"The most effective answer to this leadership vacuum would be a new era of political activism by ordinary citizens. The biggest, most far-reaching changes of the past century — the labor movement, the civil rights movement, the women’s movement — were not primarily the result of elective politics, but rather the hard work of committed citizen-activists fed up with the status quo. It’s time for thoughtful citizens to turn off their TVs and step into the public arena. Protest. Attend meetings. Circulate petitions. Run for office. I suspect the public right now is way ahead of the politicians when it comes to ideas about creating a more peaceful, more equitable, more intelligent society."
- Bob Herbert, New York Times columnist. (Source: The New York Times, January 25, 2007)
We made an interesting observation the other night at one of the small groups...four of the seven members will be voting in the next presidential election! My observation suggests that most high school students are checked out when it comes to the kinds of changes that Bob Herbert writes about...thinking falsely that they don't have the power or influence to make a difference. I could not disagree more. Even before you are eligible to vote, you have a voice. And how can anyone expect to be an informed voter on the day they turn 18 if they have not already been made aware of important issues and sought for creative solutions to the problems we face.
May we be a group of Christian contemplative activists! Jesus followers who pray dilegently, and then rise to act with compassion and truth and mercy!
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