MY DISCLAIMER: My stories, posts and comments are my own. They are not necessarily reflected or endorsed by my family or friends, so blame me or support me, your choice. I will wish you well either way... It is difficult to speak out, especially in a small / medium-sized city and when you challenge the status quo thinking and practices which perhaps contribute to the problems in our world. Change is not easy. We have learned that much from our great leaders and our prophets... You dont do this to make friends. You do this out of a desire to change the world, to help others that arent as blessed as yourself. If I were a millionaire or billionaire, I would be funding programs that could change the things that I felt needed to be changed. But, I am not. So at this point in my life and career I have decided to speak out and effect change in the best way I can, through media, outreach, nonprofit work and relationships-- and I have been moving in this direction for years. This all began in my twenties, where I was working with one of the first grassroots environmental groups called EarthWorks here in Chattanooga, where I began to learn about real activism and worked with some amazing people who taught me a lot. To this day, our work is remembered and has inspired many things in this city and across the state. At one time, I thought I could effect change inside education and government, and I did to some level. But everything in my life has led me to where I am now, and we must always speak out particularly for those who have no voice or for those oppressed. In one sense it is incredibly fulfilling to be part of a change that can ripple around the world, collectively. On the other hand, I am inundated with either amazing support or constant questions from resisters to change or people who dont yet realize that the world is changing, our climate is changing, and our very health and future is at stake. Our children are dying and there simply is no more time for Ill think about it tomorrow as is so succinctly expressed in the South. Business as usual will change with or without me. Things are going to be different, no matter what I do. But, if we do something, and together we try to make the world a more nonviolent (Hint: Nonviolence isnt passive) and healthier place, then together we can shift this tide and change the course we are on. It will be rough, no doubt. There are things in motion that will still happen, absolutely-- but we can alter events if we stand together. If not, we can sit and wait for what happens to us. To the end, I will fight for what I believe in. I will fight nonviolently for change and for a better world. I will do it any way I can. The People united will never be defeated. The people united can effect change in the world, for the better. Lets get started. Love, Missy
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:20:41 +0000