NEVER DOUBT
NEVER DOUBT that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. I hold on to this proclamation by Margaret Meade like a banner before me urging me on.
If a small group can change the world, imagine what a large group can accomplish. That's what I see happening now as people from many different movements—Black Lives Matter, The Poor People's Campaign, the Democracy Movement, environmental and climate crisis movements, and other groups working for social, racial, economic, environmental and political justice—are seeing how all of these movements are interrelated. They are gathering together to demand the systemic changes needed to create a world that works for everyone.
More and more people want a new culture based on fairness, caring, diversity, inclusivity, equal opportunities, equal treatment, equal justice. We want a society with leaders and citizens who recognize and take care of each other and our common home, the Earth.
I want to speak particularly now about racial justice. I have to say that I have been woefully ignorant about American history as it relates to our treatment of Black people. I know I am not alone. Read "White People Say They Are Waking Up to Racism" I am doing my best to catch up and learn. I am listening to what Black people are saying to me and to all White people. One speaker talked about the emotional trauma caused by watching the video of Floyd George's murder. It was traumatic for me so I can't imagine how much more so for Black people who fear that it could, and does, happen to them. I am rapidly getting a sense of what it’s like to be Black in America. It's painful, scary and sad, and I will do what I can to change that. As Kimberly Jones said in a dramatic, hard-hitting and widely-circulated video, we (us White people of the established order) are lucky that Black people don't want revenge. They want equality. Watch ”Why Black people are demonstrating.”
It hurts to look at what we've done to Black people, but truth-telling is where we need to go first. We need to look squarely at our racist attitudes, beliefs and racial biases and do our level best to change them. Then I believe reparations are in order with a goal of reconciliation and changes in every arena of our society: health care, education, housing, food security, job opportunities. It’s got to be about treating all people as we wish to be treated ourselves. We are all human beings deserving dignity and respect. It's as simple as that.
Back to Blog