Missing College-y Things? Weird.

Here are some of the social justice/human interest resources we shared with each other over retreat. Or rather, these are two things I learned about (the book) and promoted (the website) during retreat. If you are in any way remotely interested in the prospect of world peace, a better planet, or fair and equal treatment for every human being, you should check these out.


The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear - edited by Paul Rogat Loeb, this collection of essays give examples of what keeps people going in rough times. My favorite essay, "Jesus and Alinsky," by Walter Wink is about the use of irony to reveal corruption and gives a reinterpretation of the message to "turn the other cheek"--one that isn't about acting like a doormat to be walked over.

ted.com - I'm personally addicted to this website and it's delightful talks. It's not social justice-y per se, but instead includes talks on a myriad of topics that tend to touch on something in the social realm.

greencitymarket.org - a year round farmer's market! Yay for LOCAL food. Organic food is usually a good bet as well, but local is more than likely fairly organic already and leaves far less of a carbon footprint if you consider the energy it takes to ship organic produce around the world.

We also each brought an article about an issue that speaks to us. We had articles ranging from homelessness/housing issues to childhood prostitution/sex trafficking to the food movement to the treatment of immigrants to....well, you get the idea.

Add to that our recent trend of listening to NPR, and you've got my head full of current events and thinking about the world much like I did back in Sr. Sally Ann's Povery & Social Justice class last year. I liked that season of my life. This feels good.