The Spirit was among us these past two weeks when Zoomers gathered to discuss Systemic Racism and the inequities that abound among the poor—two “hot buttons” in the Poor Peoples Campaign. Referring to a document preempted from the Declaration of Fundamental Rights and Moral Agenda, the Zoomers had ample material for thoughtful discourse.
We first zeroed in on discrimination that we ourselves had witnessed and/or personally experienced. Though much progress has been made in this area, we recognize that many issues have yet to be resolved. Racial discrimination wears many faces and dons an array of robes. At its heart is distrust and misunderstanding.
Ultimately, Zoomers acknowledged that we, as members of our Villa Community, are among the “people of privilege.” A much larger population faces an uphill climb out of generational poverty. Their problems come in many guises, at the forefront of which is the basic right to vote. Problems such as redistricting and preempted or nullified voting rights are direct attacks on our democracy that strip the poor and disadvantaged of legitimate privileges.
Our Founders penned a Constitution that promised to “…promote the general Welfare and secure the blessings of Liberty” for all Americans. Despite this, many citizens of today lag far behind in the realization of this promise. Issues such as a living wage commensurate with the economy and equal pay for equal work claimed our attention as we zeroed in on some of the realities that face the working poor.
How then can we, Zoomers at the Villa, enter this dialogue in a meaningful way? What can we do to help? The Poor People’s Campaign demands that we step up and secure an end to such injustices.
Several practical ideas merged as we discussed the issues of systematic racism, poverty, and inequality:
- Establish integrated conversational groups to strengthen mutual respect and understanding, discuss racial problems, and form possible solutions.
- Sign and mail/call in the petition for Mail-in Voting distributed with our meeting materials.
- Recognize the Villa as a voting power structure and promote interest in voting.
- Support the SSJ Welcome Center in their effort to prepare immigrants for citizenship. Stress the value of their right to vote. Designate use of donations for a specific social justice cause.
- Contact PA senator and representatives and urge them to vote for the minimum wage bill.
Though we have resolved to come up with practical suggestions in the coming weeks, the ongoing inequities in our society will not be solved until people begin to know and trust one another. In the Spirit we strive toward this end.
