So far this summer I have been working with and around a number of grassroots non-profit organizations, that are transforming the communities that they are in. Some would call the individuals I am talking about ‘community organizers’ but from what I have seen these people have large hearts in a big pond, and are up against a mountain of weeds and lots of opposing forces that may or may not mean them harm. Sometimes it can just be a logistical nuisance. One community in particular that is moving deep in a community in North Philadelphia is called New Jerusalem Now. Their story compels me, and the lives of the people they are changing are diamonds in the rough. No one is perfect, the way I see it our tasks on this earth is to cleanse our hearts as best we can, without contaminating those around us. The founders of NJN are what I would call grunts in the trench. There is no grandstanding or attaching themselves to any particular cause. Their passion found them; it is one of the most organic communities I have ever seen in my life.
To me the term community organizer is someone who’s occupation it is to move and organize people to uplift a community, which puts them in the tense of a ‘the player’ in the lives of the inhabitants of the lives of the inhabitants of this given community. The people I mentioned in the former paragraph are in a class of those who have chosen to take imitative and shift negative influences out, and install positive ones. The most effective vehicle for this is inspiration from the divine or some higher power. I personally call it the creator. In a sense they have elected to become the pawn to incite a beautiful chaos. Agents of change is too weak a title to describe the contribution these people are making to the world at large. The only reward for them is a silent ovation among the choirs of angels.
I have no real criticism of President Obama, I think he is one of the most extraordinary presidents we have had since Jimmy Carter. None of his executive decisions deserve scrutiny in my eyes thus far. But 4 years is a long time. I ask you all to consider his human frailties, and not be too disappointed in the event that he makes an unpopular decision, no matter who it effects.
