting players. And I got so angry and so frustrated, because we started to talk about the Religious Right. (In this entry, I'll focus on the Christians.)
The other day, I was interviewed about Catholic Social Teaching for a Catholic radio station. (I'll post the link here once the program airs and is archived, although that probably won't be until October.) The woman interviewing me asked how my faith informs my work. What I wanted to say was, "How could it not?"
Instead, I said something along the lines of (although probably much less articulately), "Jesus was a radical. When I think about my faith, I think about caring for the lowly. I think about working with the poor. I can't think about my faith separate from the Beatitudes."
And that's what I was thinking about today - what made me so angry. If you say that you're living out your faith in your life, how can you ignore Jesus' main message: love your neighbor?
Of course I want morality in politics. Of course I want the government's actions to align with my religion. But what I see as most important about my religion is access to a fair economy, a world where you get adequate compensation for working, where a human is a human regardless of their legal status, and if you're sick you can see a doctor without fear. A country where standing up to your boss doesn't mean you'll get sent back to political instability, where you are allowed to send money back home to your family, where you can put food on the table and watch your children grow up without worrying whether or not they'll have a home to come back to.
How about these things for a moral agenda? How about focusing on building a democratic system where citizens have a say? Where we care for one another and work towards changing our world so that all of us can lead a full, healthy life in which we spend time with our loving families and communities?
How about that?
Today, I went to a World View training hosted by Take Action, a political organizing group. I enjoyed the company of two co-workers, both "Apprentice" organizers here on volunteer programs.
The organizing did exactly what all organizing should do, at some point: it made me want to change things.
At one point, we were discussing the "staging" of the political scene. Progressive center-stage, supporting players, conservative center-stage, supporting players. And I got so angry and so frustrated, because we started to talk about the Religious Right. (In this entry, I'll focus on the Christians.)
The other day, I was interviewed about Catholic Social Teaching for a Catholic radio station. (I'll post the link here once the program airs and is archived, although that probably won't be until October.) The woman interviewing me asked how my faith informs my work. What I wanted to say was, "How could it not?"
Instead, I said something along the lines of (although probably much less articulately), "Jesus was a radical. When I think about my faith, I think about caring for the lowly. I think about working with the poor. I can't think about my faith separate from the Beatitudes."
And that's what I was thinking about today - what made me so angry. If you say that you're living out your faith in your life, how can you ignore Jesus' main message: love your neighbor?
Of course I want morality in politics. Of course I want the government's actions to align with my religion. But what I see as most important about my religion is access to a fair economy, a world where you get adequate compensation for working, where a human is a human regardless of their legal status, and if you're sick you can see a doctor without fear. A country where standing up to your boss doesn't mean you'll get sent back to political instability, where you are allowed to send money back home to your family, where you can put food on the table and watch your children grow up without worrying whether or not they'll have a home to come back to.
How about these things for a moral agenda? How about focusing on building a democratic system where citizens have a say? Where we care for one another and work towards changing our world so that all of us can lead a full, healthy life in which we spend time with our loving families and communities?
How about that?
Thursday, July 24, 2008
More Pictures
This Tuesday over 2000 people from over 70 different organizations, faith communities and labor groups marched to demand changed at the Port of Oakland - good jobs AND clean air. Here are some photos
Monday, July 21, 2008
White people like (unpaid) internships
Had to pass this along,
Stuff White People Like, #105 Unpaid Internships
Its in satire here but the reality of race is something that we still need to be thinking about. I feel that in a lot of our work class appears to be the most glaring difference between us and those we serve. In most cases we are here because we can afford to spend a summer with no (or little) pay. Class is a consistent difference but I believe that race is still there in the background as a factor in how classes shape out. Many of our non-white colleagues already know this.
I have done a good bit of reading on race (for a white person) and this blog is still one of the best guides to contemporary white culture. Plus its hilarious.
Stuff White People Like, #105 Unpaid Internships
Its in satire here but the reality of race is something that we still need to be thinking about. I feel that in a lot of our work class appears to be the most glaring difference between us and those we serve. In most cases we are here because we can afford to spend a summer with no (or little) pay. Class is a consistent difference but I believe that race is still there in the background as a factor in how classes shape out. Many of our non-white colleagues already know this.
I have done a good bit of reading on race (for a white person) and this blog is still one of the best guides to contemporary white culture. Plus its hilarious.
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Reluctant Strike Captain: Part I
After almost 3 hours of walking the picket line in front of the hotel, I was sitting with one of the strikers - we'll call her Providencia - trying to calculate the number of hours she still needed to work to fulfill the weekly quota and receive her weekly strike pay. She calculated how many hours she had already worked (9 hours and 35 minutes) meaning that she still had 5 hours and 25 minutes more to get her goal of 15 hours at the end of the day. She had come in at 11 with a baby and a stroller - so I told her to just stick around until 25 minutes after I left (was leaving at 4pm) and she would be okay.
Then she looked at me, angry and disgusted, and shouted:
'Que pinche dices?! YA me voy!'
What the fuck are you saying?! I'm getting outta here!'
'Hey, hey, hey, hey... No need to talk like that!' smiling as I said it. In situations like these I can't cop attitude or authority - these strikers have a pride and a misery I can never understand or touch - but I'm the strike captain for this shift so I have to do something. 'I'm new to this job, and I'm trying to figure out what to do. If I'm doing something wrong show me.'
She looked away.
'Hey.' Still looked away.
'Hey.' Nope.
'Hey, look at me!'
'I DON'T NEED MY EYES TO HEAR YOU!' Break point - she's mad. So now I either stop and come across as a heartless jerk, I apologize and seem insincere and weak, or I keep going and maybe get to something. It's all or nothing.
'Did you hear me? I'm sorry if I upset you, and I realize that I'm just some student that's going to go back to his life and I may never see you again, but I'm here to learn and unless you help me I will gain nothing - and you're gonna stay angry. So either you help me figure out what's going on and we both leave happy, or I write down something in the pay-roll book that makes you or my bosses angry and we're all screwed. Your choice...'
At this point her friend piped up - la Fria or 'Ice-lady'. When she came in that afternoon there were no hello's or smiles, only an abrupt 'I can only stay until 1:30 today, so don't tell me to stay longer!' Then she picked up a sign and started walking next to Providencia. Her eyes were the worst, though, dense with anger and apathy. Passionate anger can be dealt with because it still feels and reacts to what's around. Apathetic anger is dead and cold and can be moved only by miracle.
'You don know da kine-uh tings we do here ah da strike!' she began, shouting in English. Though she'd doubtless heard me speaking Spanish to Providencia I was still just another pinche gringo to her. I kept on in Spanish.
'But that's why I'm here, aren't you listening at all? What do I have to do to get someone to talk to me like a person, and not like a gringo?'
That did it.
In a rush of emotion they shared their stories - stories of frustration, hardship, impatience, the grind of raising kids and providing a decent life while balancing their strike-hours with new jobs. I thought about mentioning that though picketing isn't easy at least they're paid to walk out here, that they only have to walk and not scrub floors and be yelled at by management, that they can even talk to their friends while picketing, that even as a picketer their wages are better than those who actually work at the hotel they've left, that by being here every day they are fighting for their dignity and are a source of inspiration and strength for thousands in the city.
But in the face of hard reality stuff like this is just so much shiny, worthless propaganda - more annoyance than comfort.
Instead I shared my story, how my mom had been exactly like them - struggling to feed and clothe her youngest son in an indifferent world, shadowed by an abusive dead-beat dad, bad boy-friends, and dead-end jobs. It helped to smooth over the moment, but there was no peaceful resolution. When we restarted the picket line silence and awkwardness, linked arms akimbo, crashed our not-so-happy/united little march - locked into each step during the last hour or so before Providencia left.
Shots from a recent action...
Some photos from a faith action for the AFSCME 3299 strike. University of California are at the end of a five days strike to have their contract negotiated.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Become a Fan of IWJ!
