Getting Ready for South Africa and the Carolina Choclate Drops

Going to South Africa has always been one of those things that I have dreamt about and to know that I am going on Tuesday is just crazy. Reflecting about what it will mean to be in a majority black country that is still controlled by the people who first colonized and created apartheid due to economic decisions and the reason I am going is to attend a International Labor Organization meeting in Johannesburg on the African Social Economy. I am blessed to be a part of the coordinating committee of the US Solidarity Economy Network for what it could mean for the US and the World and for the opportunity to go. Deciding what to pack for a safari, international meeting, Cape Town and the Apartheid Museum is a bit much but I think I am up to the challenge. The plane takes off on Tuesday at 6 am EST from Knoxville, we stop in DC and then NYC and finally get to Johannesburg on Wednesday morning at 8:45 am. I don't think it has finally suck in yet since there is so much school work and Highlander work to do but i am sure it will sink in soon.

On a side note the Carolina Chocolate Drops were incredible tonight and it is always a pleasure and foot stamping time seeing, singing and dancing to and with them!!!

Kids Playing

As I think about last weekend and the mini Seeds of Fire Camp that we did in Knoxville for young people and adult allies in East Tennessee and wonder what learning will come from this experience sometimes the little things are the ones that stick out in your mind. Watching kids play is always an incredible experience and makes you remember when you used to play outside or in the house hoping that your mom wouldn't yell at you to not break anything or to stop playing all together. Watching 13-18 year old young people play hide and go seek in a church on the surface seems kind of trite. Realizing that for these young people this is the first time they have played hide and go seek in years and the first time that they were not worried about repurcussions not from their mother but from bullets, knives, or fists. Watching them run around the church knowing that no matter if they won or lost they would be safe is something special in iteself. I often wonder if what we are doing makes any difference and people like for us to quantify why the work we do matters. I would love to just post a picture of the teens playing hide and go seek and the rapture on their faces as they run down the hall and the look of pure joy knowing that no matter what here in this space they are loved, cared for and free.

Finding Saneness in an Insane World

What does it mean to be sane? What does it mean to be compassionate, loving, and understand the world through the guize of reason? I was just speaking with Melanie Morrison, the amazing co-director of the Leaven Center in Michigan, about our experiences at the Southern Faith and Labor Community Alliance gathering that took place in Memphis, TN a couple of weeks ago. That gathering was so amazing but also really pointed out why I remain UU (for the most part) and have not found as of yet a black church home. Throughout all of the pain, struggle, unhappiness, and grief that I often feel in the UU church and movement I at least know that most of the UUs around me wish for a world in which all of our humanity is appreciated, loved and respected.

I have yet to understand how people can look at someone and deny their humanity based upon characteristics that are unchangeable and bestowed upon them by God, their parents, or whatever else you believe our personhood comes to us. I admit I have my struggles around people that smell on purpose or people that purposely want to look bad, but I generally try to find their humanity behind their awful stench or clothes. Where is the love ya'll, where is it?