"What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love." Martin Luther King, Jr.
As I'm writing this post, I am reflecting on the current affairs in Washington D.C. Unsurprisingly, the local government is under fire and the mayor is being called on to resign due to alleged corrupt election practices in 2010. You can read more here about it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/gray-donor-admits-to-scheme-to-funnel-illegal-campaign-contributions/2012/07/10/gJQA0b5DbW_story.html
But, I think this is just one example of how our society is getting things wrong. These things happen because we as humans try to have a focus on us when really it isn't. It is about others (for those of faith, God by loving one another). The group I helped lead this week had a neat them of "It's not about you" and I found it very fitting at this juncture in my time in the District of Columbia.
It's been an enlightening summer of trying to see the interconnectedness of government, non-profit, and religious organizations working to try and solve problems of social justice in our communities. Unfortunately, it looks very jumbled because of the disconnect between the different sides. Those that can and can't or won't talk about God, the solutions that each side believe would be most effective, and the problems that seem to be the 'most important'. For me, it has been fascinating to see. I've gotten the privilege to work with amazing people and organizations that are truly making an impact. I've gotten to see the aftershocks of bad decisions made by organizations in the past.
All in all, I am lucky for the opportunity that I have had. It's crazy to think it's mid-July, but I guess time flies when you are busy.
Best,
Tim
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