We progressive people of faith find ourselves at a pivotal moment in history, when so many political and social movements are coming to a head and beginning to converge. People are making connections between racism and poverty, economic inequality and political disenfranchisement, climate change and corporate take-over of governmental systems. We are beginning to realize we are stronger if we all work together than if we each just stay in our own vineyards, doing our own thing in isolation.
At the same time, it is daunting to see all the issues we are facing, each of which comes with its own sense of urgency. As we have been tackling ongoing issues of hunger and homelessness, health care reform, and increasing income inequality, we are also asked to take on environmental issues. For none of these other issues will matter if our planet becomes unlivable. And yet we also must pay attention and acknowledge that ongoing issues of racism and classism exist even in the most liberal pocket of our state and country, and we cannot make progress on any other front unless we include these issues as an integral part of our work.
So much is happening now, from Black Lives Matter; to the Fight for $15; to the Governor’s budget proposal with its devastating cuts to education, health care programs, its new drug testing requirement for applicants to W-2, a freeze on the Stewardship Fund; to the federal budget fight over deeply disturbing cuts to SNAP (food stamps) and the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP); to the erosion of the Voting Rights Act; to the continuing attacks on the Affordable Care Act, and so much else. It can be overwhelming. We hardly know where to put our hands first.
Two thousand years ago, Rabbi Tarfon said, “You are not responsible for completing the work, but neither are you free to refrain from it.” (The Ethics of the Fathers 2.16) He understood that the most important thing to remember is that, while none of us has the sole responsibility to save the world, each of us has our own role to play. If you can take just one action, attend one rally, write one letter, share information with one other person, then you have made an important contribution. Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice appreciates all you do to help advance a progressive agenda that reflects the values and beliefs of Wisconsin citizens. Together, we can make a difference!
At the same time, it is daunting to see all the issues we are facing, each of which comes with its own sense of urgency. As we have been tackling ongoing issues of hunger and homelessness, health care reform, and increasing income inequality, we are also asked to take on environmental issues. For none of these other issues will matter if our planet becomes unlivable. And yet we also must pay attention and acknowledge that ongoing issues of racism and classism exist even in the most liberal pocket of our state and country, and we cannot make progress on any other front unless we include these issues as an integral part of our work.
So much is happening now, from Black Lives Matter; to the Fight for $15; to the Governor’s budget proposal with its devastating cuts to education, health care programs, its new drug testing requirement for applicants to W-2, a freeze on the Stewardship Fund; to the federal budget fight over deeply disturbing cuts to SNAP (food stamps) and the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP); to the erosion of the Voting Rights Act; to the continuing attacks on the Affordable Care Act, and so much else. It can be overwhelming. We hardly know where to put our hands first.
Two thousand years ago, Rabbi Tarfon said, “You are not responsible for completing the work, but neither are you free to refrain from it.” (The Ethics of the Fathers 2.16) He understood that the most important thing to remember is that, while none of us has the sole responsibility to save the world, each of us has our own role to play. If you can take just one action, attend one rally, write one letter, share information with one other person, then you have made an important contribution. Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice appreciates all you do to help advance a progressive agenda that reflects the values and beliefs of Wisconsin citizens. Together, we can make a difference!
RSS Feed
