IWJ Summer Student Programs

Come to Chicago for another Congress Hotel Rally!

2008-09-18T11:48:00.003-06:00

Every month, the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA) will be marching with workers from the Congress Hotel. If you're in Chicago (or near us), come this Sunday, Sept. 21st from 12-3. Send me an email at Julia@jcua.org if you're interested!

JCUA Marches with Congress Hotel Strikers during the Fighting Poverty with Faith Week of Action!

WHAT:
As part of the Fighting Poverty with Faith Week of Action, JCUA will be joining the picket line at the Congress Hotel on Sunday, September 21, 2008 from 1-3 pm.

Join us beforehand at JCUA from 12-1 pm for an interfaith text study on poverty and worker justice and a brief workshop on poverty and workers' rights.

WHEN:
Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008
12-1 pm - Interfaith text study & workshop on poverty and workers' rights
1-3 pm - March with Congress Hotel workers

COST:
FREE!
Please bring a bag lunch to the interfaith text study and workshop. Desserts will be provided.

WHERE:
Jewish Council on Urban Affairs
610 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60605

RSVP to Interfaith Text Study & Workshop:
michael@jcua.org

During the Fighting Poverty with Faith Week of Action, people of faith across the country will be mobilizing their communities to ask their local, state and national candidates what they will do to address the pressing issues of poverty and opportunity in America in their first 100 days in office.

In communities across the country, people of faith will be calling and writing the candidates, holding forums to discuss these issues with civic and political leadership, engaging in interfaith community service to aid those in need in their communities, and otherwise highlighting the need for increased leadership on these issues.

Poverty in American is a moral and urgent problem. This year, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs is hosting an interfaith text study and workshop on the connection between poverty and workers' rights in America. As we look across our country today, we see a nation where millions of people lack the basic necessities of life and where the futures of far too many young people are clouded by economic and social policies that have failed to promote a shared prosperity.

Our common scriptures present a vision of shared responsibility that commands that we leave the corners of our field for the poor and the stranger and mandates, "There Shall Be No Needy Among You" (Deuteronomy 15:4). Our common faith values call on us to respond.

Our task: Everyday faith organizations serve individuals in need within our communities. But our efforts to sustain our brothers and sisters living in poverty must be complemented with a serious plan from our political leaders to reduce the number of needy. By speaking out collectively during this week, we can spark a national conversation, and create a mandate for the officials elected this year to aggressively pursue a poverty-reduction agenda.

By acting during this time, you can be a part of a national interfaith movement to build the political and public will to address poverty in America.

Join Us! For more information visit: www.fightingpovertywithfaith.com and www.jcua.org. You can find resources on how to participate and locate events near you!

Contact Michael Deheeger at (312) 663-0960 or michael@jcua.org for more information.

EFCA

2008-09-13T19:04:00.006-06:00

http://www.freechoiceact.org/page/s/yournewjob?source=bnf0908

The Law that Could Give Labor Some Brawn -- Moira Herbst, Business Week
Happy Labor Day. Drop Dead. -- Thomas Frank, Wall Street Journal
Wal-Mart Warns of Democratic Win -- Kris Maher, Wall Street Journal
Inside the Mind of Union Busters -- Art Levine, Today's Workplace Blog
Wal-Mart's Desperate War Against Unionization -- ZP Heller, Brave New Films
Employee Free Choice Act Summary -- American Rights at Work
In Fight Over Law Securing Workers' Right to Organize, Corporations Bill Themselves as Underdogs -- David Sirota, AlterNet

Everything Comes to an End

2008-08-17T10:06:00.003-06:00

Video: Dania Speaking at a Mosque

2008-08-08T13:16:00.003-06:00

An excerpt of Dania's presentation at a mosque in Bridgeview - beautiful!

Prayer for Workers

2008-08-05T11:28:00.003-06:00

I was asked to compose a prayer (initially as a bit of a joke I think...) but, I decided to go ahead and write one. It specifically is from a Christian tradition, but wouldn't take much to make adjustments...

God of Humanity,
You make us ever mindful of the need for creative expression in our work and our lives. Continue to form our understanding of creative labor. Transform the minds and hearts of those who guide our trainings for safe labor practices. Enable those who we encounter on a daily basis to be open to hearing of the challenges we your children are facing. Remind us of our own responsibility to speak against the injustices done to your people-the Body of Christ here on earth. Help us, as we continue to struggle for the dignity and worth of all your children. We ask this in your name, through the redemption of Jesus Christ your son, and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Actually...

2008-08-01T19:09:00.000-06:00

I lied about the Postville pics. They'll be up on Flickr momentarily. Meanwhile, most of them are posted on Facebook, witty commentary included.

Enjoy!

Obama Stands Up To Wage Theft

2008-07-30T13:42:00.001-06:00

Click above image for Progress Illinois article

Link to pictures

2008-07-28T20:07:00.002-06:00

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.

Photos from Postville, IA Rally

2008-07-28T13:37:00.005-06:00

Additional photos on Flickr

New York Times: Iowa Rally Protests Raid and Conditions at Plant

Notes from a Retreat

2008-07-28T13:37:00.001-06:00

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

Agitation

2008-07-26T15:50:00.002-06:00

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?

More Pictures

2008-07-24T10:21:00.003-06:00

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

White people like (unpaid) internships

2008-07-21T18:17:00.003-06:00

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.

The Reluctant Strike Captain: Part I

2008-07-18T21:54:00.008-06:00

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.

Pictures continued...

2008-07-18T10:55:00.001-06:00

Shots from a recent action...

2008-07-18T10:29:00.003-06:00

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.

Become a Fan of IWJ!

2008-07-17T14:50:00.002-06:00

Click here to become a Facebook Fan of IWJ!

Blog feeds, photos, and current information can all be found here . I encourage you all to upload photos, videos, discussion posts, and comments as well. We love to hear how your summer is going.

Keep up the great work!

Dania Speaking at Teamster Rally

2008-07-17T14:35:00.002-06:00

Check out Dania speaking at the Teamster 743 Rally!

Law of attraction

2008-07-17T09:15:00.002-06:00

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)

Kim Bobo on YouTube

2008-07-16T14:29:00.001-06:00

Wage Theft testimony 7/15/08:

Seeing the good in people

2008-07-15T22:09:00.002-06:00

“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.

God is...

2008-07-10T16:53:00.005-06:00

“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

2008-07-10T14:53:00.000-06:00

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...

WAGE THEFT Congressional Briefing Photos

2008-07-10T13:52:00.007-06:00

Below are some photos from the Wage Theft briefings in DC from July 7/8. More coming...

Justice a Partisan Issue?

2008-07-06T01:20:00.002-06:00

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.

We the People....

2008-07-05T00:46:00.002-06:00

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...

How can I change the World?

2008-07-02T12:09:00.003-06:00

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!

Justice...hmmm

2008-07-01T21:44:00.006-06:00

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

2008-07-01T12:06:00.000-06:00

I have a few photos from our week they can be seen here,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29419856@N00/sets/72157605865515803/

Talking in front of the MTA Board!!

2008-06-27T21:04:00.002-06:00

So the most interesting thing happened yesterday. I am working on the food-service campaign and we went to talk in front of the LA Metro board to try and get them to be neutral in Aramark negotiations. We planned on having a local faith leader speak on behalf of the community, but because of difficulties with timing, she was unable to stay. I chose to wear my collar yesterday because I am wearing in instances where I think it would be beneficial and yesterday was my first time that I wore it during this internship. Through a series of instances it was determined that I would speak!! Needless to say I was a nervous wreck before hand. All I had to do was read from our talking points, but still was freaking me out. I tried to reach my bestest friend to pray before hand, but he was unavailable. When they called my name to speak, I almost peed my pants. I got up to the podium, my knees were shaking! I read my piece and surprisingly I got through it. I was able to read effectively and hopefully i got my point across. When I was done, it was such a sense of relief.

