January 28th 2024: Being an Advocate

A few weeks ago, we explored the world of protest songs, songs that aimed for change.  We'll extend that into the idea of being an advocate, speaking ("voc") to ("ad") issues of importance.  Adding one's voice to support something helpful or object to something harmful (or both), while remaining, in keeping with last week's perspective (thanks again, Mark), resilient throughout.
 
Readings have been sent separately to VIlma as well.)

The readings today are a collection of brief quotations by four people who have acted as strong advocates in the causes of justice, freedom, and peace. Their pictures are on the next powerpoint slide in the order you will hear from them.

John Lewis was a civil rights activist who led the march on what would come to be called “Bloody Sunday”.  In a commencement speech at Washington University, he recounted the challenges and violence he faced while also encouraging graduating students to persevere in bringing about change in the world.  These words are from that speech:

   “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.”

Next are the words of Malala Yousafzai, who we have featured in a Perspective(s) last year, the Pakistani advocate and activist for education, especially for girls, who has spoken world-wide in the cause of justice and progress for children everywhere.

       “When the world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.”

Michael J. Fox is a Canadian-American actor who starred in major television series and movies and who developed early-onset Parkinson’s disease. After some years of despondency and withdrawal, Fox changed his direction and became a prominent advocate for research into the cause of Parkinsons, and strong supporter of those suffering from its effects, present and future.

“I enjoy my work as an actor. But to make a difference in people's lives through advocacy and through supporting research - that's the kind of privilege that few people will get, and it's certainly bigger than being on TV every Thursday for half an hour.”

And lastly, the voice of American educator and politician Mary Chisholm, the first black woman to be elected to Congress where she served 7 terms from 1969 to 1983, and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.  She took intensely powerful stands against economic, social, and political injustices and was a long-time supporter of women’s rights and black civil rights.  Here is her advice to all of us:

        “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair