|
Notes from FUUSE Social Justice Committee Meeting, March 5, 2011
In Vigorous Attendance: Lorraine Petzy, Marion Mengert, Sylvia Foster, Polly Friedrichs, Ginny Berrien, David Weber, Frank Heffron, Skip Berrien, Alex McCullum, Bob Moore, Jim Schlough, Pat Yosha by email, Jim Webber (Devoted Leader and Scribe)
Gathering of the Spirit reading from Spiritual Literacy (page 246-247) by Ginny Berrien:
“Justice is like the Kingdom of God,” writes English novelist, George Eliot. “It’ s not without us as a fact; it is within us as a great yearning.”
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice every where.” Martin Luther King
“Justice and freedom live through our words and deeds.” “That’s what we’re here for: to make the world new. We know what to do: seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly, treat every person as though she were yourself.”
Jim’s Social Justice Mantra (Adapted from Stephen Brookfield, 2005)– “In the spirit of a democratic society trying to realize the values of freedom, fairness, justice and compassion, we shall:
- Challenge ideologies
- Contest hegemony
- Unmask power
- Overcome alienation
- Pursue liberation
- Reclaim reason
- Practice democrac
Top Ten Outrages (Group Listing)
1. Too much money in too few hands (Warren Buffet)
2. “If the practices of the market economy are left unquestioned, if the human factor is left out of account, human wellbeing and the environment will be under assault. If we were to make human flourishing and reduction of vulnerability the primary goal of our economies, we would have a project worthy of our best efforts.” (Statement of the Triglav Circle to the United Nations. (See Polly for more details.)
3. Attempted repeal of same sex marriage at the NH Statehouse.
4. The uncivilized debate on television
5. “Government for Sale”
6. “It is impossible to pull yourself up by the bootstraps anymore.”
7. American Shame, a comparative chart of advanced economies in the New York Times, 2/9/11, shows America as the “worst of the worst” in Income Inequality, Food Insecurity, Prison Population, and Student Performance in math. In the “worst” category America scored high in unemployment rate and low in life expectancy at birth.
“We need to learn these facts first as a congregation, before we advocate for change.”
I am impressed by how articulate the students were in demonstrating for reform in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. They lay claim a part of the planet.
8. Union bashing by state governments
Finding the truth in American political life is an issue. Good ways to do so: http://factcheck.org/ and better yet, http://www.politfact.com/
9. The tragic environmental aftermath of the BP Oil Spill
10. Locally, the deleterious health impact of unregulated “Outside Wood Burning” (OWB) furnaces
Organizing Our Work, Frank Heffron’s Proposal
Frank Heffron proposed an interesting approach to working on an issue. He was impressed by Jim Splaine's incremental building approach to gay rights since 1993 reported in Seacoast Sunday (2/27/11). He wants to find an aspect of economic justice in the early stages of the issue translation process (from emerging need to legislative action). He feels we can make better use of our limited resources early on rather than slug it out after the issue is on the public/legislative agenda. He suggests organizing a small limited task force or study circle to find a specific, early stage issue on which to focus our efforts.
Frank will try to organize such a task force to meet every two weeks.
David Weber traced our learning on taxation at the state level to create greater fairness in the tax burden and reduce income inequality. In his memo of February 12th he laid -out the following points:
1. NH, like the U.S., has a widely misunderstood and deeply flawed tax system. It is unfair, since it claims a higher proportion of low incomes than of high ones, apparently by a factor of four; and it is inadequate, as measured by the state's inability to carry out functions that are either necessary or else represent public sector investments from which the people of the state would broadly benefit. However the prevailing mythology (counter-factual version of events) is that the state tax system is not only not unfair nor inadequate, but rather represents a sound principle (minimal taxation for all) that has been violated by spendthrifts in Concord. Thus instead of trying to adjust the system in the direction of equity and public sector capacity, the majority of the legislature wants to eliminate the structural deficit by cutting spending--leaving the inequities in place and exacerbating the inability of the state to function as a collective community.
2. Persuading enough people that the mythology is a mythology is a daunting undertaking, but the alternative is defeatism.
3. One element in the mix is the widespread allegiance to The Pledge, which is seen by its supporters as a defensive bulwark against irresponsible spending. Originally (not very long ago) I thought that we should attack the Pledge and the property tax. While I would still be cheered by op-eds and letters and general advocacy along those lines, I now think that our organized effort should be along parallel but different lines.
4. In sum: NH needs, for starters, an estate tax (with an exclusion) and a capital gains tax. Such taxes would both directly address both prongs of the problem: they would make the system less regressive and would make the state's budget issues less acute.
a. Note the rich man's belief that he is entitled, that he is socially beneficial, and that he should be celebrated as a jobs engine and an exemplification of the American Dream, not penalized for his effort and skill. (See the Krugman columns Mark Patnaude sent.)
b. I note and share Frank Heffron's concern with education about the big (national) picture on the evil effects of extreme inequality. This will be an important theme for us, but (and) we really have to get it right.
Role of the Social Justice Committee- Skip Berrien’s Thoughts
The Justice Committee in Skip’s view provides spiritual nurturing and creates the conditions for members to find their own spiritual path towards social justice activism. The SJ Committee does not have to gain congregational endorsement around an issue position (often a source of divisiveness), but can focus on providing support and inspiration to individuals in their quests for justice. Skip’s and Alex’s role in CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is an example of individual effort within the context of FUUSE social justice.
“CASA volunteers are everyday citizens judges appoint to advocate for the safety and well-being of children who have been removed from their homes due to parental neglect and abuse. They stand-up for these children and change their lives.” (Source of quote: CASA website)
Action Steps
1. Frank Heffron with David’s assistance will select members and convene a bi-monthly task group on Income Inequality seeking innovate ways of participating in the early stages of issue development.
2. Children Issues – Skip and Alex will plan an early evening event to brief congregants on CASA.
3. Polly will develop more ideas on educating the congregation on social justice issues.
Posters, bulletin board, corner table in the community room at coffee hour, social justice from the pulpit
4. Housing- Marion will continue to publicize affordable and workforce housing developments
5. Ginny and Jim will prepare weekly briefs for EFFUSE newsletter
6. Jim will post these notes on the FUUSE website.
7. We meet again as a full committee on Saturday, April 2nd. We will continue the discussion of group vs. individual activism.
Ginny Berrien’s announcement for EFUUSE published 3/0/10
Social Justice Committee Notes
Meeting March 5, 2011
An engaged and enthusiastic group of 12 FUUSE members met bright and early Saturday morning. Our meeting began with a reflection on the nature of justice as a great yearning that lives within us and finds expression in our words and deeds.
Our discussions led to several action steps:
- Income Inequality in NH: Frank Heffron plans to convene bi-weekly task group, to seek ways of participating in the early stages of issue development.
- Children’s Issues: Skip Berrien and Alex McCallum will plan an evening event at FUUSE to brief congregants on CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).
- Education: Polly Friedrichs will develop ideas for educating committee members on current NH issues related to Social Justice.
- Housing: Marion Mengert will continue to update us on Exeter’s response to the housing needs of lower income individuals and the jobless.
|
