channeling passions through class assignments.
the best kind of assignments are ones your are passionate about and can put your heart into. in “irish perspectives on the christian life,” we got to “choose a social justice issue in which the Christian community is negligent or even hypocritical,” and write about it as if we were writing to a newspaper or magazine. my “issue” was a bit unconventional, but hopefully conveys where my heart is on this matter.
I believe there are many social justice issues that the church needs to address. Homelessness, the welfare system, and gay rights are a few of the more prominent themes. But I believe there is a single issue that underscores the rest, and if we are able to tackle this issue first, remedying the rest will be simpler. This is the issue of dignity.
While this may seem like an unusual or abstract concept when discussing social justice, I believe it is a core essential. One of the reasons it is so hard for upper-middle class Caucasian Christians to reach out and connect with the homeless, the less fortunate, and those with different lifestyles is because we don’t give them the dignity they deserve and desire. When we give a homeless man money or a meal, yes, we are helping him, but we are also further defining ourselves as the “haves,” and he, the “have not’s.” These people want to feel like they also play a role in society that betters mankind.
There are hundreds of organizations dedicated to aiding the homeless, providing for the less fortunate, and bringing relief to those still recovering from disasters, such as Haiti and Katrina. But these organizations, while doing good, are also further establishing the line that separates the two classes of people. How are people supposed to feel empowered when they cannot even provide a meal for themselves or hold a steady job? In saying this, I am not advocating for or against gay rights or illegal immigration, but I am simply suggesting that we find ways to let these people become more contributing members of society.
I do not expect a nation-wide movement to arise and fix this “problem.” In fact, I hope that does not happen. Our world does not need one more philanthropic “cause” to promote or “movement” to endorse. Instead, I believe that this change can start with one person. Last year I visited downtown Chicago, and I shared a meal with a homeless woman. Listening to her story, I realized something. Not only did I have something to offer her, but she had something to offer me as well. This is a fundamental truth we need to recognize and understand in our society. People believe that the only things worth gaining are money, possessions, food, a job, or social status. But these people have things to offer that cannot be found on eBay or in a self-help book. They have wisdom. They have ideas. They have personal experience. We need to be willing to listen to what they have to say before we judge them or disregard their credibility. Allowing these members of our society to engage in these kinds of conversations as well as validating their existence will encourage them to get out of the detrimental cycle they’ve become accustomed to and be able to influence our culture in a positive way.
The Church can have a great influential role in bringing about this change. It will not take campaigns. It does not require people moving to other countries. It does not necessitate large amounts of funds. It starts with one person choosing to step out and engage in life with someone else—someone with whom they would not normally consider associating. The Church is called to love others, as Christ unconditionally loved us. We can show this love to others and develop personal relationships. This establishes a sense of credibility between the two, and in doing so, allows them to develop a symbiotic friendship, where both can learn from each another.
A great example of this is the story in the book, “The Same Kind of Different as Me.” The book tells the story of how the lives of Ron Hall, a wealthy art dealer from Texas, and Denver Moore, a homeless criminal from Louisiana, come together and forever change each other. Hall and his wife began volunteering at a homeless shelter once a week, and after several months befriended the cold-hearted and distant Denver. Over time, the two men became friends and started to develop a friendship. When tragedy struck Hall’s family, Denver played an essential role in helping him through his grief. Hall was comforted by Denver’s presence in his life, and for the first time in his life, Denver felt loved, needed, and wanted.
This story is just one example of how allowing the reciprocation of dignity can change society. It will take time and intentionality, but in the end, lives will be influenced and changed for the better. I believe that this purposeful approach to tackling social justice can be an effective change agent in a society that so desperately needs our help.
the site of st. patrick’s first church of ireland