We were told during training that we shouldn't be the one's to be the face of the movement, but are to be the people behind the scenes, but here I was at one of my first actions, speaking before a board. I was happy to do it, but could definatley say that it was out of my comfort zone, but not in an area that was completely inacessible. I think I grew a little. I have always been hesitiant to think that I have what it takes to be effective, but when pushed I can do things that I didn't think I could do. That is the power of the spirit in my life. We;ll what the rest of the summer brings.

American Citizens Deported!

2008-06-25T12:46:00.002-06:00

On June the 24th a group of us here at CLUELA attended the ICE Commission hearings where workers and supporteds reported on atrocities committed in the name of national security.

The worse story was a younfg man whose brother who suffers from disabilities who was arrested for a misdemeanor. After his 3 months were up he was deported. His brother had gone to pick him up and he was gone.

When approached on this subject the goverment continued to deny that they would deport a us citizen.

Long story short it took 3 months to find his brother who had been living on the streets of Tijuana alone a frightened.

this was one of many stories told over a five hour hearing.

Triumph in Failure

2008-06-23T18:57:00.008-06:00

I had my first visit with a pastor yesterday in Grant Park. Kelly Fryer heads a church (Christ the King Lutheran Church - www.chicagolooplutherans.com) of only about 20 members, with no assets, no building, no long-range plans, no Christmas decorations with blonde-haired baby Jesuses, no bell-choir. Though raining, they insisted on having their service (capped by an animal blessing) outdoors, with wet hymn books, bulletins, and fogged-up eye-glasses. But oh, would it that all churches could be so bathed in Spirit they were! Not only was the pastor interested in helping out IWJ but so were many others in the congregation. The secretary, a smiley woman named Sandra, had actually TALKING to people in the days leading up to the service saying how excited she was that I was coming that day to talk about how they might get involved with our mission. And I even got a hug and a cup-cake for coming.

Then, on the bus back, I saw the strikers going round and round the front of the Congress Hotel. The Spirit said 'Get off' and I did. I sent a text to my girlfriend saying I'd be home late, said 'hi' to the co-ordinator, grabbed a picket sign, and joined the fray, full of memories the 1000+ people who'd mobbed the place the week before and another satisfying round I marched this past Friday. But today was different.

Nobody wanted to shout. Nobody wanted to sing. Even the picketer who Friday had blown his police whistle so loud it cracked the concrete vases didn't want to bother today. Making it worse, the exit way was crowded with up to 10 - 20 angry guests checking-out and checking-in - cars almost running into the picketers a few times. One man, surpassing his fatness only by his arrogance, even shouted at a group of three picketers:

'If you lazy m0therf-rs would get off your asses and get real jobs you wouldn't have any money problems to begin with!!'

Though the man easily equaled all three of them in weight and size they quickly ganged up on him, surrounding him, and started shouting him down with whatever English they knew, shaking their arms and fists and signs until he took refuge - hmm - behind his wife. The couple then shuffled off to the street, where they eventually fled via taxi.

The subsequent rise in the blood felt good, but within a few minutes the old lethargy came back. One picketer kept talking on the phone the entire time he marched, another only talked about how she wanted me to get water for them, and the others looked little more than apathetic - the only upside being the 6 hours of strike pay they would get from the union. There was no energy, no optimism, no happy chatter and laughing. Just the sad truth that so many have worked so long and so hard but with no result.

Yet they keep coming, every day, Monday - Sunday, from 6 am to 9 pm. Without fail, even though the strike - after five long years - has yet to bring about any change in working conditions or wages for any of them and has, in essence, failed. So why bother?

At a conference Arundati Roy spoke once spoke about people who strive for dreams 'in which failure is feasible, honorable, sometimes even worth striving for'...

'There are plenty of warriors that I know and love, people far more valuable than myself, who go to war each day knowing in advance that they will fail. True they are less successful, in the most vulgar sense of the word, but by no means less fulfilled. The only dream worth having... is to dream that you will live while you're alive, and die only when you're dead.'

And that's what I saw this day. For all their fatigue, frustration, uncertainty, they will never quit - even if it is only indifference and inertia that keeps their steps from becoming too heavy and painful, even if deep down they really don't care anymore. They are alive, and they aren't giving up. Ever.

It was a good day.

Hijab, Feminism, & Interfaith Dialogue

2008-06-23T14:27:00.001-06:00

Dania is an intern with me in Chicago - she works on the floor below me at Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues while I work upstairs at the National IWJ office. She's the beautiful French-Canadian Muslim, veil-wearing girl who frequently stated throughout orientation week how fascinating she thinks America is.

During orientation week, I had several enlightening conversations with her. Even though she is a practicing Muslim and I am currently ambivalent about my faith, through speaking with each other, we discovered we have many of the same beliefs and ideas. Through these conversations, we both realized we were reading the same book - Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose." The book describes, "how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also the key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world," (Amazon Review).

Before speaking with Dania, I cannot recall having an actual conversation with a practicing Muslim. I consider myself very in tune with feminist ideals and I could never wrap my mind around the idea of wearing a veil and staying entirely covered-up in front of men. This practice seemed strange to me and I felt it rather sexist. But by talking to Dania and being prompted to look into the ideas behind wearing the veil, I've come to new conclusions. Now, I can draw parallels between the wearing of the veil to particular feminist movements when women demanded to be taken seriously not because of their feminine beauty and external looks, but because of their thoughts and ideas. Additionally, so much of superficial culture is in effort to define one's identity through clothing - "this is my style," "this is who I am because this is how I dress," when in actuality, no matter how unique your fashion is, it can clearly never come close to defining anything real.

Hijab on Wikipedia
Islam & Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth (Message Board)

The American Dream

2008-06-23T14:24:00.009-06:00

I don't believe in it. As I walk down Chicago's streets I try finding this satisfactory smile that would be labeled as "The American Dream". But I haven't - neither from the poor or the rich.

I don't believe in your nation's dream because it revolves around materialism. It'll only convince you to pursue more and more and hey more again. The dream never takes shape because it is a dream and you are reality.

That's one thing I wish IWJ would have talked about. You can't be two persons. You can't fight for the rights of workers and then contribute to the system that puts them down, in whatever subtle action it may be. Bravo IWJ you did select the Retreat center instead of North Park, but it doesn't stop there.

Similarly to those that wear shirts with Che's face on it. Are you mad? If you knew anything about him, you'd know that's the last thing he'd want you to do. In order to support "la revolucion" you can't contribute to the system (i.e. the big manufacturer that tries to break it down). They're putting your ideology on a shirt, but they're getting your money in return and using it for their own profit. And so you never had a revolution, you had a counter revolution. It was in your mind and was signed on a shirt....but it stayed there.

That is where religion is important. It'll teach you the greatest of all revolutions and greatest of all liberations.

The interfaith part of IWJ makes no sense if it's there to speak about how religion restores "moral ethic" such as thou shall not kill, or speak ill, or abuse of others. Those are natural laws, not religious ones. Whether you're a monk, an atheist, agnostic, part of faith tradition or not, you comprehend those because it's part of your fitrah (natural and pure state as a human). That's part of being a human - not a religious person. It is your humanity that's being called upon.

On the other hand, being a religious person means you take the route to meeting your Lord. You become prophetic, not just human, but prophetic. You are beauty because of the struggle ( or jihad, yes my friends, jihad) against your nafs (yourself, your ego), which is the greatest of Jihads.

