The Resistant Activist
When we were children, our mother taught us compassion,
showed us how to reach out to those in need (it might have been free day care,
staying at our house, or giving of any surplus we had of food). As an adult, when I taught CCD, in a rural
community outside Albany, I talked to my students about Lent. The lesson I gave
was to be reminded of the children who lived in Albany who had much less than
them, and what did it mean to sacrifice.
The children were asked to give up something that they possessed, and we
would give these items to children in Albany. They were to be guided by their
parents. (Did not want them giving away something that maybe their parents
would not approve.) Every child had a
reason for what they contributed: a
favorite piece of clothing, money earned from chores, a favorite toy. We then made arrangements to actually visit a
south-end neighborhood ministry in Albany (1970’s). The parents and children walked away with a
feeling of gratitude, and some families continued to keep in touch and pen pals
were formed.
Also, as an adult I walked and protested with the Migrant
Farmworkers, JP Stevens Boycott, and Vietnam, and worked on many political
campaigns, arrested several times for “Good Trouble”. I brought that knowledge and shared at my
ministry at the Oswego Newman Center. I was always compassionate but never an
activist. I had mentors that led me there. Returning to New York in 2001 from
my twenty-year stint in Massachusetts, I took a step back, resisted religion,
political protests, and engaging in any of my past passions. I did work six years at the CNY United Way as
an Information and Referral Specialist and Volunteer Manager for area
businesses. Yet, I was a resistant activist.
The world bothered me, but I resisted activism.
Around 2006, I went “church shopping.” I really did not care what religion if I felt
at home. I tried Saint Augustine’s a few
times, but there was no connection. One
Sunday morning, I was invited by some friends to a special gathering and Father
Tom had just arrived. People were
friendly and I liked some of what I heard. I was not going to get involved, the
church pew was comfortable.
One Sunday, Father Tom spoke of people who called the parish,
and they were not sure of the community resources. Feeling guilty, I approached Fr. Tom and said
I have done this as an I & R specialist and Social Worker, how can I help? Dave Babcock, shortly after, that took me out
for coffee and asked about my interest. The rest is history.
I now walk the streets of Syracuse with the OG’s Against
Violence, take part in political phone banks, I am active in SAM (social action
ministry), participate in our racism education and discussion, attend protest
rallies when I can, write and call my local elected officials when I know that
a bill needs to change, go ahead, or disappear. Maybe I needed that time for
reflection, prayer and to recharge my soul.
Maybe that was the “desert.”
What is your resistance?
Want to talk about it? Love to
hear about your beliefs no matter what side of the political aisle. It is through discussion and conversation we
learn to understand each other.
Lucretia H.
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