Beyond the information age Roger Wiemers Social Justice: Beyond the information age Roger Wiemers

faith-based organizations governments civic groups individuals Out of the 1850’s coming from Catholic texts and other faiths – “all members of society should have equal benefits and opportunities.” Who is involved? faith-based organizations governments civic groups individuals Pachamama Alliance

Reflecting from a different perspective

“In the professional world of writing, we view with caution, even suspicion, the appearance of the personal, and lend a higher accent of legitimacy to models and skills, theory, well-documented case studies, and the technical application of theory that leads toward what we feel is the objectivity of conclusion and proposal. In the process, we do a disservice to our professions, to the building of theory and practice, to the public, and ultimately to ourselves. The disservice is this: When we attempt to eliminate the personal, we lose sight of ourselves, our deeper intuition, and the source of our understandings – who we are and how we are in the world. In so doing we arrive at a paradoxical destination: We believe in the knowledge we generate but not in the inherently messy and personal process by which we acquired it.” Lederach, John Paul (2005)

“Social justice is a concept that involves providing equity, respecting cultural diversity, promoting justice for the oppressed, eliminating the marginalization of certain individuals and groups, and aiming toward an overarching goal of understanding each other which will instill societal hope. All of these phrases are admirable, if not, utterly necessary in a society as pluralistic as found in North America. Survival as nations and societies is dependent upon fast, even steps toward realistic social justice.” Wiemers, 2011

Tree of Life

“…the only real revolutionary is a person who has nothing to lose.” Martin Luther King Jr.

“Fear causes a kind of contraction of the heart “Fear causes a kind of contraction of the heart. As such, it inhibits actions such as love, hospitality, risky mission, and generosity. For instance, by imagining some future evil, fear draws us in on ourselves so that we refuse to ‘extend’ to people or causes that require sacrifice and risk.” Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch

“…every day I live I am more convinced that the waste of life lies in the love we have not given, the powers we have not used, the selfish prudence that will risk nothing and which shirking pain, misses happiness as well.” English Novelist – Mary Cholmondeley

“It costs so much to be a full human being that there are very few who have the enlightenment or the courage to pay the price. One has to abandon altogether the search for security and reach out to the risk of living with both arms outstretched. One has to embrace the world like a lover. One has to accept pain as a condition of existence. One has to court doubt at the cost of knowing. One needs a will stubborn in conflict but apt always to total acceptance of every consequence of living and dying.” Morris West

“Cautious, careful people always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world’s estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathy with despised and persecuted ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences.” Susan B. Anthony

So, what is Social Justice today for Roger…..?? - Perspective Consciousness - Presence - Persistent Action

My questions to you: How do we allow risk in our own lives/hearts so that we might reach rightful concern for equity? How do we instill “holy discontent” with the current condition without creating pessimism? With everyone having “skin in the game”, how do we as educators reveal our deepest identity and potential, and still keep a directors’ role in the learning process?

Orphans in India

Human trafficking - tamar

Students from lipscomb

Positive side

Negative side

Asma & simran

Your Questions for me…. ???