Religions will teach you more than natural laws, they'll teach how you shouldn't be a consumer, a materialistic person, how to contain your lowly urges. This is the true revolution. This is the one that liberates you and I and workers, and not only a picket line. Your fight for them starts with the fight against the lowest part of you. It starts with you and not only by attacking CEO's. This is where the interfaith part is adequate because all religions teaches us the highest of all spiritual liberations.

It starts and ends with you.

This is your revolution for you and him and her and us.

Your Story is Important

2008-06-23T07:38:00.001-06:00

At the end of the IWJ internship training we participated in the fifth anniversary of the Congress Hotel strike. Unite Here Local 1 reached an agreement with the rest of the Chicago downtown hotels for a living wage and other much needed benefits for employees five years ago. The owner of the Congress pulled out of negotiations saying that because it was one humble family owning the hotel....read more

The Privilege to be Guilty

2008-06-22T21:42:00.002-06:00

Today, I had a bit of a crisis.

I guess that's not quite an accurate statement, as these thoughts have flown in and out of my consciousness since I was ten and realized that I, unlike some of my downtown-dwelling friends, lived in a nice, safe suburb.

This is my life. I've led a life of privilege. I have no memories of my family struggling to pay bills, no recollection of struggling to put food on the table, no inkling of what it's like to be in any kind of financial crisis. But this privilege goes beyond money.

I am white, heterosexual, and Catholic. According to society, I am at the perfect socio-economic level, somewhere between poverty and gross riches. Yes, I pay for my groceries on an intern's salary. But, if I don't have enough money, my parents will graciously foot the bill. I have a car and a cell phone, a laptop, and a $40,000 a year education. And I am often disgusted by all of these things, although I've never had the courage to give them up.

These thoughts began today at the grocery store where I think I experienced something some of my peers would refer to as "reverse racism." I say this with caution. I am many things besides "white." But, in the very short encounter with little time or information to draw from, this is how I experienced it.

I was in a line with an African American cashier, sandwiched in between two African American mothers, kids in tow. As I loaded the week's food onto the belt, I overheard snippets of a conversation about financial struggles. The topics were normal, price of gas, price of food, price of gas and food compared to price of car insurance, etc. The two people didn't seem to know each other especially well, but, for some reason, their conversation cheered me. I'm a true lover of people, of conversations, of reaching into unfamiliar territory and finding a friend. Goodbyes. My turn.

I stepped up to slide my Debit card and greet the cashier. I smiled and said hello. We exchanged pleasantries, and I prepared myself for an ensuing conversation. Nothing. Was it my food? My sweatshirt, proudly displaying the name of my pretentious (yes, I need to find a good synonym) college? My demeanor? Any of the other thousand indicators in my appearance that indicate who I am and present myself to be?

I felt somewhat discouraged. I moved down to bag my own groceries, as the cashier began a lengthy conversation with the woman behind me.

I walked out, experiencing some strong feeling between anger and frustration. Why can't we have a conversation about how much gas costs? Why can't you complain to me about alternative energy plans? I have a voice, too.

Again, I can't say it was a race thing. Maybe it was ageism. Or any other number of things, but as I obsessed over the situation, I was covered in an overwhelming sense of guilt.

Who am I to complain about the state of the economy? My family is financially secure. I have health care, an environmentally friendly car that runs on little gas and a credit card to back me up whenever I reach a financial crisis (which has never happened). And I don't deserve any of it. I was born into it.

This entire internship experience has been about re-examining my default understandings. Even as I type this, I analyze my thoughts and words for prejudice, for stereotypes, for bias. I work to uncover and unpack my notions of the world. And I hope to be able to see things from the perspectives of everyone else, of anyone else, of all else.

But the fact of the matter is, I have it good. And I guess this summer will be about finding out what I can use it for.

Until then, the guilt sits and the frustration lingers. I type on my laptop (paid for by Mom and Dad), listen to Liszt (which I was taught to appreciate during my 17-year long trek in music studies) and sleep at night, having confidence that tomorrow will not be a crisis in health, finances, employment, or any of the other countless things that so many of my brothers and sisters face.

So, I pray for my eyes to widen, for my ears to open, for my heart to expand. And I do so with the hope that, despite all of these labels, I am first and foremost human.

Demanding Change!

2008-06-19T18:14:00.002-06:00

Gathered together,
strong, weathered, tired and tried.
Listening to lies,
Challenging the ties,
Not being bound,
destined to be found.

The truth is buried,
Crying to be uncovered.
Colors are struggling,
Screaming, "We are one!"

Put away your guns,
We will not be done!

Intimidation tactics,
just some childish antics.

Cries for peace will always be answered.

Today, along with about 400 members of the Phoenix community we gathered to demand a change in the tactics of Sheriff Joseph Arpaio. Many of the faith community gathered, community and labor organizers. It was a brave turnout since this "man" arrests people, makes the men wear pink underwear in an attempt to emmasculate them. They are handcuffed in pink handcuffs. Some are taken to the desert and housed in tents! This outrageous behavior has been allowed by the city government for too long! Citizens are demanding change! I encourage you to be informed about the injustices in Maricopa County.

Peace and Justice to all!

we object on the part of the awakening workers of this nation...

2008-06-18T19:03:00.001-06:00

They have always taught and trained you to believe it to be your patriotic duty to go to war and to have yourselves slaughtered at their command. But in all the history of the world you, the people, have never had a voice in declaring war, and strange as it certainly appears, no war by any nation in any age has ever been declared by the people.

And here let me emphasize the fact-and it cannot be repeated too often-that the working class who fight all the battles, the working class who make the supreme sacrifices, the working class who freely shed their blood and furnish the corpses, have never yet had a voice in either declaring war or making peace. It is the ruling class that invariably does both. They alone declare war and they alone make peace.

Yours not to reason why;
Yours but to do and die.

That is their motto and we object on the part of the awakening workers of this nation.

If war is right let it be declared by the people.

-Eugene Debs 1918

Riddle

2008-06-18T15:39:00.003-06:00

A man is talking to God.
The man: "God, how long is a million years?"
God: "To me, it's about a minute."
The man: "God, how much is a million dollars?"
God: "To me it's a penny."
The man: "God, may I have a penny?"
God: "Wait a minute."

Question: What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but not once in a thousand years?

I am the People, the Mob...

2008-06-18T09:11:00.000-06:00

I Am The People, The Mob
Carl Sandburg

I am the people--the mob--the crowd--the mass.
Do you know that all the great work of the world is
done through me?

I am the workingman, the inventor, the maker of the
world's food and clothes.

I am the audience that witnesses history. The Napoleons
come from me and the Lincolns. They die. And
then I send forth more Napoleons and Lincolns.

I am the seed ground. I am a prairie that will stand
for much plowing. Terrible storms pass over me.
I forget. The best of me is sucked out and wasted.
I forget. Everything but Death comes to me and
makes me work and give up what I have. And I
forget.

Sometimes I growl, shake myself and spatter a few red
drops for history to remember. Then--I forget.

When I, the People, learn to remember, when I, the
People, use the lessons of yesterday and no longer
forget who robbed me last year, who played me for
a fool--then there will be no speaker in all the world
say the name: "The People," with any fleck of a
sneer in his voice or any far-off smile of derision.
The mob--the crowd--the mass--will arrive then.

-Francisco

New

2008-06-18T09:10:00.000-06:00

New beginnings are like mornings: peaceful with the promise of more later. These days they’re cool and light, even early in the day.

I find myself savoring these moments. I know things will be rushed later in the summer, and inevitable deadlines and dilemmas will challenge me. But after the press of a semester’s end and what felt like non-stop student-dom day in and out, this time of new relationships and places, new information and procedure, new grace to goof up and learn is a change and a blessing.

