Wine Tasting, then more Adult Ed Theory
Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was an actual Epiphany, but I finally figured out what has been so hard to identify about Adult, Higher and Community Education and Social Justice. I am six years into this social justice, oppressor/oppressed platform and something about has never rung true for me. It wasn't something concrete that I could in fact shake my fist about or organize a protest or march or picket or sing, but tonight I figured it out. Social justice is wonderful, necessary and needed, but for a time. Where the Bible admonishes us to care for the widows and the orphans. Widows are expected to remarry or figure out a way to earn their keep or their former husband's family cares for them. Orphans grow up. You never hear someone say "Hi I'm Larry, I'm an orphan." They are helped when they are in need and then they grow up and move on. They don't stay at the orphanage forever, they move out. The same for social justice. When someone is down and out, they need help and they may need lots of it....but when they have recovered, they should be able to pick up and go on. Now before everyone gets all worked up....this is not a one-size-fits all statement. I know that there are people who for permanently disabled or totally defenseless. Those are not the people I'm talking about. I'm referring to the people who have had a disease or a bad thing happen to them, that can be moved through, cured from and then, they should carry on and help others .... the pay it forward mentality. If that's not social justice then perhaps I'm on the wrong course, but that sits better with my mores and perceptions. I hope it's right....and now I have to help Dennis figure out something he can do for someone else.
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