Maybe We Can Do More

 Thanks to Greg Williams for these thoughts:

It was a strike of mostly Black sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee. Martin got there by accident.  A freak accident and bad working conditions got workers killed.  A strike was called. Martin was called but he was planning  a Poor People's Campaign, and he was tired.  SCLC would send some one...   They wanted Martin to stand with them and he did.  Today he would be standing with Unions again if he were here.  Just like 1968, in our world today there is a lot of unrest all over the place.

We should not be ignoring the signs of our time. If John Woolman could speak to us today, it would be to remind us that it is still the economy. Part of what Martin said the day before he died is:
"...The issue is injustice. The issue is the refusal of Memphis (or Wisconsin) to be fair and honest in its dealings with public servants, who happen to be sanitation workers.  Now, we've got to keep attention on that... Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness.  Let us stand with a greater determination.  And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be.  We have an opportunity to make America a better nation."

So While there are interesting things happening in Egypt, the Middle East, and elsewhere,  we have a drama here that demands our attention as well.  We ought to be making noise as Quakers, as spiritual people, as men and women interested in Justice. I find it interesting that folks from Egypt and elsewhere are sending Pizza to demonstrators here in the United States.  They understand the links and are reaching out in support.  We can send pizza as well,  but maybe...we ought to do more? This ought to be a buzz on facebook, a buzz in letter to the editors, a buzz to City Councilors, State Reps. and up the chain to  President Obama..

If we fail to act on this concern today it will be back tomorrow in greater force.  CUT THE WAR BUDGET SEND THE MONEY HOME TO OUR STATES!  The one thing we can"t afford to do is ...nothing.