Faith in Action

I used to be one of those people that had a lacksadaisical attitude toward politics. Yea - I saw it on the news, but I didn’t pay it much mind.  But for the past two years, I have really developed a strong passion for community organizing, advocacy, and public policy.  Once I learned that I could manipulate my environment (I got two bills passed last year in Maryland); my appetite to be involved in more systemic change quickly developed.  I began learning A LOT!  And finding out that so much was being HIDDEN from the general public concerning the political process like where the money is going, and who really makes up the Power Structure. Let me give you an example.

See this guy?

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At least that’s what “they” want you to think.  Who’s “they?” - the politically powerful, the well-financed, the mainstream media.  They want the public to think, “what’s the use in opposing slots?  It’s coming whether we want it or not. ”

O’Malley’s flip flop change of heart on the matter of using slots to fund education has signaled to all who a part of his machine that it’s time for them to get in line as well.  Mayor Sheila Dixon has done her part.  She sent out an e-blast last week letting everyone know that she supports slots “under certain conditions.”  The money, “they” say will help close the state budget deficit, save the horse-racing industry, and fund education.  Word is Baltimore Ravens Middle Linebacker, Ray Lewis, is in on the deal.  Apparently, he’ll be part owner of the casino that they’re talking about bringing to Baltimore just south of downtown.   (He must be getting ready for his post-football career because they got their butts whupped last night for the world to see on Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers.)

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For Immediate Release: 
April 26, 2007

For Further Information: 410-367-393; Jill.Carter@house.state.md.us

STATE DELEGATE JILL P. CARTER CALLS FOR EMERGENCY SPECIAL SESSION TO PREVENT ELECTRIC RATE INCREASE

Decries Massive Rate Hike and Criticizes Constellation-BGE for Putting Profits Before People

Baltimore, MD: As a 50% rate increase for electricity costs looms, State Delegate Jill P. Carter, has written Governor O’Malley, Senate President Mike Miller and Speaker of the House Michael Busch urging a special session to prevent the increase.

“Constellation-BGE is putting profits before the people.  The legislature must step in and institute rate caps, re-regulation and move toward transforming Constellation-BGE to a public utility,” said Carter.  “When Martin O’Malley ran for governor he decried the increase in electricity costs.  I agreed with him that the massive rate increase was unacceptable.  Sadly, we did not resolve this issue in the legislative session now there is no alternative but a special session to prevent this unfair rate increase that will be a hardship for many Maryland residents.”

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“Think Globally - Act Locally”

 That’s the motto I live by when it comes to my personal activism and advocacy involvement. 

Many of you know that I have been raising my voice for the protection of the people of Darfur since learning what was going on a couple of years back.  I’ve attended rallies with my Young Clergy for Social Change colleagues; helped organize a Baltimore for Darfur event targeting the African American Faith community, preached sermons at my church, collected petitions, had articles published in local newspapers, and have been on radio shows trying to spread the word. 

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Ron Cassie, The Examiner
Mar 23, 2007 3:00 AM (7 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 56 of 24,176

BALTIMORE - Chanting “No education, no life”, more than 100 city students from more than a dozen Baltimore high schools demonstrated at a “die-in” in front of Baltimore City public school headquarters Thursday morning.

Falling to the concrete amid recorded “screams” while creating a pseudo crime scene complete with yellow police tape and chalk-outlined bodies on the North Avenue sidewalk, the students drew a compelling connection between education and crime in the city.

We have the second-highest murder rate in the country, said Amani Love, a ConneXions Leadership Academy ninth-grader. Where I live, so many people can’t read, can’t do math and really aren’t qualified to do anything. With no education, they can’t expect to get a decent job. What else are people supposed to do, but fall down in this system? That’s why we have the second-highest murder rate in the country.

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Joe Madison is testifying for the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.  He drops stats, facts, and figures left and right.  While half of my brain is listening to him - the other half is trying to organize my thoughts and sound half way intelligent while testifying. 

Madison is done and Walter Fauntroy goes next.  Like a good preacher he makes a little joke before starting to warm up the crowd.  They chuckle and he proceeds. 

While he’s talking I get my stuff together.  I think I can pull this off impromptu style now.  It hits me in that moment that growing up in the Black Church prepared me for this.  All those times that I had to stand and welcome visitors, respond to the welcome, sing a lead on a song, or pray over the offering prepared me for speaking confidently in front of people.  Thank you Church! (I gotta give a nod to the Future Business Leaders of America Club in high school too.  Did I mention that I placed 2nd in the county in the Impromptu Speaking competition?)

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