By Jennifer (MLK Freedom Center Student)
“Move as fast as you can but as slow as you need to.”
Change does not happen overnight it takes disciplined and dedicated individuals for change to occur. Being a lifelong learner means recognizing that being of service to the people is not a job or a time in our lives, it is a lifestyle. We must practice the power of humility and work to become our nobler selves. We are at a time when greed, hate, and distractions are grabbing hold of us and pulling us away. To advocate for justice, we must become satisfied with more responsibility.
Gratitude is fundamental in developing our desire for responsibility. Gratitude recognizes how we are all interconnected. We must appreciate and learn from those who came before us by listening to their struggles and hard work. Those who have been in the struggle for life long justice, had a vision for us. They fought for what they believed in by being disciplined and dedicated individuals. By having the curiosity to learn responsibility, the humility to grab a hold of it and drive the struggle forward. As we develop on our journey for justice, the sense of responsibility must begin to grow within us. We have to lean into our capacity to take ownership of what it means to be an advocate for the left out, locked out, and hungry in all of us. We must tie history and current reality, to be guided and accurate, with intent, and purpose. Change does not come fast nor easy, it requires us to work hard for the beloved community.
Truly appreciate and enjoy Jennifer’s thoughtful commentary. To look past the frustration and despair we all encounter, and to embrace inspiration, hope and love for our troubled little planet and our fellow travelers upon it.
And that our role in it is always self determined to some extent. Her words uplift me this evening as I read them during a magical orange sunset from here in the heart of the Sierras!
Wishing all my brothers and sisters on this years civic engagement pilgrimage a powerful and fruitful journey in the weeks ahead!