Witness and Accompaniment


https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/02/22/may-justice-take-root/

A Reflection on the Following Questions:  

What suffering are you called to witness? 

How are you being called to respond?  

How can you better accompany and stand with those whose experiences differ from yours, particularly those impacted by injustice?

 

 

For many weeks I have walked with Clifford Ryan (On the Ground with the OGS, OGS Against Gun Violence). We have walked through neighborhoods that many will not even drive through. My first impression was the broken sidewalks and it certainly was not like the orderly, lily-white neighborhood I live and work in. The jail-like atmosphere of the housing projects, the lack of flowers and trees, nothing but cement.

 

It was more than the South side.  It was the North side and West side; we have walked them all.

 

We stopped and prayed for the victims of shootings and listened to the families of those victims, who mourned for their loved ones, some young and gone too soon.  Each location we stopped at of a shooting reminded me that I needed to learn more. I was moved by the solidarity of everyone and Clifford welcomed those of us white humans who were guests and thanked us for our support.

 

There is such a need to help Clifford to involve and educate our younger generation, giving them hope and direction. 

 

It opened my eyes to the violence.  My thoughts were this was all about drugs, but it was not.  It was about hopelessness, mental illness. poverty, education, and a struggle to be seen.

 

I cried my way home and vowed I would support Clifford's efforts wherever I can. I can educate and expose my fellow white humans to my brothers and sisters of color and the struggles that are daily and how we all got to this point. I can incorporate when I can, pieces of what I have experienced. I can invite others to walk and pray with Clifford.

 

Lucretia H.

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