Their trip is about making people aware of the proposed cuts in domestic and international hunger and nutrition programs. Frankly, I first heard about it the other night when their spokeswoman, Sister Simone Campbell, appeared on The Stephen Colbert Show. As with most things Colbert, her presentation was brief but enlightening. In another interview, Sister Simone said that the budget bill "all wrapped up in sound bites" would punish struggling people "while benefiting the top 1 percent" with tax cuts that would add to the national debt. "The House budget would decimate our country. It is not in keeping with the spirit of our Constitution."
The tour is being sponsored by NETWORK, which describes itself as a progressive national Catholic social justice lobby. These women care passionately about the marginalized in our country. Most of them, I would venture to say, have given much of their adult life to others. They have devoted
themselves to their God and to the less fortunate people among us. That is why they are my heros. This path requires a heaping portion of unselfishness. People who give fully to others live among my heros. It is something I am not willing to do. I am not willing to set aside my requirements for solitude and silence, my desires for a diverse sort of life, to give all to a cause.
I am humbled by someone like Sr Simone Campbell. For 18 years, she was the lead attorney for Community Law Center in Oakland, CA. There she served the working poor of her county assisting people with family law and probate needs. She also worked with a California Interfaith public policy organization to protect the interests of people who are poor. She went to Iraq in 2002 with a group of religious leaders and has been able to present and write extensively about her experience. She has been the Executive Director of NETWORK since 2004. Clearly, her life has been about peace building and economic justice. I admire her so much.
I want to follow her example but I don't even know where to start. Oh, wait a minute, start from where you are. But that's where it gets tough. To follow her lead, I need to give more of what I have. I need to take precious time away from my solitude, from my reading, writing, family, painting - all those things - and give it to a cause. I could more faithfully participate in the Sonoma County Peace and Justice Center. There are tons of opportunities there to get involved in peace building and campaigns for social justice. I could volunteer weekly with local food pantry. I could even commit to writing one letter a week in support of some cause. But I know, at this point, I won't. I am not going to beat myself up about this. I am simply going to acknowledge my admiration for people such as Sister Simone Campbell. Who knows to what that acknowledgement may lead?
JT, I have heard about these nuns, but until your post, I did not know the names of any of them......Simone Campbell. These nuns are so correct about the Paul Ryan Budget being very bad for the poor. I have also read quite a bit about the House of Representatives Budget; one that Romney supports by the way. It seems to be in the spirit of Ayn Rand and has very little compassion. In terms of your contribution to causes that promote social advocacy, just by taking the time to write about Sister Simone, in fact you have done a sensible and useful task. So, as you say, "do not beat yourself up!" The problem with people who have money is that they almost always automatically want more. They find it so difficult to share, because they always operate on the scarcity model; that is, they believe there is "not enough to go around", and thus they hoard. So, Bless the good nuns for the work they are doing. In fact, let's just get on that bus when it comes to town!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the obsession with money. Recently I heard that Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple Computer, earned $378 million in 2011 - Really? yes - why does he need or even want that much money - especially if he looks around and becomes aware of the many people who have little or no income - or even the people who work in the Apple stores - I know the starting salary is around $10-$12/ hour -- how can a person be okay with this discrepancy?
ReplyDeleteAt least Bill and Melinda Gates give some of their money back --
yes, Bill and Melinda Gates are an exception to the rule......they seem to understand the concept that money should be passed around.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me want to research them and find out how to get other bazillionaries willing to be philanthropists.
DeleteI saw the Colbert interview--and loved it. I, too, have great admiration for what they are doing and I loved how composed and well-spoken she was about all of it, even while keeping it light and entertaining. As to the budget that they are trying to call attention to, it's probably best if I don't even get started on THAT...Outrage tends to make me significantly less articulate and I would probably end up saying things like "asldkjfnadak;lfn;ahgoweirjakfn" and thinking I'm making some sort of sense. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think many of us have that inner debate about how we could or should be doing more, but realize how much it would take for us to do so because so many of us have our own financial and time-crunch burdens. Maybe I am just trying to justify my own "selfishness" and "laziness" but I think until I can make a commitment to volunteering/contributing with a fully open heart (not conflicted or resentful), I am probably doing everyone a favor by staying home.
PS--It occurred to me after I hit publish that those of us who work in "human service" fields (as we both do) are probably in a particularly crunched position. Our paid jobs require a certain mindset and an emotional energy that require a lot of self-care to maintain. If that makes any sense?
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you on that, MM -- I am willing to acknowledge that my work matters for something and that I only have so much energy to give give give - and most of it goes to the kids and parents at school. But the time will come when I can do more and I will.
Deletehey, Jt: yes, thanks for running this post. I too, admire these women, for having the strength to get out there and tell it like it is. I know what you mean, about feeling the desire to do something selfless like this, but not doing it.....we all do what we can, in our small ways....thanks, matt
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