A Look Inside My Search

In a search for answers to the woes in my life, I found God. The truth that lies in knowing God for myself, placed me on a quest for peace. While on this journey, I have discovered that there are others seeking this truth also and that I can help. I have a Doctor of Ministry degree from Catholic Theological Union, not to rise above anyone, but to better serve everyone. I am on a journey towards peace, speaking truth that opens people up to God.

14 June 2007

Does Marching Work Anymore?

12 Jun 07 I celebrated my birthday in a uniquely different way. I joined a march on Chicago's Southside to protest the violence perpetrated against children. The march particularly focused on the 32 children who died as a result of some sort of violence this past school year. The march was organized by St Sabina's pastor Fr. Michael Pfleger. We marched from the church to 79th and Racine where we proceed west to Halsted, south to 76th, west back to Racine where we ended in King Park. We walked behind 31 caskets (the 32nd child had just been killed the night before) made by teenagers. I walked with mixed emotions as some people in the community just stared at us while others shouted out support and thanks. I kept thinking, what could this possibly mean to the people in this community -- especially since they are just staring at us: from porches, windows, bus stops, parked cars. Then I realized that perhaps we gave them hope. Perhaps we gave them the strength to press on. As we moved through the community, we stopped everything. People who had been interrupted from whatever they were doing, trying to get home, trying to get to work, etc. were stopped by us for just a moment and something beautiful happened. People applauded and others joined us. Children stopped playing to watch us and I wondered, "What does this mean to them?" One child even came up and asked, "When did all these children die?" Does marching work anymore? I know that I was changed. My participation in the march solidified for me the fact that together we can effect change.
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3 comments:

  1. Anonymous20 June, 2007 13:42

    I truly believe that marching does work. If not for the spectators, definitely for the participants. It forces them to move from inactive chatter about "doing something" to actually DOING SOMETHING. Marching moves people physically, and emotionally. It sparks that deeper sense of connection and commitment to the cause. And for the spectators.... some are filled with hope and inspiration. Others are often filled with a sense of guilt or shame for being part of the problem or perhaps just not joining in to fix it. But either way, it stirs the spirit and evokes some sort of emotion. Marching definitely heightens one's sense of awareness.

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  2. Anonymous03 July, 2007 12:08

    Marching does do some things as both you and andrea said. For me, the days I marched back in the 60's and once in the 90's made me aware of the evil we are confronting. The last time I marched was through the neighborhood behind Holy Angels to build community support against drugs and gangs. We were well protected by Alderwoman Pretwinkle(sp.???) and police escort. Otherwise, what protection could one have??? We met as a group in a small storefront church on 43rd St. right off of Cottage Grove. The people were hurting. Things did seem hopeless. Yet something very beautiful happened on the way home. It was after 9:00 p.m. at night. The three of us sisters started walking east on 43rd. As we reached the corner, a fine tall gentleman with his son stopped us to ask where our car was. We answered that we did not come with a car as we had expected the march to end closer to Holy Angels. This gentleman with his son walked us all the way home! He said to his son, "See, this is how you treat ladies." Hope shines beautifully in the darkness.

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  3. Anonymous10 November, 2008 09:29

    Great work.

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