-Cheryl

Long Rows of Solitude Lead to a New Beginning

2008-06-18T09:09:00.000-06:00

An experience that has lead me to where I am happened when I was fifteen years old and was working amongst undocumented workers in corn fields, onion fields, and orchards. This experience helped me understand the condition of workers. At first, each row I walked through felt like a long journey of solitude, but then as my coworkers (mostly male) helped me I felt I was making progress. They cared for me, even though I had done nothing to deserve it. They taught me that all workers should be treated with dignity and respect no matter who they are or where they come from. We sometimes worked 16 hour days and it was very difficult me. However, I was fortunate to have been there by choice instead of by obligation or need. Some workers could not find another job. No matter what their skills were they had no choice but to work there in order to provide for their children. I admire those workers and I am so glad to have experienced this with them.My journey to this point in my life has been wonderful, I am a Junior at Seattle University majoring in Theology and Religious Studies. I feel called in this direction because I know that one’s faith has the power to transform one, it also motivates and influences one more than almost anything else. As I am growing, I am learning that we as humans are called to believe in God for many different reasons. I find refuge in God, with God’s help I have learned how to love more passionately and to accept the love that is given to me. I have also been inspired to do acts of mercy. This summer I am hoping to come to a better understanding of what God wants me to do. I know that I need to pray a little more and ask for help in order to find my true path. I am willing to explore many paths but I know that this exploration will lead me down a row that may be filled with solitude like the corn rows I worked in. However, sometimes those are the best rows because they give you time to reflect and gather your thoughts and when you least expect it someone joins you and is ready to help you get to the end. I hope that the people around me see the difficulty of “my row” and decide to come along for the journey. And when we reach the end there will be water waiting for us, which to me represents a new beginning, a baptism, a new life with God… We need this in our society and I have faith that it will be accomplished.

-Ydalia

I'm an angry man.

2008-06-18T09:08:00.000-06:00

I'm serious.

I'm an angry man.

I can thank the Evangelical Lutheran Church for this revelation, confirmed by a personality battery I took about two years ago. It said had problems expressing anger and that I would often try to avoid confrontation if it threatened my sense of personal well-being. Well, they were quite right. But it had more to do than with me being timid, and more with me just getting tired of offending people. Explanation...

I am NOT a quiet soul. I had a habit of stepping, unintentionally, on people's toes and feelings and views because of my unbridled exuberence and joy. Was I arrogant? Well, yeah, a bit. But I also had strong feelings and convictions and when you're trying to actually DO something, well, you have to DO something which means getting the attention of anyone who is doing something else or is doing nothing. Consequently you're easy to see, easy to target, and easy to criticize. I did learn a lot about the importance of listening, of giving others their space, and respecting boundaries in ways that give people room to feel safe, breathe, and grow. It was good.

But that's not why I got shy of confronting people.

I got shy because everytime I'd try worship ideas I'd get some status quo church crony up in arms that I didn't follow the script. Or I'd mention a word like 'beer' when talking to church people and I'd be labeled as a 'risk for our youth'. After years of hearing that kinda swill you just sorta clam up.

But I'm done now. DONE.

My pastor in Geneva, Lusmarina Campos Garcia (www.genevalutheran.ch) helped me to acknowledge and accept my radical nature. I had to accept it. Denying it was making me neurotic and touchy - much like those who were oh-so eager to rub my nose in my own crap while ignoring the mountainous PILES they squeezed through their backsides day-in and day-out. And since, this frustration, this heat, I now know as a pure and brilliant anger - a righteous anger.

-Francisco

Other Blogs?

2008-06-18T09:07:00.001-06:00

Here is a link to my personal blog that I just started. It's not that great yet, but maybe it will help with ideas.

If anyone else has blogs or blogs that they are a fan of - post them!

-Alex

Welcome!

2008-06-18T09:05:00.002-06:00

Welcome to the IWJ Summer Student Programs Blog! I hope that everyones' first week is going well. The goal of this blog is to keep in touch throughout the summer, to keep each other updated, to inspire each other throughout the summer, and to keep everyone informed about events and workers' stories. Feel free to post any photos you took during orientation week, and photos you take throughout the summer. Social justice-related videos, articles, and stories are also great things to post! Here I've posted a mosaic I created of some photos I took during orientation week - more can be seen at our IWJ FlickR page where everyone else can feel free to post photos as well. Good luck and stay in touch!

-Alex

low wages mean deciding between impossible trade off's: paying this month's health care bill vs. rent bill

2007-08-13T14:48:00.001-06:00

Workers and Chicago religious leaders had a chance to sit down together at the AFSCME union office on August 1 for an informal dinner, where the faith leaders could learn about the reality for low wage workers in patient support at Resurrection Hospitals, now the second largest chain in Chicago, as you may recall from our action together in June. The corporation seems to be headed in the opposite direction from its Catholic mission at the moment, and so faith leaders are stepping up to help workers put the pressure on the hospital, such that they can get a union and advocate for what they deserve, without fear of losing their jobs.

When these workers from the laundry, housekeeping and food service departments at these various Chicago hospitals in the Resurrection chain, came together- they found that their experiences were validated by each other in the accompanying branches. These workers might not have met up with each other, if not for the union helping to bring them together, with the goal of getting the managers at the hospital to engage in a dialogue with workers. As workers from all of these various branches of the system compared notes- the emerging threads exposed very similar kinds of injustices- as system-wide ones at Resurrection.

Parents reported that they were burdeoned with the costs associated with the 'in house' health insurance plan offered by Resurrection. They have co-pays for each child at every doctor visit. They have to pay 20% of the costs of any medical care. They already pay $230 out of each pay period- just to receive the Resurrection insurance. This is toally not working for these folks who are getting $9/hour.

The comparison to the salary for a CEO of a Resurrection branch hospital is $500 an hour. The interfaith religious leaders who attended the dinner and listened to the issues the workers are facing, became alarmed. One pastor from the United Church of Christ, Rev. Randall Doubet-King stated, 'Every one of the workers in this room, making these low wages at Resurrection, would without a doubt technically fall below the poverty line, according to the latest report from the Hearltand Alliance that studies basic needs, living wages, and base standards of living in Chicago." The meeting included an analysis by the union of just how far short the wages are for workers at Resurrection. Using self-sufficiency standards of the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago, even the highest rate on Resurrection's wage scale for patient support staff, is too low to support even the smallest of families in the Chicago area, such as for a single parent of one school-age child. This exposes the inadequacy of Resurrection's latest move to try to appear to be increasing wages.

Resurrection recently announced that all patient support workers will start at $9/hour (up from $8.50) and will be capped at $13. 50/hr. The increases per year will be about 3%. We learned that miniscule increases can not begin to bring people to a living wage. We heard from one man who has worked for 27 years in patient support at Resurrection's St. Francis hospital, and his bit by bit gradual pay increases over nearly three decades now, mean that he is still not even making $13.50/hr. yet!

The meeting garnered energy among both workers and clergy for a next event to be a public prayer vigil at one of the hospitals. Full time workers providing support to our loved ones who have to go in to a Chicago hospital-- should not have to decide between paying their own health care versus paying the rent. When worker testimonies speak- they mobilize us all. Will post news from our vigil too...

Communication is Vital!!!

