Showing posts with label Make Poverty History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Make Poverty History. Show all posts

Monday, January 21, 2008

Happy Birthday Dr. King-Global Day of Action Against Poverty Revisited


Image Source-Poor People's March on Washington-1967

The curse of poverty has no justification in our age. It is socially as cruel and blind as the practice of cannibalism at the dawn of civilization, when men ate each other because they had not yet learned to take food from the soil or to consume the abundant animal life around them. The time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total, direct and immediate abolition of poverty."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.


Today marks the official celebration of the National Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. holiday. I went through some of my old blogs and found the above quote. It could not be more compelling,especially in light of the "Global Day of Action Against Poverty" celebrated a few months ago and the recent efforts by those in the White House,the Senate and the House of Representatives to come up with an economic stimulus package to ease the financial down swing many Americans are currently experiencing. Families are losing their homes and jobs are being outsource by corporations to foreign countries.Communities and individuals are in deep economic distress,while billions are spent on a mounting war.Some think we are on the brink of a recession.

The US is surprisingly in debt to China and other countries to the tune of millions. I know it's hard to believe. I was completely baffled when I first heard the announcement a few days ago.

There are many US citizens who feel that they have been thrown away and hung out to dry by the Washington Bureaucracy's current lack of concern for the poor and needy and its demonstrated favor towards the rich. It has been brought to light by the current unemployment rates,the status of health care and the failure to provide needed government assistance to those in disaster torn areas such as the residents of New Orleans and the broader Gulf Coast.

The struggle for economic justice rages on in this country.If Dr. King were alive to witness the state of financial affairs today,I believe he would be happy on the one hand,since inroads have been made into the wealthy social strata by a significant,but arguably insubstantial percentage of the historically underprivileged.However,I feel he would be more dismayed that there has been no remarkable narrowing of the divide between the poor and rich. In fact,some believe it has gotten wider with the systematic erosion of the middle class brought about by brutal economic policies of the current administration.


It was reported that the congress,Democrats and Republicans are scurrying around Washington,"hopping like bunnies",if they have to in an effort to push through some kind of workable plan to get the US on its feet.One journalist reported that it appeared almost like a"love fest",with members of each party making sincere efforts to work together.

On that note,I'd like to dedicate a blog containing a poem I wrote entitled "Love is the Currency".There is little doubt in my mind that we need love now more than ever to feed the hungry,house the homeless,care for the sick properly and to end the political partisan stagnation that creates the lack too many in our society currently face.

Yes. I say,continue to work together,Democrats and Republicans. If you're an independent,come with some ideas and answers as well. And,if you aren't missing any meals and live in the lap of luxury everyday,have some love and compassion for those who don't have much. Don't be stingy,fearful,haughty to share your resources,paying lip service only to the whole notion of "the pursuit of happiness" and the financial resources it requires to do the journey justice. Make your vote and influence count. Make poverty history.

Enjoy some music also and dedicate an uplifting song from one of the related playlists below to friend or,maybe even one of your congressional representatives.No. Itks not too "over the top".Go for it.And,remember,love is the currency.Please let it flow...

Happy Birthday,Dr. King.

Peace,

Cynthia

Related Blogs and Articles:

Protest Songs Sing Up!

Global Day of Action Against Poverty




Listening To:

Waiting On the World to Change

Protest Songs A La Social Observation

http://cynthiadwilson.blogspot.com/2007/06/airlift-ii-love-soother-mix.html#main

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Global Day of Action Against Poverty (Revised 11.3.07)


" Purple Dream Come True" Drawing by Cynthia D. Wilson

Today is the Global Day of Action Against Poverty.In recognition of this sentiment and in an effort to heighten perspective about the ravages of poverty around the globe,which has both spiritual and material consequences,I dedicate a poem which I wrote several years ago. Entitled "Love is the Currency", here is a link to the audio podcast and written introduction which is posted on "Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks-To Go", an abbreviated or take out version of this "Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks and Writes" blog.

