Wasted Time

Why advocate? Why stand up and fight in a battle that seems it cannot be won? We find in so many situations that movements can be started, hearts can be won, people can get riled up - but no change will occur.

"Not in our name"

This was the explanation given to me by  Brandon Fountain, who is the Civic Engagement & Communications Organizer at Greater Birmingham Ministries (plus he was gracious enough to to share his office with me). Brandon followed up his statement by saying, "Let's not kid ourselves, we live in Alabama.. It is very hard for change to occur, especially in the political setting of our state, but should we give up? Should we just sit down while we see wrongs committed right before our eyes? The answer is to stand up and say no. The answer is to stand up to and to declare that injustice will not stand unopposed - it will not be condoned in our name. Years from now, when things are different, we will have the benefit of looking back and saying 'we took a stand, we fought that fight.'

And that's how my first day at GBM took shape, with the answer of a question we all ask ourselves as to why fight for change in a society that is hesitate to accept new ideas. Brandon was exactly right in his answer. So many times, people get drawn up in the concept of "saving the world in a day", not realizing that in some cases..most cases.. they will be shut down or rejected. For a while I have lived in a sort of utopian mindset of immediate change, of storming in and saving the day like a super hero. I have come to realize that advocacy isn't so much about immediate change as it is about the declaration of each individual standing hand in hand exclaiming "Not in our name." 

Renowned human rights attorney, and personal role model,  Bryan Stevenson (click the link for the most amazing and heartfelt speech you will ever hear) says that we must all realize that "our humanity depends on the humanity of others." What this entails is that we focus on the person not the cause. The individual not the issue. That's what truly can ignite change.

Best Regards,

Denzel