2007-08-11T17:55:00.000-06:00

Hello Peace People,

It's been a long time - sorry for that. Let's just say that it's been a long/short crazy trip of an experience here in Tejas. Wow, this has all has definitely been interesting. So now, more than ever I am realizing and reinforcing my belief that communication is so vital and crucial. However, in this continuing realization, it's really hard and complicated to communicate with people at times, especially when so much is or can be attached. In the process of communicating we try to find that common ground, that middle page. Finally, I think I am coming to understand that here, but it is definitely difficult and needless to say, a struggle. All in all I wish I had more words for you all now, but I have simply been trying to find the words for myself and process it all. There was a full breakdown of communication, but now is the time to clarify, move on, let go, and keep focused and passionate in this struggle of creating and maintaining a better society, a better world for us all! Thankfully, even when empowering environments are limited or even seem to be, we can still acknowledge and appreciate our similarities, our differences for no one, nothing can strip us of our human connection. We may do things differently, communicate in various ways, but for me, I believe in and appreciate the truth that even with such, we are still doing - we are still active and that's what counts and matters. There is no single, let alone right path, but at least we can walk it (even talk through it) together if we allow ourselves to do so!

2007-08-11T12:05:00.000-06:00

Last Tuesday I was fortunate enough to attend a presidential debate at Soldier Field (This is the same one mentioned in the previous entry by Beau). It was for union members and their families only. The focus was "Working Families" and each of the Democratic candidates were present: Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Kucinich, Obama, and Richardson. I was looking forward to going, but I wasn't overly excited. Once I got there though I realized how awesome it was that I was there. I've seen debates on TV but never in person. It was great to be right there where the action was. Unfortunately it was 8000 degrees out, but we survived! There were 17,000 people in attendance - imagine that energy! Some pics from my cell phone:

This is one from before it started with all the candidates up front. I haven't been a huge Hilary fan, but I must admit it was pretty fabulous to see a woman up there! Maybe that will be me someday?!

Here's a pic of Barack Obama on the big screen...

And Kucinich...

If you'd like to watch the debate online or read an article about it, click here....

Walking Home from the Presidential Debate

2007-08-08T09:04:00.000-06:00

Last night the AFL-CIO sponsored a Presidential Forum here in Chicago. 15,000 union members and their families watched 7 presidential hopefuls discuss issues important to working families. When I signed up for this internship, I never expected having the opportunity to walk a picket line with two (and counting!) candidates or attending an actual debate. For a political junkie like myself, these added perks have really added to this experience.

While I will resist the temptation to offer my own thoughts, insights, and analysis of the debate and the 2008 race, perhaps the most profound experience of the whole evening occurred on the walk home. Walking back to the office after grabbing dinner, several of the organizers and myself passed one of the hotels represented by Local 1. One of the doormen came out of the hotel because a customer was arriving and, noticing all of us in our UNITE-HERE t-shirts, proudly proclaimed "We're UNITE-HERE!" and then gave one of the organizers a fist-five (is that what you call a high-five with fists?). The moment was completely spontaneous and seeing the genuine pride he held from being part of the union completely made my day, presidential debate and all.

no picket line for us!

2007-08-05T19:00:00.000-06:00

Last couple of says, we have been busy, not with actions, but with the educational materials we have been developing for the religious community in Phoenix area. We have been having interviews with community leaders and a curriculum coordinator. Finally we decided to come up with a study guide for the religious community. We have been writing papers on the common themes that came up from the interviews and meetings.

John Edwards walks the picket line

2007-08-04T15:37:00.001-06:00

Today at the Congress Hotel Picket line Senator (and presidential candidate) John Edwards stopped by. Granted, he only stayed about 10 minutes and only walked around a few times, but it's still good for these candidates to stop by. It gives the strike more publicity, and it's important for these influential people to show their support. We had a great time making some noise and there were probably about 100 people there. Barack Obama came a couple weeks ago (unfortunately I missed it) and I heard he stayed a bit longer than Edwards. Here's a picture of Edwards during his mini-speech (taken on my cell so not the greatest quality)....and don't forget to tell all your friends if they come to Chicago to NOT stay at the Congress!!! http://www.congresshotelstrike.info/

Wind in my sail

2007-08-02T20:11:00.000-06:00

I would like to second the importance of momentum especially in the organizing area. My spirit always gets re-energized when I find people in the community who will take the initiative to work for justice and build community. Each day this week I have met people who have been excited about the creation of the worker center that they will make presentations and pass out flyers on behalf of the center!

The humidity has had the ability to reduce the spirit and to just focus the needs of my own self-interest. Instead the will of God is not letting me quit earlier or take things at a comfortable pace. I have to remember that every little positive relationship that has been built is a victory for the center because this expands our network of members within the community.

Inspiration

2007-08-02T18:55:00.000-06:00

Today I watched as one of the key leaders (ie. food service worker) practically led a meeting all by himself. It was amazing to watch how far he had come. I remember meeting him just 4 weeks ago and he said he didn't think he'd have too much time to meet with clergy with us, but that he'd try. Try he has! He is a strong leader, and an excellent speaker. He spoke about food service workers much better than I could have and definitely gave me inspiration as we keep on meeting with more and more clergy for endorsements. In just 3 weeks we have nearly 40! Meaning we will definitely surpass our goal for the summer of 50. Yay!

Back in the proverbial "saddle"

2007-08-01T23:16:00.000-06:00

Texas in July is best described as "miserably hot." I know this because my denomination's General Assembly took place last week, so I got a week long break from the internship to enjoy Texas in July. Needless to say, I find amazing truth in the Genesis passage that reads, "When in Texas during July, God created air-conditioning and called it Good." The downside of such a break (besides the heat...) was a disruption in my work with the union. Much of the momentum I had built up over the last several weeks dissipated because of the break and the last few days has been a concerted effort of getting caught up on the status of various campaigns and remembering where I was in my own work before my Texas vacation.

This experience powerfully demonstrates the importance of momentum to any movement in general and to community organizing in particular. Success and rewarding experiences on the job accumulate into powerful positive forces that drive your work and push you forward. One is often unaware of the role momentum plays in one's drive, but becomes acutely aware once the momentum is lost. The task now is to catch it again and continue to move forward. Thankfully, Saturday brings another presidential candidate to town and the opportunity to once again get behind the bullhorn!

Unions. Love them, hate them.

2007-07-26T20:33:00.000-06:00

Despite how glorious it was to hear the mission of organized labor within the confines of Orientation at North Park University the practical realities of organized labor have personified the decline of organized labor in the workplace. The UFCW Local in rural Indiana has a tainted track record amongst their members at the Tyson meatpacking plant. When I tell them that the UFCW provided the initial funding and direction of the center workers begin becoming skeptical of the center.

For the last few years the workers at the Tyson meatpacking plant have complained about the lack of attention the union reps and stewards direct to their needs. Some will accuse that one of the reps works for Tyson rather than the union. Since I have arrived in Logansport, the breakdown in the relationship between the reps and the workers are a two-edge sword.

I read an article in the Social Policy magazine http://www.socialpolicy.org/ called "Overcoming Addition" 12 steps that labor unions need to do to overcome the corporate, power structure that they are organizing against to better the lives of its members. Reps and organizers have not been doing a good job at building leadership amongst their members and the members are expecting the union to do everything for them and not realizing that being a member of a union requires work on their behalf.

Many of the workers do not attend the meetings at the union halls and pay $25 a month for their dues without demanding anything in return and some workers can care less.

