I honestly believe that if we all focused more on
action over debate,
and service over leadership and politics,
we would not only see the changes we want to see in our world,
Because it is as relevant today as it was when I wrote it this time of year three years ago, I would like all to revisit this essay:
Rise up Hip Hop Nation: Making 2007 the Year of Sustainable Change
EXCERPT:
In it I state:
On the eve of a new year, I'd like to begin by offering peace and respect to everyone everywhere. While many are celebrating the holiday season, many more are suffering. Some are reflecting on the year gone by, while others are just praying the New Year will bring new possibilities for joy, peace, sustenance and justice. This is the time of year for reflection on the past and resolutions for the future. For me, this annual process led me to important questions. How can we make 2007 the year of sustainable change? What concrete steps can we take to address what ails our communities and our global village more broadly? Wherever we are in life, whether blessed or oppressed, affluent or struggling, the condition of the global village will directly affect us all sooner or later, and it is in our best interest to work towards sustainable change.
The first thing we must do is realize that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. We can no longer wish for better and act the same, maintaining status quo by default. To get out of the hell that corporate greed, concentrated power, western imperialism, religious fanaticism, and “ideology over reality” have created, we must get specific about what it will take to realize people power. "It is not enough to be compassionate, you must act" (14th Dalai Lama, 1992). And here are a few specific things you can do:
1. Pick one local issue and one global issue that you will educate your self about and stay informed!
2. Join two organizations
3.
4. Sign at least one petition a month.
5. Recognizing that all media is framed (left/right, conservative/liberal), get your news from multiple media sources. By doing this, you will learn to separate facts from ideology.
6. Attend three community meetings or rallies a year or volunteer at community service centers at least three times a year.
7. Be a conscious consumer.
8. Vote.
9. Make a sincere effort to communicate across class, color and generational lines.
10. FORGIVE.
The essay goes into more detail for each point, so please go to the title link above to read it in its entirety.
1 comment:
Thanks for always finding the time to challenge and inspire those around you. Your words are definitely on point as we enter a new decade.
PEACE
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