Opinion Articles on Social Justice topics
The shutdown is over — for now — perhaps better stated, it’s on pause, certainly so on the political front, as the new February deadline looms. But the economic and social costs have yet to be fully tallied or analyzed. Early work suggests pervasive effects and consequences will be felt. And, deeply divisive legislative and … Continue reading Pablo DeJesús on the Shutdown “Pause” – Notes for Justice Seekers
As the nights become longer, and our days become colder, I feel my body slowing down, craving warmth and demanding in no uncertain terms: rest. I have spent the last 24 months, not unlike many of you, protesting almost daily, working in overdrive and drinking too much coffee. And I know I am not alone. … Continue reading Alicia Sanchez Gill Freemyn on The Politics of Inherent Worth & Dignity — Our Continuing Journey
The summer of 2018 was rough. It began with several difficult transitions and then, in August, I was told that my position was being eliminated – the second time in two years I faced unemployment. I found another job with my employer quickly, so I thought I’d celebrate with a long weekend at the beach … Continue reading Patricia Malarkey on Talking Back to Corporations
The federal policy of separating families – children from parents, income-earners from dependents – is not new. In June, it jumped into bold relief with the U.S. Department of Justice’s action to criminalize people for exercising their right to seek asylum, then incarcerate them without tracking where they and their children were sent. But detention, … Continue reading Eleanor Piez on the Federal Policy of Separating Families
I was listening to a 2015 speech by former California congress member and former Oakland mayor Ron Dellums, who died recently of cancer, called “Vietnam: The Power of Protest.” He shared how young people have asked him about the difference between his generation–the generation of the Black Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War protests–and … Continue reading Elisabeth Geschiere on “Why I Believe Nonviolent Direct Action* is Imperative”
Sitting in the hot tent I could feel the damp air rising from the ground while I held my two-week old baby. I found myself in an unintentional sauna in DC. Just two hours before, 25,000 people gathered across the National Mall for the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival (PPC: NCMR). … Continue reading Rev. Tanner on “I Was A Wearied Kind of Ready: Lessons from Poor People’s Campaign”
There are many versions of the Grail legend. In one of them, Percival, the original Grail knight, sees the Grail when he is an adolescent. However, he fails to ask the critical question: Who does the Grail serve? He does not ask because his parents have taught him that it is impolite to ask questions. … Continue reading Rev. Koteen on “Discovering the Roots of Injustice: How Political and Economic Inequity Are Foundational to All Oppressions”
I was asked to tell you why I felt called to support the Poor Peoples Campaign and participate in its direct action at the U.S. Capitol. The ground work was laid when I started going to Cedar Lane and my consciousness was raised on one social issue after another, sermon after sermon, reflection after reflection. … Continue reading Why I Took Direction Action with the Poor People’s Campaign
“If I were to offer one thing that was salient from the March it was that despite the unique stories offered by each young person, one message was the same — ‘vote them out.’ Our most important mission as gun violence prevention activists is to support any and all measures to eliminate all the politicians … Continue reading A Local UU Gun Violence Prevention Activist on MFOL
By Rev. David Miller, Senior Minister, UU Congregation of Fairfax, on Feb., 14 Of the many symptoms of systemic illness on display in our country, school shootings are among the saddest and most destructive. As I watched children today fleeing their school in Florida, arms raised, I thought not only is the horror of safe … Continue reading Statement on Gun Violence
