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B Carpenter - Thinking Deeply's avatar

In 1967 several of my college classmates and I formed a local chapter of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) chapter in the community in Pennsylvania where our college was located. Among our first activities was to open an after-school tutoring program for struggling high school students located in the public housing projects near our off-campus apartment complex. We felt we needed a way to connect with the local community in order to politically activate them and helping their kids was a good way to make that connection. In time we commenced conducting voter registration drives and politically activating the community for a number of causes. By the time my class graduated we had even placed several members of the local neighborhood on the school board, City Council, and in several municipal boards and commissions.

That community activism during my college years caused me to become engaged in advocating for voting rights and various social justice causes. Now 50 plus years later I find the same causes for which I advocated then still denied to too many. I cannot believe that we are still engaged in this struggle which to me seems so righteous and just. I find the denial of voting rights to be among the most insidious forms of suppression of basic human rights and dignity. It disgusted me over 50 years ago and angers me today. To think I am still engaged in this struggle without a final victory yet more than 50 years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act saddens me greatly.

I remind myself, though in frustration, that the national activation and mobilization of literally millions of demonstrators in the streets of our nation and our legislative halls have always been required to achieve progress in social justice. We cannot simply depend on our legislators to do the right and moral thing. It seems they must be pushed and pushed again. It is again time to activate and mobilize millions in this cause again, as our legislators once more seem to be ignoring the will of the people. Time to rise up yet and demand the will of the people is represented in our legislatures. Let the peoples' voices be heard.

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Frederick's avatar

This is such a powerful and moving piece about this day in history. Our history. A story of Alabama. I wonder how to change this story. Together, we must make a new story.

“You must be the change you would like to see in this world”

This quote is attributed to Mahatma Gandhi. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., drew inspiration from Gandhi, and studied his principles of non-violence. imho, these principles involve all aspects on one’s life, including speech and action, thinking and intention.

I feel I need to bring to the community our speech and intention, with people with whom we disagreeing views.

* I want to apologize to the community and take back my biting words that I have written on this board, about conservatives and people who follow Donald Trump. I feel shame that I have fallen into the violence of the Pettis Bridge, with my own hateful speech. I have long admired Gandhi, King and Rosa Parks, and all who have fought a far greater struggle in life than I, in the journeyfor a kind and gentle heart, let alone peace in their world and the world we share.

How can we ever expect to have a less violent world - and in our own personal life - if we cannot stop the violence that comes from our own pen, and therefore our mind. We simply will not cross the bridge to the world we desire if we cannot accept and welcome the stranger.

In the spirit of free speech, I welcome anyone to express themselves in the manner one chooses. However, there is ample evidence in history that free speech does NOT lead to freedom. Liberation comes from within. I feel this requires courage, and support from others.

I ask you to join me in gently reminding others in our community to reach within for words that welcome, and acknowledge our habitual speech of aggression.

I ask for your support in our journey across our own Pettis bridge.

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