Category: Justice
Milk
January 3rd, 2009
I finally saw the film about Harvey Milk on New Years Day. Wow! is my first thought. The film isn’t about just one person, but how a group of people, with faith (or confidence) can challenge the status quo and win.
Milk wasn’t in office long, but his influence is still felt. When I saw the pictures of San Francisco City Hall, what I remembered was not the tragedy that took place later in the movie, but the line of same sex couples getting marriage licenses in 2004.
Despite the tragedy of Proposition 8, the movie demonstrates how far we’ve come. In 1978, who would have guessed that in 20 years, same sex marriage would even be a possibility?
That doesn’t mean, of course, that we stop working towards it. It’s not inevitable. But, in another 20 years, the arguments against same sex marriage will, I hope, be as outdated and wrong as Anita Bryant and her crusade against homosexuals in the 1970s.
Lynn
Gaza & Peace on Earth
December 30th, 2008This afternoon, my husband and I went to a protest against the Israeli attack on Gaza. There were around 1500 people, mostly Muslim. I was thrilled to see so many people protesting the violence on both sides. However, there were far too few Christians and Anglo-Americans.
How can we have peace on earth if we cannot join with our brothers and sisters of different races and faiths to achieve it?
What is happening in Gaza is not an isolated incident. Israel’s continuing blockade finally cut off food aid from the UN and other organizations in November and gas for the generators needed to power the city. As one sign I saw said, “Empty stomachs know no peace". We cannot stand by and expect that such actions will create peace.
We cannot honestly confront Iran for providing arms to Hamas or Hezbollah while we provide arms to Israel.
Peace will not come without justice for the oppressed. Justice will not come if we do nothing.
Lynn
Quotes on Justice & Religion
September 11th, 2008These are from Sam Keen (www.samkeen.com).
“Far from being optional, the quest for justice is central to a worldly spirituality - as it should be to institutional religion. Otherwise we are left with disengaged religion, gnostic mysticism, and a godlet dedicated to strengthening the ego’s illusions of self-sufficiency.”
“Considering the escalating poverty, anarchy, violence, and ecological destruction in the contemporary world, I believe the central vocation that will define authentic spirituality in the 21st century will be a new quest for justice.”
Peace,
Lynn
The Other September 11th
September 11th, 2008September 11, 1973, the CIA overthrew the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende in Chile. General Augusto Pinochet took over and presided over some of the worse human rights violations in history. Thousands of people disappeared and others killed.
I love this video of Salvador Allende’s last address to the citizens of Chile, set to music. The English translation is on top, the Spanish on the bottom.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYGxGeLAMBE
On this day when we remember our own loss of people, of innocence about the world and our place in it, let us also remember others’ losses which are no less than ours ans in which we also have a place.
Peace,
Lynn
My .02 about Sarah Palin
September 5th, 2008First, I’m insulted that since I’m a woman, it’s assumed that I will vote for any candidate or party because a woman is on the ticket. Gender is important and I would love to have someone who truly represents me.
I would love to have someone who understands that childcare is so expensive, many families are priced out of it. This summer, my family paid $2700 for childcare for two school-age children. Some families forego the expense and have older children watch the younger ones, but this may lead to other, more serious problems. Has Sarah Palin ever paid for childcare for her five children? Does she know how hard it is to find good, quality childcare? Will she do anything to make it more affordable?
I would love to have someone who understands that birth control is a necessity, not a luxury. Without insurance, birth control pills may cost over $40/month. That’s $1.43/pill. I’ve known women who had to choose between buying food and paying for birth control pills. There are other forms of birth control, of course, though the pill is usually the easiest and does not require the cooperation of a partner (which would be ideal, but isn’t realistic).
I would love to have someone who understands that a good education is a neccesity for all children. My children attend school in a district with over 70% low income students. My children will do fine, but others need help that should not be considered optional. We need good, afterschool programs staffed by people who truly care about children, are trained to deal with all the myriad problems inherent in difficult financial situations and who are paid a living wage.
For that matter, I would love someone who understands that an artificially low minimum wage keeps many single mothers from being able to make ends meet. I doubt Palin (or McCain) has ever had that problem.
Peace,
Lynn
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