Law of attraction
Here in the Twin Cities , We have being going after Wackenhut Security and their corporate buddies. Well yesterday we had an direct action on the Women in Business luncheon --where a number of entities were present. As we "moved on" the luncheon at a very nice downtown hotel, I must say that the security was so slow to react that if something major were to happen ,I don't think they would be prepared for anything. Back to this Law of Attraction notion --When we flyered the" hoity toity" luncheon we were asked to vacate the private property, as we complied "they"asked us to leave an public area(sidewalk). Up comes a contingent of Wells Fargo bankers who use the evil corporate entity of Wackenhut who fires folks for organizing for a living wage, affordable health care, and dignity in the workplace. I have been on the telephone with Wells Fargo employees , the whole summer and I don't believe that it was just happen stance or luck. Law of Attraction goes with the notion (ask= receive) (seek= find) (knock=opened)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Seeing the good in people
“Yes, I can try to help” was what he said with a beautiful smile. The most important job that we do here at the Restaurant Opportunity Center in Michigan is talking to restaurant workers and fill out a survey which can help us understand the condition for restaurant workers in the Metro Detroit area. This task can be either daunting or plain fun. Luckily for me, it happened to be the later. We approach restaurant workers either when they are about to leave work or simply when they are walking down a street. Approaching random people and introducing yourself is quite a challenge. At first I had thought it was an insane idea, but about 90 surveys later, I go out everyday with a motivation to get more. I have learnt that our goal is way too important for me to be held back because of the challenge the means brings forth. I’ve also realized that to get to 500 surveys, even 1 is a great success.
But what makes it all amazing; (something I’m constantly thankful for) is how wonderful people have been. In the past couple of weeks I have started to believe that people are, well…good. It’s that simple. If you choose to believe this fact, you’ll understand that we all mostly become the way we’re treated. Luckily for me, every person I’ve approached with a smile has responded with the same attitude. Even though it’s not everyone, most people want to help, be a part of something much bigger than they are, they just need a slight push, and of course, that smile goes a long way.
Life has thought me not to be too naïve, there are definitely people out there, who may not be as “nice,” as I’d like them to. But I’ve learnt that I can never let them get to me – there is always a bigger picture that I need to keep in mind. Different circumstances might have made them the way they are… I guess all I can do… is smile yet again… and hope that they realize that there is an alternative their current attitude. There really is "a good" in all people... i guess for me, the most important step has been to realize this fact... that has been one of the blessings of being a part of the work for social justice.
But what makes it all amazing; (something I’m constantly thankful for) is how wonderful people have been. In the past couple of weeks I have started to believe that people are, well…good. It’s that simple. If you choose to believe this fact, you’ll understand that we all mostly become the way we’re treated. Luckily for me, every person I’ve approached with a smile has responded with the same attitude. Even though it’s not everyone, most people want to help, be a part of something much bigger than they are, they just need a slight push, and of course, that smile goes a long way.
Life has thought me not to be too naïve, there are definitely people out there, who may not be as “nice,” as I’d like them to. But I’ve learnt that I can never let them get to me – there is always a bigger picture that I need to keep in mind. Different circumstances might have made them the way they are… I guess all I can do… is smile yet again… and hope that they realize that there is an alternative their current attitude. There really is "a good" in all people... i guess for me, the most important step has been to realize this fact... that has been one of the blessings of being a part of the work for social justice.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
God is...
“Let nothing bother you
Let nothing dismay you
Everything passes
Patience gains all
God alone is enough”
~St. Teresa of Avila
I found this quote again in the book that I am reading for my ILP. (The book is delightful and prompts great examinations.)
I found the prayer of St. Teresa profound for my week. My week consisted of no delegations (so far), very little interaction with the strikers, and mostly meetings with area priests and pastoral workers. All of the meetings have been fruitful in their own right- some we will be visiting again simply because there is more there that we are going to be able to do. Others, we will not visit again-because they are already set.
Let nothing bother you…there are times when I really have to wonder how the situation got to the point where I am called to this part of the world. How could things have disintegrated so far that it is even necessary to have people employed to speak and advocate for the needs of others.
Let nothing dismay you…I continue to seek God in the daily living here in Phoenix. It seems easier sometimes than others. I was driving with Joseph, my supervisor from a meeting with a member of the staff at the ASU Newman Center and a police officer was sitting in his pickup truck with the air conditioner on, full blast watching a group of Hispanic men cross the street away from him. I am trying to find God more and more often. Most often I encounter God when I am speaking to the strikers.
Everything passes…my time here in Phoenix is slipping away. I would love to see this plan and project through to the end, yet I know that this is not possible. It seems to go against my nature to begin something and then not see it through. I can think of 3 times in my life where this has happened. This project will make 4. Interesting.
Patience gains all…I am NOT a patient person. Enough said.