Even though the center is in its earliest phases I hope that it will be a place that the community and workers can develop leadership qualities can build positive, effective change and have them realize their own power.

dinner with workers and religious leaders is building toward public prayer vigil action

2007-07-26T12:47:00.001-06:00

I have had the honor this summer of working at a placement that on some levels may seem a bit dreamy: a labor union that has a staff person devoted to mobilizing community religious support for the workers at Resurrection Hospitals in Chicago who are trying to form their union. In other words, this is a union that has put a high value on the power of the voice of religous leaders-- to be of service to winning justice for workers. This AFSCME Local 31 has been an extraordinary place to jump in, to learn, to grow, and to contribute the strengths that I may bring, to their efforts already underway in harnessing the support of concerned people of faith- to help workers form a union, in support of improving their standard of living and working. I couldn't have imagined being more welcomed, resourced, supported, and nurtured in a summer internship, in a new 'culture'. I have had the pleasure of working alongside another intern, also placed here at AFSCME for the summer, who is from the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs. It has added a nice element of daily interfaith collaboration, as we learn together about each other's spheres... she as a rabbinical student preparing to be a cantor, and me in my Protestant United Church of Christ (UCC) circles, as I preparation for ordination to be a local parish minister in the UCC.

I want to offer one example of the ways that this site showed me that they were invested in a positive learning experience for their interns. They had stated, before I even got here, that they are invested in fostering future connections between faith leaders and labor movements- and they hoped that my internship might help plant seeds that will help more of us become allies over the long haul. So I was not entirely surprised, although I was wholly impressed, that my supervisor laid out a specific project for this summer, that she imagined would be 'do-able', from start (including planning, and mapping it out), to finish (involving executing it, and then evaluating it,) all within the (what is passing so quickly!) few weeks that we were interning.

Since many of you-- Seminary Summer and IWJ interns, plus IWJ staff, and IWJ national conference attenders, were the ones who helped launch a great start to our summer at AFSCME with your participation in the downtown Chicago action on June 19, 2007 at the Catholic Health Association (CHA) meeting, I am happy to give you an update on what has been happening since then. Even with hundreds of us picketing outside the CHA meeting, we have not received a response from Sr. Carol Keehan of the CHA, and so we have continued to support workers with next steps. We are building toward two exciting events coming up as part of a particular campaign addressing the issues of low wage workers at the nine different Resurrection Hospitals in what has now become a corporatized chain in Chicago- the second largest in the city. While the hospital system has profited, the workers in the food service, laundry, and environmental services are only making $9 per hour, on which to raise their families.

I recently went on a home visit with one of the AFSCME organizers and met Leon, a part time food service worker, who is struggling with diabetes. He states he has to choose each month whether his wages should go to rent or to health insurance because he can not coverboth on his income. (I did well to bite my tongue as a stipended intern and student who can really relate to that, yes? Do I hear an "Amen"!?) Anyway, Leon is a marginalized worker who takes great risks to step forward, but nonetheless, he has signed a petition to ask the CEO of the hospital system to increase the hourly wages, and allow the profits being made, to trickle down to those such as himself, who do the often un-noticed work of pushing food trays, or cleaning bathrooms. He even gave an interview, complete with his picture, to an AFSCME newsletter, reporting on low wage workers struggles.

For any of you who are Chicago-based, please accept my invitation to join one or both of our upcoming actions where you will hear from Leon and other workers who are asking for a living wage. You will also be joining other religious leaders of all different faiths, to stand with their Catholic brothers and sisters who have asked that this (after almost five years) becomes an interfaith religious effort- to help amplify their critiique of the mission of Resurrection Hospitals in Chicago.

August 1st is an informal dinner at 6 pm at AFSCME at the 5509 N. Cumberland Ave. Chicago office, for religious leaders and workers (as mentioned, from some of the lowest paying posts in the hospitals... laundry, food service, and environmental services.) This will be an intimate and informative chance to hear directly from workers, as well as connect with these other interfaith leaders who are becoming increasingly concerned about what is happening at Resurrection.

A significant portion of these service workers (almost 1/3 of the workers!) have signed a petition this summer with AFSCME, asking CEO Joseph Toomey for a wage increase. We have not gotten a response yet, and in the past, the experience of the workers has been that a reply may not come any time soon!

So, if there is no response, workers and religious leaders and AFSCME are going to bring the petition of signatures right to the Sisters of the Resurrection in management. So in preparation that this will be necessary, we also want to invite you to join with us on August 6, at 6 pm, for a Prayer Vigil at the Resurrection Medical Center as a delegation brings the petition directly to the Sisters of the Resurrection at their residence at 7435 W. Talcott Ave. Chicago 60657.

I know that those of you at work in Chicago have incredibly demanding schedules as well, so I hope that if you can not come, that this will serve as a little boost of an update (for all interns since we were together at our orientation) as to what has been happening on the campaign for workers from Chicago in their effort to form a union with AFSCME to put a stop to the injustices, such as un-livably low wages, from Resurrection Hospitals.

These two events will be the culminating focal points of the internship this summer for myself and the intern from JCUA. Our work has been to help build broader religious leader support, to offer another tier of religious voices, as the Catholic ones become integrated with other voices of the faithful. We are looking forward to August 1 and August 6, after working on the turn out on many different levels all summer (such as all the relationship building that is so hard to measure- whether it be 1:1's or calls, etc!) I will keep you posted.

Finding furtile soil in rural Indiana

2007-07-21T19:13:00.000-06:00

The beginning stages of starting a worker center in an area that is not politically active has certainly been challenging. With the worker center only being opened for three months much of the time we are busy building the capacity of the worker center and spreading the word about it's availability. The churches are the only social institution in the area. I have been busy planting seeds amongst various churches in the Logansport-Delphi-Monticello-Peru-Lafeyette-Kokomo-Frankort area. These rural cities all have small but growing members of Hispanic workers who work in the various meatpacking plants.

But still this area is approximately 80-85% anglo and I need to make sure that we not limiting ourselves to advertising our center to Hispanic workers. I am told there is racial hostility in the region and Indiana is the state with the most surviving members of the KKK. I have found pastors from Methodist, Lutheran and Catholic denominations who have diverse/liberal backgrounds and understand the reasons why many people from Latin America have crossed the border illegally. However some of their congregations are very conservative and change in rural Indiana takes time. Also the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette has reassigned a lot of their pastors in the area so they are in the process of building relationships just like us.

As each week passes I feel I more confident because I have built a relationship with at least one minister who embraces worker values and worker rights that they can minister those aspects to members in their congregation who can value worker rights in abstract concepts. Then there will be a time when those abstract concepts of worker values and dignity will be objective with local advocacy and actions.

Peace,
Ken

New Sanctuary Movement

2007-07-19T14:37:00.000-06:00

After having another meeting with the community leaders, we identified some families who could be the new candidates for the sanctuary in Arizona. Trina and Magdalena have interviewed the families.
We have been doing one-to-ones this past two weeks and try to develop some information to put into the materials we will prepare in order to educate the communities in Phoenix area. We ask the leaders about their role and contributions to social justice in their communities. If we are meeting with the religious leaders, then we look for information about their congregations and how supportive they are with social justice endeavors.
Most churches and mosques in the area claim that they would be spiritual allies to the movement but so far we have only one leader who committed her church to be a physical sanctuary. She has a lot of undocumented people in her congregation so she was extremely passionate. On the other hand, one religious leader refused to talk about the new sanctuary movement because of the same reason ( he has a lot of undocumented people in his congregation). He said that he did not want to jeopardize them. I was amazed at how different responses we received because of the very same reason.
We have also talked to a few senators in the AZ capital. We have emailed all the representatives and senators, most of the people who answered back are democrats or moderate republicans. Sarah and I feel like we are preaching to the choir. We are talking to the people on our side. We definitely are looking for ways to reach others who beg to differ with our opinions. How can we do that?
One of the reps said that there was not enough complaints on our side to the capital. She said that only republicans voiced their opinions and came to lobby. The democrats have no help because people do not send them emails asking them to vote no to anti immigrant bills but they get a lot of emails to vote yes. When they vote yes, they receive "thank you" emails. Therefore, even though they do not want to vote yes, I have to, because of lack of public cover.
I think that it is time to teach people how to lobby and write letters to the reps. It is time to learn the language that affects the anti-immigrant side. We have been talking in our language to ourselves, now we need to talk to them in the only language they understand, which is the "money language. " If we make them realize, the the USA needs immigrants for economic reasons, we can pull them to our side.