As you read it, reflect on money and how this wonderful concept and tool has been and continues to be misused by some. As beautiful a resource money is and can be, it is frequently misused in our world as a tool of oppression and malevolent control.How people will sometimes do any and everything for the "almighty dollar", as the classic O'Jays song "For the Love of Money" goes "... People will lie,they will cheat...People don't care who they hurt or beat" sums up nicely this negative aspect of financial exchange, or stagnation,if you will. (Incidentally, the song was performed beautifully by Alicia Keys at the "Live Earth" concert in July at Giant Stadium.See a related article here. See a video of her coverage of that song which begins a medley of soulful social observation songs on Live Earth MSN video. Alicia also honors Bono,superstar rock musician who led the charge in this mammoth effort for debt relief, as well as the effort to fight AIDS in Africa.See that article here.)

What if the paradigm was shifted and it became "For the Money of Love"... instead. Maybe that tremendous debt that weighs down the progress of several underdeveloped countries across the continent of Africa would not have accumulated in the manner in which it did. There's also a strong possibility that it would now be more readily forgiven.

While my poem is somewhat introspective,I believe it is relevant in that it speaks to the truth of personal as well as global financial woes. Changing the world and offering meaningful solutions to its problems begins at home with each individual. Perhaps acknowledgment of a greater and higher system of currency in relation to resolving the scourge of poverty is the beginning of the path to reconciliation and a step in the right direction.There might actually be some benefit derived from shifting thinking patterns on money matters to the extent that the flow of love starts counting and adding up like never before.

Yes. It is of course a lot more complicated than this. But a shift in how we think about money could very well lead us on the path of progress out of a debt and poverty hole which has trapped many.Let's just say there is a lot of overlap here. As in "Let there be debt relief on earth,in Africa,etc. and let it begin with you."

I can think of so many occasions and so many times that I have witnessed a person or community suffer not because there was a lack of money,but because there was a lack of compassion on the part of persons or institutions having it in abundance. However, access to it was denied due to either bureaucratic or other forms of red tape.

Enjoy your day of Global Action Against Poverty! And,let it begin with you.Take some positive and constructive actions which demonstrate your care and concern for the "Debt Relief" in Africa campaign being led by One.org. In addition, be mindful about other issues of financial abuses and misuses which you observe on a daily basis in your own communities.

And remember, "Love is the currency. Let it flow!"

When and ever love flows as vibrantly as the colors spiraling up the stem of the flower drawing above, my "Purple Dream"(purple in the sense of high in aspirations, lofty,ornate and regal) will have indeed come true.

Peace,

Cynthia

Related Blogs:

www.heavieroctaves.org:Global Day of Action Against Poverty

Friday, June 8, 2007

www.heavieroctaves.org: Live 8-The Long Walk to Justice

















Photo Source

Today with the Live Earth concert a little less than a month away,I was reminiscing about "Live 8",the global concert organized by Bono and Bob Geldolf to make poverty history in July 2005. I attended the show in Philly . I even got a chance to conduct a few interviews of people who traveled near and far to catch the concert. I also have the T-shirt which frequently adorns my upper body.I got one of the rare tie-dyed editions from a local street vendor,probably home grown. And,I love it!

Anyway,this blog will likely be written in two installments. Maybe three. I have a lot to say about poverty, making it history, the world of benefit concerts and awareness raising,which I now call "perspective heightening" out of homage to a friend. By the way, the "Live Earth Concert in the New York City area will be held on July 7,2007 at Giants Stadium.Click here for more information.

I will return soon with a little something to say about "Live Earth". Hopefully,I'll be providing the story through the lens of a backstage observer, music lover and social activist a la life poet. I will explain what that is one day. Promise.

This is just an article to get your thought wheels turning. What does it really take to make positive change in the world? Will heightening perspective and raising levels of awareness really do it? Are global concerts the way to go?

Anyway,enjoy the read which was posted on the Heavier Octaves blog on Friday,June 3,2005:

www.heavieroctaves.org: Live 8-The Long Walk to Justice

Have a good weekend.

Peace,

Cynthia

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