Yesterday, I struggled with the same feelings he must have felt. I wrestled with the hesitancy to step outside of my comfort zone. I faced the demon of apathy. I felt the tension people feel when they believe they have no power to make a difference in their lives and the community.After much prayer, introspection, and searching of the scriptures; I came to the conclusion that "enough is enough." No longer will I stand on the sidelines waiting for someone to take on the mantle of leadership within our community. No longer will I criticize and ostracize others for what they did or didn't do.
Along with my fellow clergy persons, I stepped out on faith with the belief that there is a better way. Persons within the community are seeking an outlet for their voice. Persons in the community desire a better way of life. Persons in the community have power when they are organized.
Today we took action!
We demonstrated that you can deliver over 800 hundred people in a public action to address the conditions that impact them. We demonstrated that the church is not only a place of worship, but also a place of empowerment.
We marched in an orderly manner to the State Center Project to express our demands, "That Everybody wants a job!"
WBAL-TV11 recorded the action. Through their lens the people in power and the people within the city were able to see that the residents are organized and have the support of the faith community to press their claims for full employment. You would have been proud of our people. They operated in a civil, but forceful way. They were heard throughout the State House and City Hall. As we continue this movement for justice and jobs, their voices will echo to the White House and Wall Street. America has to put its people to work. The State of Maryland has to insure that local residents obtain the jobs funded within their local communities. The City of Baltimore must insist that public investment requires public participation in the benefits derived. "Everybody wants a job!"
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