Walking the Picket Line With Obama

2007-07-18T22:19:00.000-06:00

Illinois Senator and 2008 Presidential Candidate Barack Obama walked the Congress Hotel Picket line with the workers of UNITE-HERE Local 1 on Monday. The workers at the Congress have been on strike for over four years and this was not Obama's first time walking the line in solidarity with them. His presence invigorated many of the strikers and brought an incredible amount of media coverage to the struggle. While I was able to stay out of the camera's view during most of Obama's visit to the line, I was leading chants over the bullhorn when he arrived and my voice appeared in many of the TV spots highlighting the event.

While the media were certainly drawn to the picket line by the presence of a 2008 presidential candidate, the event was not purely political or simply a stunt. Sen. Obama spent a good portion of his time actually walking on the line and talking with the workers there. The union has repeatedly emphasized to us interns how important it is to build relationships with the workers in the shops. Seeing the union emphasize the same points to Sen. Obama demonstrates both how serious and how genuine this approach this approach to organizing really is. Organizing requires trust and trust requires relationships, which is a reminder every politician needs and makes one think that more candidates should spend time on a picket line.

Always Beginning the World

2007-07-18T19:20:00.000-06:00

A few of my recent meetings have hit a little something home to me, that got clearer with each conversation, or reflection afterwards, or perhaps just with each passing week on the beat. This little nugget (of so many- with yet another week chock full of precious insights from this work underway) - this bit- that I am chomping on, seems to coincide with that line from the Innocence Mission song of a similar name, "We are always beginning the world". (Let me commend you to perhaps hear its provocative flow rather than take my word for it, as it looks a bit more dry in print here!) But at any rate, here is the thing: everything we do this summer in our work builds toward the next good rounds of work after us. It is some of the ground for the potential of what can be done for worker justice by those that will come up next after us.

On Monday I met with someone in Chicago who did Seminary Summer a year ago, and who is a classmate of mine at Chicago Theological Seminary (C.T.S.), and becoming a good friend and most trusted colleague-- someone whom I am sure I will be in touch with for decades to come, as we both wind our way in to our work in the United Church of Christ. You all in fact met him as one of the trainers at Orientation (while I was committed to leading a youth mission trip for my internship church placement, so I arrived late; and, for those of you I did not get to connect with- my regrets- and still hope to...) Jason is currently a seminarian and a student pastor in Chicago but also, as you likely learned, a former labor organizer, who rose quickly in the ranks of UNITE to broadly lead organizing efforts there. One of the things we touched base on was the fact that this will be the last year for both of us at the seminary, as Jason finishes his M.Div and I study for a Master of Sacred Theology. We noted that our task for the upcoming year of helping lead "Seminarians for Worker Justice" at C.T.S. will be to interest new folks coming in, who may become future coordinators of opportunities, for yet again additional students in the future to take action on behalf of low wage workers.

What issues might we plan to work on this year that could attract new seminary students such that we can help cultivate the next crew, as we get ready to graduate? I told Jason a little about the presentations that we heard at the IWJ National Conference from the student organizers who had successfully tapped a chord among busy students at their schools (this was from the workshop "From SNCC to Immokalee: Challenges and Opportunities for Student Organizing.") As we spoke, I got excited about the year to come, as I came to be able to frame a part of what our work will be: cultivating next leadership.

This is straight forward and neat in certain terms. But the same message also recently came to me from a very different kind of conversation. This was during some of the more grueling and unromantic parts of organizing (let me just say: a stack of cold outreach calls!) But the take-away insight is similar. A few weeks ago, I was facing down a most daunting list of calls to pastors. This was before I had a strategy session where I was encouraged to start with those whom I had identified a relationship or connection with that might be common ground (which was my inclination, coming out of our training, but during week one, I had still been more of an anthropologist, not asking as many questions- or offering my contributions as readily as I can now.) This was also before receiving the gem of wisdom from my mentor, "with organizing, Lauren, always start with the 'low hanging fruit'." In other words, of course start with the people with whom you have any previous connection- why the heck not with such an uphill climb?

So before being enlightened in such ways, on my initial day of calls, after a sea of vague ones, I "met" a pastor over the phone, where my focus came down sharp when I learned he was already familiar, and in fact a huge fan, of none other than "Interfaith Worker Justice and all the good folks there and all the good work that you do." I updated him as to what the lowest wage workers at Resurrection Hospitals in Chicago are working on, as they struggle to at least get a living wage, out of a hospital system that is becoming more and more corporatized, and less and less of the profit and benefits are trickling down to workers. He was less interested in the specifics, but said, "you are working with a really great operation, and yes I will try to come to your upcoming action if I am back in town by then." So rather than curse the blasted season of August pastor vacations one more time that day, I had a moment of sending out gratitude to all the tireless IWJ people who had worked before me, such that this pastor might be ready to act simply by my association with IWJ.

So I know that we are all "always beginning the world," even as many of the seeds that we drop can not yet be seen for their fruit to come. And so whenever I detect a shred of despair hidden underneath my generally optomistic attitude in this work-- I want to remember that even if my particular call may not turn from a maybe to a yes, I may leave a good impression that will lead next year's intern to an instant yes for her or his stack o' calls for an action that deserves wide support.

Together for Solidarity Friends

2007-07-16T23:13:00.000-06:00

Solidarity Not Charity!!! These words, "Solidarity Not Charity" have continued to speak truth to me everyday. Howdy, I'm Amanda and I am currently in Austin, Tejas with the fabulous Workers Defense Project. So again "solidarity not charity"!?! What is that in this so-call 'real world'? I have been finding myself continuously challenged in my summer experience here in Austin, which is amazing and hard to process as well. This past week a new city run day labor center opened. However, what was the actual workers' involvement and say, let alone their power in this project - to have an opening ceremony be completely in English, to visibly see the defining lines of those who it was to be a service to and those who worked to create such a 'service'?! I write to you now with thoughts in question and to ponder, for in this struggle toward equality, justice, and peace, we must note to try to be fully conscious of race, class, gender, ethnicity, social status, perceptions, where we come from, how we think and then do, and even so much more. We are in this together and now I think more than ever, that 'together' is a challenge in and of its own. We all have the power, but it is how we use it collectively, use it together that truly makes the world of difference. And so I until we meet again friends, both new and old, I must leave you with this - "If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."

Grassroots is the way to go

2007-07-10T12:11:00.001-06:00

Hello from Central Indiana,

For the past few weeks I have been attending many churches to have clergy leaders aware of the Central Indiana Worker Center. Sometimes though when doing real grassroots organizing it needs to be at the grassroots level.

A couple of weeks ago I attended the Hispanic Leadership Committee at the local Catholic Church to announce the presence of the worker center and that we need their assistance to increase its visibility. A women after the meeting said she was interested in helping out. Prior to living in Logansport she has lived in Salinas, Ca. for 20 years and was active with organizing efforts of Cesear Chavez and the UFW.

After talking with her we went out leaf-letting flyers into the neighborhood. She brought her son along to help and we dropped by one of her friends house that worked at a meatpacking company who told us situations she exprienced with the corporate doctor how their medical "expertise" would be for the workers to tell them on a scale of 1 to 10 how bad is the pain. Their remedy would be to take two tylenols, rest for 50 minutes and go back to work.

