This week I have been reflecting a lot on why I engage in some of the social justice "fights" that I do, and why I am less engaged in others.
There are no easy answers. Probably the simplest explanation is that some issues have impacted me on a more personal level than others, so those are easier to get involved in.
One of those issues is the fight for GLBTQ rights. It is a justice issues I was heavily involved in during the late 1990's. In fact, I even testified at the hearing for marriage equality, which then got downgraded to Civil Unions in Vermont "back in the day" as they say. At the time I was one of the faculty advisory for the Spaulding High School Gay-Straight Alliance, and I was determined to fight for my students to have access to marriage just like I did. (I am happy to say that Vermont continued to progress and that some of those same students who were at the State House with me that night are now happily married to the person of their choice).
But I haven't been as actively involved or as vocal on the issues for the last ten years or so. I could use the excuse that I've been busy raising my son. But that's not the whole truth, especially now that my son is getting older and issues of sexuality are more and more a part of his life.
I could use the excuse that I'm clergy in the United Methodist Church, a church that teaches that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching". But that's not the whole truth, there are plenty of others who stand up and speak out against that stance, and I have done that to a lesser degree.
The truth is that I am scared. This is a dangerous issue. This is an issue that can get you attacked and slandered in the media for supporting it (as I was in 2000). It can get you beat up or kicked out of your home (as many queer youth have experienced). It can get you brought up on charges in your church.
I had planned to be more vocal this week. I had planned to go to DC and join others in publicly praying for all involved in the Prop 8 and DOMA cases. Unfortunately, my chronic health problems had other plans and I spent those days in pain and unable to participate other than turning my social media profiles red.
I wish I was healthy enough and courageous enough to fight for social justice in more ways than through social media, but some days it's just not possible for me.
I do admire those people who take risks to stand up for what they know to be right, what they know to be just. People like those arrested in Chicago this week while fighting to keep their children's schools open... fighting to save their communities. The problems we have with our educational system here in Calvert County is no where near this challenging. If it was, would I be brave enough to truly fight for justice (non-violently of course)?
While we enter the Triduum, I find myself reflecting on my place in the larger community. I find myself reflecting on true suffering and sacrifice. I find myself reflecting on the injustice and brutality that our society (any society) is capable of. And I remind myself that even when it's Friday, and all seems dark, that I must have faith, because Sunday is coming.
There are no easy answers. Probably the simplest explanation is that some issues have impacted me on a more personal level than others, so those are easier to get involved in.
One of those issues is the fight for GLBTQ rights. It is a justice issues I was heavily involved in during the late 1990's. In fact, I even testified at the hearing for marriage equality, which then got downgraded to Civil Unions in Vermont "back in the day" as they say. At the time I was one of the faculty advisory for the Spaulding High School Gay-Straight Alliance, and I was determined to fight for my students to have access to marriage just like I did. (I am happy to say that Vermont continued to progress and that some of those same students who were at the State House with me that night are now happily married to the person of their choice).
But I haven't been as actively involved or as vocal on the issues for the last ten years or so. I could use the excuse that I've been busy raising my son. But that's not the whole truth, especially now that my son is getting older and issues of sexuality are more and more a part of his life.
I could use the excuse that I'm clergy in the United Methodist Church, a church that teaches that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching". But that's not the whole truth, there are plenty of others who stand up and speak out against that stance, and I have done that to a lesser degree.
The truth is that I am scared. This is a dangerous issue. This is an issue that can get you attacked and slandered in the media for supporting it (as I was in 2000). It can get you beat up or kicked out of your home (as many queer youth have experienced). It can get you brought up on charges in your church.
I had planned to be more vocal this week. I had planned to go to DC and join others in publicly praying for all involved in the Prop 8 and DOMA cases. Unfortunately, my chronic health problems had other plans and I spent those days in pain and unable to participate other than turning my social media profiles red.
I wish I was healthy enough and courageous enough to fight for social justice in more ways than through social media, but some days it's just not possible for me.
I do admire those people who take risks to stand up for what they know to be right, what they know to be just. People like those arrested in Chicago this week while fighting to keep their children's schools open... fighting to save their communities. The problems we have with our educational system here in Calvert County is no where near this challenging. If it was, would I be brave enough to truly fight for justice (non-violently of course)?
While we enter the Triduum, I find myself reflecting on my place in the larger community. I find myself reflecting on true suffering and sacrifice. I find myself reflecting on the injustice and brutality that our society (any society) is capable of. And I remind myself that even when it's Friday, and all seems dark, that I must have faith, because Sunday is coming.
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