God alone is enough…in our reflection time today, I spoke about the word abide. We are told that if we abide in Jesus, Jesus will abide in us. I found this to be comforting. It served to remind me that this is not all dependent upon me, my supervisors, or even the strikers. Whatever the motivation we come to this journey with, I find comfort in remembering that this is not about me- and that I am able to be in solidarity with my brothers and sisters.
So, I sense that God is everywhere. I see God in the community here. I see God shining through imperfection. I see God present in others.
When the opposite happens
I had started this summer with expectation. There were things I knew I should, could and would do and I had expected certain outcomes. Well, let me just say quite the opposite is what happened. I love my job – that part I’m insanely grateful for. I work for this fabulous lady who has all her heart in what she does, and in all the right places. We do really great work and I meet a lot of workers with really fascinating stories which touch my very core. Well… I guess no need to say much about my work – I’m loving it!
What seem to have gone in the opposite direction are all the other things I had planned…for myself. I “lost” my laptop making it impossible for me to blog. Living in downtown Detroit with no public transportation can get a bit lonely to say the least and the inability to cook does have its down sides.
Something very interesting happened to me this last weekend ( this I’ll talk about in a later blog) and Alhamdulilah, I think it has thought me a priceless lesson – Life can sometimes be the opposite of what we had expected, what makes some people special is the way they respond to the outcomes.
To start off my own personal response to what life has handed me this summer, I’ll attempt to blog at least every other day – Insha Allah ( I’m learning why IWJ came up with this idea ). And then…well… why don’t I take it one step at a time...
What seem to have gone in the opposite direction are all the other things I had planned…for myself. I “lost” my laptop making it impossible for me to blog. Living in downtown Detroit with no public transportation can get a bit lonely to say the least and the inability to cook does have its down sides.
Something very interesting happened to me this last weekend ( this I’ll talk about in a later blog) and Alhamdulilah, I think it has thought me a priceless lesson – Life can sometimes be the opposite of what we had expected, what makes some people special is the way they respond to the outcomes.
To start off my own personal response to what life has handed me this summer, I’ll attempt to blog at least every other day – Insha Allah ( I’m learning why IWJ came up with this idea ). And then…well… why don’t I take it one step at a time...
WAGE THEFT Congressional Briefing Photos
Below are some photos from the Wage Theft briefings in DC from July 7/8. More coming...
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Justice a Partisan Issue?
I arrived in Washington, DC yesterday afternoon. I am here to document the Congressional briefings on wage theft which will take place Monday and Tuesday. I flew here by myself, early, because I have never been to D.C. and I wanted to check things out. I arrived late yesterday afternoon and decided to try to find a good place to watch fireworks. After stopping by the White House, I continued on in the direction of the Washington Monument because I figured I would be able to see the show from there. On my way, I saw a bunch of important looking people waiting to be let into the south lawn of the White House to watch the fireworks from there. All the people waiting were Bush appointees and friends of Bush appointees - only specific people were invited (I'm sure Bush didn't want to get heckled again - especially not on his own lawn). As I was casually glancing at the crowd, I recognized a girl I knew from college who I haven't seen or spoken to in over 2 years. She was with her boyfriend who works at the Pentagon and her boyfriend's friend who works for the Dept. of Commerce. I explained that I was alone and just sort of wandering around. Without knowing my politics, they quickly offered me an extra ticket for a girl who couldn't make it. So I got in and watched the fireworks with the White House a few feet away and the Washington Monument in sight. The President and his buds even came out onto the White House balcony to say hello and enjoy the view. It was quite an amazing night and totally unexpected.
So I kept my politics quiet and had intended to for the duration of the evening as I was so grateful to be invited to such an awesome event. My plan was not to fake anything - just not to bring anything political up so I wouldn't have to lie about anything. When one of the guys asked me why I was in D.C. and what organization my internship was for, my cover was automatically blown. He just looked at me and sort of laughed as I completely disclosed my politics by simply saying "worker justice." How absolutely absurd is that? This guy was able to tell I have liberal and progressive politics because I believe in justice? Since when is justice a partisan issue? I brought this up to him - the absurdity. He laughed and said that they are "trained" to know a liberal organization when they see one. Trained. I did not realize I was working on partisan issues here for a partisan organization. I am sure they are also trained NOT to tell "liberal" organizers that they are trained, but the guy had two or three gin & tonics in him by that time. Unbelievable.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
We the People....