This Saturday she is organizing a house party to get some members in the community to talk about their work experiences. Having the setting be at a communal house will provide for a more relaxed setting. We quickly made her a board member to the new worker center. The clergy in the area are supportive of the center but are not familiar with the concepts of advocacy in the tactics a community organization or a union would implement building worker value and dignity.

Hope everyone is enjoying their worksites and I will let you know about the house party.

Peace,
Ken

2007-07-07T19:52:00.000-06:00

This summer is an opportunity to learn different strategies of organizing utilized by the union. In implementing these strategies, organizers use various tools to help increase the effectiveness of their efforts and ensure success. One staple of a union organizers toolbox is the bullhorn and I love it. Love may not be a strong enough word here. I am willing to do almost anything if it involves a bullhorn. Now this statement is obviously hyperbolic and I have severe ethical limitations on what I am willing to do in any setting, but "bullhorning" is ridiculously fun and completely changes my demeanor. Something about having the literal soapbox afforded to any individual with a bullhorn is incredibly empowering.

To provide just a few fun and interesting examples, one of the very first days I led chants during an early-morning hotel picket line. Just today, I "bullhorned" at customers of a hotel being boycotted by the union, engaging them in conversations about the concerns surrounding the boycott and the deeper moral issues related to justice. Now before anyone accuses me of being overly righteous or prideful, I was careful to keep the comments and conversations respectful and issued-centered. Many of the individuals were unaware of the boycott and the point of the action was not pure annoyance, but an intentional and observable way of informing the customers about the situation and also sending a statement to the hotel ownership of how seriously the union took the matter. The presence of the bullhorn was necessitated by the distance between us and the hotel's entrance and our own desire not to be arrested for trespassing.

Needless to say, I did not expect this internship to be filled with these type of activities, but I am enjoying the opportunity to literally lift my voice for justice!

From HOT Arizona

2007-07-01T20:10:00.000-06:00

I am Ayse, undergraduate IWJ intern in Arizona. My area of focus is immigration and the public policy. I am working with Trina Zelle and Sarah Schwarz on the New Sanctuary Movement.
My second day in Arizona, I was introduced to the Imam in Tempe, AZ and people involved in the immigration policies from the Muslim community. Later in the week, me and Sarah attended the New Sanctuary Movement follow up meeting in a church with mainly religious leaders and people of conscience in a Lutheran Church. Trina Zelle led the discussion on finding potential families, identifying the religious leaders, what to do next and how to approach senators in the state. After the bill was killed, we have attended a press conference in the State Capital.

Apart from the New Sanctuary Movement, we work along with UFCW and somos America on their Bashas campaign. Their research indicated that 58% of the baby formula in Bashas was expired and we participated in the action against Bashas as well as meetings before the action.

Currently, Sarah and I are beginning our initial outreach to faith communities. We have identified the religious leaders in order to develop materials on their religious response to immigration and their perspectives.

Energy

2007-07-01T14:16:00.000-06:00

Well I have survived my first week! There was never any doubt really....

I had a big week of meeting lots of new people, learning lots of new things, and adjusting to the schedule of a dedicated union worker. :) Some of the best experiences I had this week were getting to know some members of the union who are working in food services. Each person expresses a deep desire for something better. They know that the wages they receive and the benefits they do not receive just aren't cutting it. These people are leaders and they are trying to help others in their workplaces find energy to fight....but this task finds opposition. People are tired and overworked, and the thought of adding another thing to their schedule doesn't seem possible. And yet, they keep on fighting. I am in complete admiration of each person I met this week, and I only hope that I am able to keep the same constant passionate energy that I found in each person. Amen.

First Encounters

2007-07-01T00:12:00.001-06:00

She works four jobs, one being full-time, in addition to taking care of her family and trying to have a personal life. As one of three committee members in a very large "shop," her contributions as a leader within the union are invaluable. Throughout our conversation she never complained, instead she talked about the struggles of trying to make it in our society, the benefits she received from being part of the union, and her commitment to helping find more leaders from her workplace. She is the reason I am doing this and a reminder of how real, how raw, of an experience this summer is going to be for me.

My own middle-class upbringing and stable family life protected me from facing many of the struggles encountered by millions of people within the United States every single day. Hardworking individuals who are constantly trying to provide for their family and just make it one more day. Meanwhile, the efforts of their labor allows for the CEO's and stockholders of large companies to reap large financial benefits. Something is clearly amiss when some members of society must work 80 hours of week for their own economic survival and others have the resources to spend lavishly on absurd luxuries. The goal of a union is to correct these injustices by ensuring that an individual is justly compensated for the work he or she contributes to the overall success of a company.

All this sounds great in theory, but one gains a whole different perspective on the situation from talking with those who have endured these struggles and listening to their experiences. While every issue and debate in the world of labor involves political considerations, complex policy issues, and lots of talk centered around dollars and cents, one must never forget the people at the very core of these issues. Real people, with real lives and real struggles, are deeply affected by every policy decision affecting labor and every contract negotiated by a union. Unions are all about harnessing the power of the people and empowering people to fight for justice within their workplace. This summer is an opportunity for me to contribute to these efforts in a very small way. The focus of this work is caring for God's Children and those lessons are going to last way long after this experience ends and summer turns into fall.

Hello from Central Indiana

2007-06-28T07:47:00.000-06:00

Hello,

My name is Ken Bigos and I am a Seminary Summer Intern and I am working in Logansport, Indiana where the United Food and Commerical Workers International created the Central Indiana Worker Center to assist people in the region in their worker issues. My main responsibility has been doing outreach to the local churches in Logansport and surrounding small cities such as Peru, Kokomo, Lafayette and others. Meat packing is one of the major industries in the region with companies such as Tyson, Indiana Packers and subsidiary companies of Smithfield located within the Central Indiana area.

The worker center has only been opened for a couple of months and it has been great to see what needs to be done to start-up a worker center or a non-profit organization, such as writing the by-laws, promoting the organization and having all the materials needed to do the work efficiently.

I have met with the Presbyterian and Methodist ministers and the Hispanic leadership of the Catholic church. I am learning the self-interest and values of the ministers and the congregation. Along with the spiritual interests of maintaining their relationship with God there is also political and economic interests and/or conflicts that need to be considered that shapes the views of the ministers and the congregation.

The people here are very nice and I am enjoying the experience of small town life. I am watching some nice sunsets and a lot of cornfields. I am excited to see the Fourth of July in small town Indiana, children are already setting off firecrackers!

Have a great day! Peace!

Days 1 and 2 in Chicago

2007-06-26T21:01:00.000-06:00

Hi all!

My name is Becky and I am one of the interns this year in the IWJ Seminary Summer program. I was placed with UNITE HERE in Chicago, IL. For the next couple months I (along with several other interns and organizers from UNITE HERE) will be heading up a major campaign in the food service worker industry throughout the country, but especially in big cities such as Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. More specifically, I'll be helping organize the religious community around our campaign. Details are sparse at the moment, as today was only my second day and we are still learning! There is SO much to learn!

About me: I am a student at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, working on a MA in Theology. I will also be getting a Social Work Master's degree from the University of Chicago.

Any questions? Please post a comment! I will be online often to update the blog. At the moment, I must get some important rest - 10 hour long days definitely take their toll on you! I am VERY excited about the work we'll be doing here in Chicago!!!

Please check out these websites:
http://www.serviceworkersrising.org/
www.unitehere.org

Welcome

2007-06-11T11:01:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the brand new blog for Summer Student Programs with Interfaith Worker Justice. Here you will find updated information on upcoming events with IWJ, as well as have the opportunity to share information with other Summer Program participants.
Feel free to include links to relevant Web sites, articles, etc. Also remember to check out IWJ's home page at www.iwj.org or by clicking the link on the right hand side of the page.
Enjoy! -IWJ Staff