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Aug 31
2007
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if a social activist falls in the forest...Posted by steve sherwood in social justice, progressive causes, ONE Campaign, Jesus, Jena 6 |
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I just got an invitation to join the facebook group, "free the jena 6", referring to the case of what appears to be the profoundly racially motivated prosecution on attempted murder charges of six African-American youths in the South who gotinvolved in a fight with a white student in their town. I was able to proudly reply that I already have joined the group. In fact, I'm in a few socially activist facebook groups. And, did I mention that, like Bono, I sport a ONE campaign bracelet?
The reality is, it would be hard to find any socially conscious, progressive cause that I'm not willing to lend my internet identity to.
My question is, SO WHAT? It certainly makes me feel good. I feel like I'm a man of the people. That I, like Jesus, care most for the least of these. But, do I?
On one level, I really do. When I read the paper, or watch the news, the things that upset me are matters of justice for the dispossessed.
On the other, and much more significant, hand. I don't think, most of the time, that I really do. Because, most of the time, I don't lift a finger to do anything that would actually help these causes in a tangible way. If the meter of my concerns were where my time really gets allocated. I would seem to care more about snacking and watching either sports or Seinfeld re-runs than just about anything else in the world.
I'm not meaning to be self-flaggelating here. I just want to encourage myself, and perhaps you too, if you live your life anything like me, to put my life where my facebook mouth is. I may not be able to free the Jena 6, but I can write letters to my and their congressperson. I can get involved in justice issues in the town in which I live.
What was it Jesus said about those that said, "Lord, Lord" but didn't lift a finger to feed, clothe, serve those in need?
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One more of the Jena 6 had his attempted murder charge reduced to aggravated assault today. One young man still remains charged with attempted murder.
I'm going to have to give this post the "most creative title" award. Good words Steve.
