with their own weaknesses and infighting, choose, in spite of that, to look beyond their own problems to recognise and do something about the needs of another oppressed group. In doing so, these ordinary, vulnerable human beings find something of their true selves, the immortal diamonds within. They, and the group they choose to help, discover within themselves, the capacity to show compassion, to see beyond the stereotypes and prejudices, to identify with others who are, perhaps, not so different from themselves. And, in doing so, they make a stand for justice that has an impact.
So today, I wake up to a bright sunny morning, and wonder where that leaves me? Who are the oppressed and harassed individuals or groups whom I could get to know? The homeless guy I met in Earlsdon yesterday? The refugees and asylum seekers fleeing oppression in their own countries? People suffering the stigma of mental illness? What are the issues of injustice that I could be speaking out against? The blatant dodging of tax by some of our wealthiest citizens? The huge monopolies of multi-national corporations in food, pharmaceuticals, other commodities? The relentless drive by tobacco giants to sell their wares, ignoring the death and suffering that they are spreading?
The lists are endless, and that leaves me with a dilemma. Where do I start? Or is it all just too big?
Last week I came across a quote by PJ O’Rourke:
Everybody wants to save the world, but nobody wants to help mom with the dishes
Perhaps I can’t save the world, but I know I am good at doing dishes, so perhaps that’s where I’ll start (at least I would have done if Lois hadn’t got there first!)
