By Toni Niemiec
I write this as a postscript to our most recent Coffee Talk on Faith and Education. As sometimes happens, our dialog that morning quickly went off the original topic to the concerns individuals have over the educational system in the United States. Some felt that “higher education” had responsibility, others questioned the federal government’s policy and “No Child Left Behind,”and still others looked to Corporate America. All agreed that there are major issues with education today.
We have had similar Coffee Talks with different topics evolving into concerns with gun control, law enforcement, violence, human rights, etc… The similarity isn’t the topic, rather it is that we are looking at institutions within a system that is no longer working. We have had brilliant speakers share their views and most often it boils down to a systemic problem.
It is time to stop looking to someone to solve the problem…to stop blaming “them” for creating the problem. Rather, it is time to look within ourselves to begin to find a way to create a country that is powerful through compassion instead of weapons, just in creating and sustaining programs that support all people in bringing themselves fully to life, and respected not for its “might” but for the recognition that we are all interdependent and, therefore, supports true human rights, freedom, and a “fair market” world.
The answers are not out there…they must come from within…is where faith comes in— through meditation, contemplation, prayer, and other spiritual practices, we must turn within, ask the questions, and listen for the answers.
We must be courageous in speaking up, in creating or joining with others in grassroots movements. Eventually the “tipping point” of change will be reached and that which we have dreamed will become reality.
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