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Union Days 2007

Submitted by admin on Fri, 03/07/2008 - 18:52.

 

                                                                                                                                                       October 18, 2007
 
Union Theological Seminary “Union Days” October 10th-12th -07 Report Back
C.C. Union Poverty Initiative
C.C. Mr. Art Trotman
                                                                                                                    Jean Rice
 
In the past few years, I have had the pleasure of attending some “Union” classes. I have also attended and participated in several extra-curricular events. All of this has led me to believe that I know something about what unions basic creedo is, where its core values stem from, and as evidenced by members of the Union communities involvement in major “Picture The Homeless” campaigns, such as “Friend of Potters Field”, as well as others.
 
Accordingly, it was an honor and a pleasure to be part of “Union Days”2007.
On Thursday, October 11th, I attended the morning plenary with a panel consisting of Sisters, Traci West and Cornelia Fulkrug Weitzel. I was very impressed with the presentation of Sister West. The passion she brings into her social justice message is evident, when you hear her speak.
 
After this plenary, I went to lunch, and returned to Union at about 4:00PM to join Mr. Art Trotman, for the Keynote speech of Professor Jeffery D. Sachs.
 
A couple of years ago, I had written a short piece on the book written by Mr. Sachs “The End of Poverty.” I was impressed by the smoothness and ease with which Professor Sachs made his presentation, using visual images, such as photos; graphs; pie charts and bars, to demonstrate key points. It was like a class in how to give a presentation 101.
 
I got the sense that Professor Sachs no longer is an advocate for strict Neo-Liberal economics, although he still considers himself to be a free-market economist. More than once during his presentation, he referred to the Scandinavian nations; Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, and their mixed economic model as a desirable approach, as a model to be followed.
 
In my own research, I have often compared these nations’ concepts of nationalized education and medical care to that of Cuba’s; and wondered why socialism is a positive thing as long as the people on the receiving end are not third world, people of color.
 
Some basic statistics that Professor Sachs brought forth are noteworthy:
1.        1 million children die per year from disease that could be treated for twenty cents per day!
2.        Five hundred million children are currently infested with worms!
3.        Ten million children under five (5) years old die of preventable, curable disease every year. In some African nations, this means that 160 out of every thousand children don’t live to see their 5th birthday!
4.        Professor Sachs stated that in Kenya, death reduction by forty percent had transpired, due to the use of bed nets.
 
Professor Sachs also conceded that most of these problems require Geo-political solutions. This I submit is no surprise to me. I have long maintained that centralized government almost always results in exploitation and despotism--- This is why I am an advocate of participatory democracy! There must be an element of transparency in policy-making, from the grass-roots upward, in order for true democracy to flourish!
 
Even when new so called democratic governments are established as in present day Brazil, under its 13th constitution, we must pay careful attention, lest we witness DEMOCRACY SUBVERTED!
 
In Current Brazil, pursuant to the constitution of 1988, the right to property is guaranteed, and it is required that all land be used for the benefit of society. But still land ownership is highly concentrated—with one percent of the population holding more than half of the land.
The question is who is in control of this “National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform”?
 
Who monitors them? And who are they accountable to? Ten years ago, the world bank created a market-based land reform project called “The Cedula Da Terra” (Land Title) operation in the North Eastern Brazilian states of Bahia, Ceara Pernambuco, Marahao—funded by a 90 million dollar world bank loan, plus 60 billion from Incra and state government. My point in digressing is that I still don’t agree with Professor Sachs that increased funding results in decreased poverty and death rates—Grass-roots people MUST stamp out corruption and Exploitation!
 
For two years now< I have been trying to get to Bahia Salvador to monitor the distribution of these funds- this land reform is truly historic. However, unlike Professor Sachs, I have no financial resources, still I would like to witness with my own eyes; hear the voice of the people with my own ears; take my own photos; and do my very own objective evaluation. I still firmly believe that economic hypocracy will not solve poverty!
 
Here in the richest nation in the world, there are over twenty (20) major cities, according to the National Conference of Mayors, where housing and hunger needs are going unmet! Are we to think that the people of color in Bahia, Brazil are faring much better?
 
The global status-quo still maintain Keynesian economic theory for the rich, wherein, governments intervene to grant tax breaks and incentives to build unaffordable housing, while employing their own selected work force to maintain their disproportionate share of our nations vast resources! And at the very same time the masses are asked to maintain themselves by adhering to Adam Smith’s INVISIBLE HAND!
 
It now appears that Professor Sachs has moved out of the “Washington Concensus” camp and started to contemplate placing PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS!
 
Friday, October 12th, 2007: 2:00 Workshop. ---
“Poor People Organizing To End Poverty”
Rodgers and Jean panel members, representing Picture the Homeless, joining us in our workshop was a group representing workers who clean Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md., who have just recently won a living wage increase; also a representative front xi drivers in Philadelphia, Pa.; as well as a lady from Michigan, where the privatization of water continues to be a major problem.
 
Rodgers and I stressed the problem of breaking through the barriers of apathy, polarization and indifference! In order to sustain a campaign resulting in positive change, the change-seeking agents must first; (a) Identify and quantify the problem. (b) Who has the power to make positive change possible? (c) Organize and mobilize a campaign directed at these persons to entice them to either create policy or change the existing ones towards your desired objectives.
 
IT IS NEVER ADEQUATE, JUST TO HOLD ROUND-TABLE MEETINGS. WHERE WE SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES MERELY EXCHANGE SOB STORIES!
 
Rest assured, absent some profound action plan, a change will never come. As Frederick Douglass said “Power concedes nothing without a struggle.” We, my sisters and brothers must organize and mobilize; mobilize and organize; and then continue to repeat the process, until justice rolls down like a mighty stream!
 
The Poverty Truth Commission—Friday, October 18th, 2007 4:00 PM
It is my belief that the “South African” Truth Commission, is the truth commission model that we at Union seek to emulate. The healing and reconciliation process within this concept, based upon remorse and redemption are key and vital to the overall scheme of the premise.
 
In all of the truth commission held at Union that I have borne witness to, there has been a lack of attendance by members of the status-quo. I ask you, Where are those who have taken part in the decision-making process that has caused so much pain, so much suffering; and all too often, even death? Where is their remorse? Where is their measure of true repentance? How can there ever be reconciliation without remorse or repentance?

 

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