Dear Martin,

Your path to justice leaves me often weary. How is it possible that you were able to stand up against hatred, injustice; the laws, the dogs and death and I falter when someone ask me “what are you fighting for?” As if there is no need for freedom fighters. And there is nothing left to say or do. Concepts like race, gender, and deeds like discrimination and segregation are dead like you.

2008 looks different from the South in 1960. African-Americans have White friends, attend White institutions; we drink from the same fountains and we fall in love with each other. Men and women of diverse racial and ethnic groups are contributing in just about every major organization in the country. Martin you would be so happy to know that a Black man is running for President of the United States (I just happen to be leaning toward voting for Hillary—a woman can you believe it is running for the Presidency too!)

Yet, I feel there is something in our midst that keeps multicultural relationships from just being possible instead of being the fulfillment of destiny—the unification of brothers and sisters. And that is why I look for your resurrection, your wisdom, your strength and your love to sustain the weary and your words to illuminate the paths of freedom fighters. I commit my life to the struggle for peace and justice. In one name: family I lift you up in praise.

I love you Martin.

Robin

Freedom Fighter

Robin

Saturday, January 26, 2008 4:08:36 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [1] | 

I have been described as a rabble rouser, agitator, troublemaker (?) and activist. Although, all of these words aptly apply they do not clearly define why I have chosen the path of resistance. My reason--I want to enjoy all that the world and another has to offer.  I am compelled to seek intellectual and spiritual “truths.” I must commit my mind and soul (beliefs in action) to the eradication of those things within (me) and outside that hinder me from being able to fully appreciate YOU! Resistance against sexism, racism, homophobia, ethnocentrism, elitism provides me a space to dream of a world free from discrimination and full of positive connections.

Agitation 1 (true story)

A woman has been invited to sit on a high level governing board dealing with empowering young people through education. However, the meetings are held at 7:30 in the morning—the meeting schedule is not conducive to insuring that she can get her children up and ready for school.  Hmmmm…what should she do? What should the board do?  Well, I’ll tell you what they did do. She resigned and the board kept their 7:30 am meeting time.

Think About It: Women (sometimes men) are penalized for assuring that their children are cared for. If a woman chooses to put her children first it could potentially derail her community involvement and or her career aspirations. Yet, in this country we tout that our children are the assets of the future and that patriarchy is dead. I don’t know whether or not the board understood how they supported a structure that marginalizes women, that put children at risk and negates the contributions of 50% of the population but somebody ought to tell them.

All responders please feel free to check my biases and lack of understanding of the issues that I bring forward—I want to grow.

Monday, January 21, 2008 4:15:22 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [1] | 

Well, this is the week of the famed "Spike the Spirit" Volleyball tournament. When I was a student this was one of the few activities on campus—minus final exams that could get my adrenaline pumping. I loved strategizing about how I would take on the competition. I loved the camaraderie that developed between my teammates and I as well as between us and our competitors—after all we were playing each other Lourdes College students, faculty, staff and administrators.

Before last year I hadn’t played in a Spike the Spirit tournament in 5 yrs. Although I considered myself an athlete in my “younger” (5-40 ) years and I am in good physical shape today I knew there were some muscles that required some vigorous tuning up. So, I decided to prepare my body by participating in the intramural volleyball program.

I expected to see the net, the volleyball; people in shorts and I even expected to see 20 year olds who believed that some of us are too old to play. What I wasn’t expecting is the lack of competition—and the audacity of these same 20 year olds who didn’t think that I (my team excluded) could WIN a game. Well being the mature person I am I decided that instead of feeling maligned I would do the Lourdes College thing and educate the “young” about etiquette on the court.

First, competition requires someone who can meet you on your level and if they don’t then it is ok to assist them in developing the skills they need to improve their game

Second, it is unwise to make “fun” of the opposition by making light of their abilities for as soon as you turn your back all bets are off and the ball will whiz by your head (less about competition and more about adrenaline pumping)

Third, competition does not necessarily mean winning a game a tournament it could mean sustaining a rally, making a great save or getting a point

Lastly, if you should ever meet someone who happily announces they come from the old school of volleyball—which means you only got a point when you deserved it and not by default (rally rules), that you can’t kick the ball if it comes down by your feet (that used to be called soccer) and that regardless of which team makes a great shot they are congratulated for their skill.

It also means before the old schooled relinquishes their drive to WIN they will willingly ignore the brutal spike as the ball slams against their face, they will gladly dive for a ball no matter how far out of their reach—and lastly in the face of defeat they will know that in their hearts, minds and at the sacrifice of the skin on their knees they are competitors, champions and Winners

—I’m definitely a Franciscan Gray Wolf—Enjoy the game!

Thursday, October 18, 2007 1:12:01 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] | 

Robin has joined the LourdesWorld Blog Center as a new alumni blogger!

Wednesday, August 01, 2007 4:49:15 PM (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] |