It's been months since I have blogged.
I have lots of excuses, er, uh, extremely valid reasons. Honest I do! (Among them is the fact that my migraines have been a steady annoyance, but that is a topic for another post)
In the past few months I have been actively engaged in ministry in Calvert County through my church and through several community organizations.
Just within the past couple of weeks I have been engaged in discussions around racism and healing some of the wounds and distrust that continue to divide black and white churches (and individuals) and efforts to stop some of the systemic issues that continue to contribute to inequity. This diverse group discussed many topics around race and class including how "trailer trash" is considered the absolute lowest of the low when it comes to social class and standing in the community. Then, as happens, within days our entire community got activated because several families living in a trailer park were indeed being treated like trash. I was extremely proud of those who stepped in and offered assistance, including members of Trinity UMC.
Being involved in ministries and advocacy groups that work with homeless and nearly homeless / at-risk populations can be depressing at times. To see the cycles of poverty that many individuals and families find themselves trapped in not only makes me sad, it makes me angry. Many of these people could be helped if they had been given more opportunities earlier in their lives. That's one of the reasons I am so passionate about providing equitable education. When people are part of an oppressed or disadvantaged group for whatever reason (poverty, skin color, ethnic background, primary language, physical or mental disability, etc.) they need more help to be able to achieve. Why is it so hard for so many of us to give up some of our privilege or at least our own sense of entitlement and offer a boost to these folks in their earlier years (and beyond) so that they too can be productive members of society? And, furthermore, even if they are less "productive" than some (again, I think of those with certain disabling conditions), that should never make them any less valuable in the eyes of their neighbors.
Just a few thoughts that have been swirling in my mind these past few weeks...
What say you?
I have lots of excuses, er, uh, extremely valid reasons. Honest I do! (Among them is the fact that my migraines have been a steady annoyance, but that is a topic for another post)
In the past few months I have been actively engaged in ministry in Calvert County through my church and through several community organizations.
Just within the past couple of weeks I have been engaged in discussions around racism and healing some of the wounds and distrust that continue to divide black and white churches (and individuals) and efforts to stop some of the systemic issues that continue to contribute to inequity. This diverse group discussed many topics around race and class including how "trailer trash" is considered the absolute lowest of the low when it comes to social class and standing in the community. Then, as happens, within days our entire community got activated because several families living in a trailer park were indeed being treated like trash. I was extremely proud of those who stepped in and offered assistance, including members of Trinity UMC.
Being involved in ministries and advocacy groups that work with homeless and nearly homeless / at-risk populations can be depressing at times. To see the cycles of poverty that many individuals and families find themselves trapped in not only makes me sad, it makes me angry. Many of these people could be helped if they had been given more opportunities earlier in their lives. That's one of the reasons I am so passionate about providing equitable education. When people are part of an oppressed or disadvantaged group for whatever reason (poverty, skin color, ethnic background, primary language, physical or mental disability, etc.) they need more help to be able to achieve. Why is it so hard for so many of us to give up some of our privilege or at least our own sense of entitlement and offer a boost to these folks in their earlier years (and beyond) so that they too can be productive members of society? And, furthermore, even if they are less "productive" than some (again, I think of those with certain disabling conditions), that should never make them any less valuable in the eyes of their neighbors.
Just a few thoughts that have been swirling in my mind these past few weeks...
What say you?
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