Peace. Please.

I just came back from a community rally hosted by Kalamazoo peace and social justice groups. President Obama is delivering the commencement speech at Kalamazoo Central High School tonight, and we wanted to have a positive presence to welcome him to our city and thank him for what he has already done, as well as the commitments to future changes.

The theme of the rally was "President Obama: Yes We Can Fulfill 'The Promise.'" The Promise refers to the Kalamazoo Promise, the gigantic anonymous grant that provides every student who attends Kalamazoo Public Schools for K-12 with FREE tuition to any public university in Michigan. Unfortunately, many students are not able to benefit from the Promise because they are not graduating high school. To me, the Promise is very parallel to Obama's presidency. We have a great opportunity and hope, but many obstacles to still work through.

Being at the rally today was so great for my spirit. I get frustrated with politics quickly, and was so disappointed by the drop in momentum of social justice activism after Obama's election. In planning the event, my eyes were opened to dozens of middle-aged Michiganders willing to fight hard for peace. I also learned of Skyridge Church of the Brethren, a peace and justice-centered church with impressive principles and practices. At the event itself, I was warmed to the core by all of the positive energy from fellow ralliers as well as people driving down the street, honking and throwing more thumbs ups and peace signs than middle fingers.

We are still here. Social justice activists must stay strong, support each others messages, and not let egos get in the way of progress. It's so easy to focus on the negative, but where does that get us?

Fight the power -> Become the power,
Anne