| I've been thinking a lot about voting lately. As many of you know, the organization for which I am working, the Alice Paul Institute, is the home of Alice Paul, founder of the National Women's Party, author of the Equal Rights Amendment, who was instrumental in having the 19th Amendment-- granting women the right to vote-- passed in 1920. In order to gain the vote, she was jailed, placed in solitary confinement, went on hunger strike for three weeks, and was force-fed, permanently damaging her trachea, before being released. Working at her home, Paulsdale, has been incredibly rewarding. While I do spend a lot of time on my own, working in the library, I have spent time getting to know the fantastic and passionate women who work there, as well as enjoying time with fourth graders. We teach them all about equality, voting, suffrage, and-- thank you, Jesus-- non-violence. One little boy, when asked what suffrage meant, said, "Having your voice heard no matter how different you are from everybody else." That was my first day; I cried a little bit. I cried, because in this small way, I've joined the fight that so many have risked their lives to be apart of-- Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, Sojourner Truth, Carrie Chapman Catt, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Ida B. Wells. And those are just the women. Let's not forget the Civil Rights Movement- Dr. King, Stokely Carmichael, Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and so many members of SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) and SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference). I cried, because, through this small step, I'm helping to peel the scales of injustice and prejudice from the eyes of another generation. This is kingdom work. I believe that the heart of the gospel is equality, and, in promoting equality, I am continuing the work that Jesus Christ began. So, you really can't be at an organization that promotes voting and such without thinking of it in a different light. I have a few expatriate friends, who refuse to vote, because they don't consider themselves Americans and refuse to take part in the system. I then tell them to stop their bitching and move out of the country, rather than reaping the benefits of a country which they don't engage in. They do pay taxes, though, so I suppose that's OK. Anyway, I've come to further appreciate the privelege of voting, and the importance of it as our civic engagement. I'm not going to stand here and preach to you about how God commands us to vote; I think the promotion of patriotism in our churches is quite shameful. Often, we worship the flag more than the cross. However, no matter what reason I may stumble across, such as two inadequate candidtates (Bush v. Kerry), to keep myself from voting, it is the memory of Alice Paul that pushes me into the voting booth. It's not something that I can take for granted. Something else that I am trying not to take for granted is the representation of Christians in the media. When Jerry Falwell died, I was shocked at how few people actually knew who he was. I need to know how I, as an evangelical (whatever that may mean), am being represented to people of another or no faith. Sojourners, a faith-based political movement which I ardently support, recently hosted a conference called Pentecost 2007. They hold this conference every year, partnering with Call to Renewal. I was a baby, and didn't want to go to DC by myself, and missed out on the sweet student discount, so when I found out that my friend, Rachel, was going, I was stuck here. However, their headline conference was a open forum about faith and politics with the Democratic candidates-- John Edwards, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton. As you may know, I am a registered Democrat, and so I was incredibly eager to see what each of these stellar candidates had to say regarding their faith. It was broadcasted on CNN during "The Situation Room," moderated by Soledad O'Brian, with questions from Rev. Jim Wallis (founder of Sojourners), the Sojo.net questions, and a panel of distinguished guests. Each candidate was asked questions regarding their prayer life, their faith journey, and a question regarding a hot-button moral issue in the forthcoming election-- poverty, abortion, war, energy/environment, and education, to name a few. Each candidate was amazing. I went in being a hard-core Barack supporter, and I came out not quite sure who I liked best. I'd be happy to see any of these candidates occupying the Oval Office, and I hope that one will. However, my observations from the forum are as follows. I think that we're on the cusp of a major political movement within our country to bridge the gaps between Democrat and Republican. We're moving towards reconciliation, partnering together despite our difference, to finally do something, rather than remaining in the prideful political deadlock in which we currently find ourselves. And praise Jesus for that. For once, we can put our differences behind us, join hands-- Democrat, Republican, black, white, men and women alike-- to come together for some meaningful and lasting change. So thank you, Capital Hill. Now... why can't the church be more like that? Why can't we begin to move forward, recognizing equality of men and women, of all colors and races, of all economic situations, of all backgrounds, and finally do something for the Kingdom of God, rather than refusing to work with one another due to petty differences regarding interpretation? Isn't this the way that the Body of Christ should work? Strengths and weaknesses make up for each other, each has a different yet equally important and significant part to play. Without each part, nothing could be done. Why can't we recognize that, recognize the value of one another, appreciate that, and do something for once-- actually be the incarnation rather than holding each other at arms length? We forget the sacrifices of those who have gone before us, sacrifices made in the name of love and equality, and live a life of self-indulgence, pride and selfishness. Christ, let us remember them, and most of all, let us remember You. |
