People Matter --14 Days and Counting! (WOW) Every man and woman is our brother or sister and every persons burden is our own. Where poverty exists, all are poorer. Where hate flourishes, all are corrupted. Where injustice reigns, all are unequal. Whitney Young (modified) The more I teach and invite folks into conversation, the more the message of this March emerges, and clarifies, at least for me. That is the way - a message kept to itself has no way of forming and shaping, of finding words to express the importance of the action you are taking. In isolation the heart of the March will shrivel. The willingness of people to extend hospitality and care towards me on this journey allows emotional and spiritual energy to pour from my heart to others. I feel them and I am alive in ways I have yet to discover. Today we face a significant challenge - shaping our communities based on the values of compassion, mercy and love. In the face of this challenge we will be called to examine every truth/myth we believe as citizens of this country. The American Dream of prosperity is a myth - it can happen for the single individual who rises from the pit of poverty and scrapes their way to the top. However, that phrase is embedded in attitudes and judgments that say more about the people who for whatever reason never scrape their way to the top - millions left in the darkness of daily struggle. This phrase (American Dream) gets tossed around by everyone, both as a shining star that pulls us forward and as the hammer of blame for the ones left behind (if you want it badly enough you can create it - myth). Historically, social reform and Christian values called us to serve the people left behind - the people who are vilified for their own conditions and who, for a variety of reasons, never meet our expectations. Fox News perpetuates this bias through daily messages that say these people are lazy, looking for a free lunch, freeloaders who would sit around all day and watch TV, leeches and slugs. The news sends out misinformation such as people on Food Subsidies are using their benefits to join fitness clubs (not possible ... people on food subsidies cannot even buy feminine napkins, no nonfood items). Yet there it is dangling out there before a public hungry to blame someone for their unhappiness - people who are poor are ready targets. In small groups we have begun to unpack the hidden slimy side of classism. We are putting light and air on hidden thoughts and ideas and together we are beginning to tell the truth and learn about new ideas. When we are telling the truth, then together we can be in action - we can step up. We should tell the truth, if for no other reason than its easier to remember. So lets tell the truth not only about people who live in poverty, lets tell the truth about people of wealth who benefit from corporate welfare. Lets tell the truth if for no other reason than people matter. Blessings, Lou
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:00:49 +0000
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