I was reading over the Preamble to the Constitution today, as I tend to do on the 4th of July. Now I admit, I'm one of those kids who gets real worked up over how important citizenship is and I can rant from hours on the connections between civic virtues and religious ones, but today the words really struck me.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
I think of how divided the country (and even my own life) can feel. And yet here at its core, what so many people have bled for and wept over, are simple powerful ideas of justice and peaceful country where the well being of others is lifted up and the gift of freedom is celebrated.
How often as people do we define ourselves as what we are not? How often do we point a finger, wrap ourselves in a flag (or and ideology) and scream at another claiming we are right and the only ones who deserve to claim this country for our own. I feel like I am constantly allowing myself to be polarized and pushed away from my neighbors.
"a more perfect Union" - There's so much power and promise for who we can become as a nation, who we must always continue to struggle to become. As a Christian, the themes of the Gospel echo in my ears as I read the Preamble, begging me to "let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
So today, I hope, like me, you'll think about the treasure we could have in the real American dream - the one that so many of our brothers and sisters are continually struggling for today. Not of excessive wealth, cheaper gas, or name brand shoes, but of safe and clean neighborhoods, fair and honest wages, and the blessings of Liberty - the ability to live their lives and raise their voices without fear.
Happy 4th and God bless the United States of America as He continues to bless the World...
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
I think of how divided the country (and even my own life) can feel. And yet here at its core, what so many people have bled for and wept over, are simple powerful ideas of justice and peaceful country where the well being of others is lifted up and the gift of freedom is celebrated.
How often as people do we define ourselves as what we are not? How often do we point a finger, wrap ourselves in a flag (or and ideology) and scream at another claiming we are right and the only ones who deserve to claim this country for our own. I feel like I am constantly allowing myself to be polarized and pushed away from my neighbors.
"a more perfect Union" - There's so much power and promise for who we can become as a nation, who we must always continue to struggle to become. As a Christian, the themes of the Gospel echo in my ears as I read the Preamble, begging me to "let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
So today, I hope, like me, you'll think about the treasure we could have in the real American dream - the one that so many of our brothers and sisters are continually struggling for today. Not of excessive wealth, cheaper gas, or name brand shoes, but of safe and clean neighborhoods, fair and honest wages, and the blessings of Liberty - the ability to live their lives and raise their voices without fear.
Happy 4th and God bless the United States of America as He continues to bless the World...
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
How can I change the World?
I'll be one of the first to admit that I am not new to the idea of social justice but new to the implementation of my talents for social justice. Putting faith to practice is often times discouraging because that would mean changing everything about myself in order to call myself a person of faith. I fall into these ditches of self admonishment because I do not seem to ever fully be this perfect person of faith who puts all their faith in their practice. It frusrates me. It tears me apart. It drives me to be angry at myself and this is not just about social justice issues. After years of guilt and internal grief, it is hard to change. And why cannot change happen overnight or in one day? Is it that impossible, unreachable, unachievable? If I change only a small part of how I put faith to practice this summer, I will have changed the world, right?
By the way, the pic is entitled "My balloon buddy and I" - GO NOLA!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Justice...hmmm
POA to date…
Plan of Action-
So, my third week has begun, and there are new developments. I am being taken off delegations for the time being until the plan for the summer gets off the ground. The goal is to go into different parishes in the area and have them sign letters of intent asking the bishop to take a stance of non-hire to the companies that do not embody Catholic Social Teaching. I am pretty sad about the delegations aspect of the plan…I feel that I have had such a great opportunity to meet the workers, and to get to know them, and for them to get to know me.
As I continue to spend more time here in Phoenix, I continue to hear more wild stories about the current Sherriff here. He has begun a new campaign in which his officers and deputies are setting up blockades throughout the streets. It is very interesting how an attitude of fear can pervade throughout an entire county. I find this to be a bit frustrating. Why is one man allowed to reign terror on a community? The picture is found outside the county courthouse. I found it to be very ironic that the horse is standing on top of a book entitled “Justice”.
By the Way- my blog is:
http://www.deliberatepeace.blogspot.com
Check it out-leave a comment!
More PHOTOS
I have a few photos from our week they can be seen here,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29419856@N00/sets/72157605865515803/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29419856@N00/sets/72157605865515803/
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