An Open Letter to the Occupiers from a Veteran Troublemaker - Jim Wallis

[rosesaylavee]

http://blog.sojo.net/2011/10/13/an-open-letter-to-the-occupiers-from-a-veteran-troublemaker/

You have awakened the sleeping giant, too long dormant, but ever present, deep in the American democratic spirit. You have given voice and space to the unspoken feelings of countless others about something that has gone terribly wrong in our society. And you have sparked a flame from the embers of both frustration and hope that have been building, steadily, in the hearts of so many of us for quite some time.
...
One of you told me in New York City last week, “This is not a protest, but a think tank.” Another of your compatriots wanted me to understand that you are trying to build something in Liberty Square that you aspire to create for our global village — a more cooperative society.

Most telling to me was the answer to the first question I asked of the first person I talked to at the Wall Street demonstrations. I inquired of one of the non-leaders who helped lead the first days of Occupation what most drew him to get involved in the demonstration and he replied, “I want to have children someday, and this is becoming a world not good for children.”
...
The new safe spaces you have created to ask fundamental questions, now in hundreds of locations around the country and the world, are helping to carve out fresh societal space to examine ourselves — who we are, what we value most, and where we want to go from here.

*******************************************

Just a great blog entry discovered by a friend on Facebook. Wallis brings up some great ideas that I hope are being discussed at the many Occupy locations around the country.

What are the next steps?

How do we create the change we are talking about?

All good questions and what a tremendously positive protest this is.

One last thing Jim Wallis advises: "I would advise you to cultivate humility more than overconfidence or self indulgence. This really is not about you. It’s about the marginalized masses, the signs of the times, and the profound yearning for lasting change."

Peace.

[madfloridian]

1. The Jim Wallis who called us "secular fundamentalists", said we attacked religion?

Wallis talks about the left

"The religious community has different views on abortion. But some of the most hysterical comments from the Left this week have suggested the problem is that progressive religious groups have been listened to by the Democratic Party; some members of the Left long for the good old days when their party was avowedly secular and properly hostile to religion and all this talk about those annoying moral values voters. Well, good luck in ever winning elections in the U.S. or, more importantly, ever seeing the kind of broad social movements that make real change possible (i.e., movements for social justice which have always been based on moral values with central involvement from the faith community).

..."I have fought against religious fundamentalists most of my life, but it’s quite sad to see this new assault of secular fundamentalism against religion of all kinds — even against progressive religion."

That annoyed me greatly when he called us that.

He did not have much humility then.

[rosesaylavee]

2. Wow that looks like the same guy.

Thanks for letting me know. I will share that too. Wonder what's turned him around?

[madfloridian]

6. He's a good guy, I'm sure.

I just had real trouble with that statement of his. Has he fought FOR women's rights, for gay rights....or has he been too busy defending the religious extremists and fussing at the left?

Glad he doesn't disapprove of OWS. Thanks for your post. :hi:

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[madfloridian]

5. Hey, don't lecture this recovering Southern Baptist on bigotry.

Your comment is ludicrous:

"Anti-religious bigotry is a popular prejudice at DU, given utterly free rein by the moderators and administrators."

I come from a very religious background, and I resent your comments very much.

[JDPriestly]

7. Patience. This is a forum, and non-believers are not welcome everywhere.

Religious people have more influence when their express their beliefs through their actions, their speech, their humility and their love.

If you talk to someone who is anti-religion, you will often find that what they object to about the religious is their constant judging, their feelings of superiority.

Wallis is a great guy. I liked the article.

[glowing]

4. Exactly, who are we? What do we value? What is fair? How do

we live in a manner that is just for us and is good for our future children.

[Fire Walk With Me]

8. I've updated my signature line...

[rosesaylavee]

9. Isn't that just a great line?

Glad you liked. :hi:

[Fire Walk With Me]

10. Thank you!

:hi: