This I Believe

Today my friend, 'Big Poppa' sent me a forward to end all forwards. I endorse this link and think everyone should forward it to everyone in their address book. Click on the link below and enjoy!



URGENT: End Forwards Now!

Chicago

Aaron and I are on week two of our S.C.U.P.E. (Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education) course. We are part of a group of 23 seminarians traveling through Chicago to hear from community visionaries and leaders. Our Professor is internationally known and has been called the best African American preacher in the U.S. Her network has allowed us to hear from THE leaders in the city. We’ve traveled to infamous areas Cabrini Green, Robert Taylor Homes, Cicero, South Chicago and many other places. We’re learning about the projects and issues that these leaders now face as gangs fight for new turf after being displaced. We're hearing the problems associated with gentrification and how racism, economic injustice and violence are perpetuated by the powers and principalities.

By day we learn and by night we explore Chicago’s nightlife. Last night we were at the Green Mill. “One of famous gangster Al Capone's former speakeasies from the Prohibition-era roaring '20s (check out his photo on the baby grand behind the bar); it was also a fav of Charlie Chaplin and Gloria Swanson. The oldest jazz club in the US (and presumably the world), under Dave Jemilo's care, it remains one of the city's liveliest jazz venues and still serves a mean Manhattan and martini.” Tonight it’s off to Rush Street for my fav Chicago piano bar/ steak house, Gibson's.

West Virginia Miners Trapped in Mine

Photo: The road leading from the coal company owned homes to the coal mine in Beards Fork, WV.





Today the nation learned of 12 miners killed in a West Virginia. Exacerbating this horrendous situation was a three-hour period of joy when the 12 were reported to be alive.

While I have never lived through the horror of a mine collapse, the news hits close. In my family, men had a choice between working in the coalmines and joining the military. I am the granddaughter, great niece and cousin of many miners. Eubert, my great uncle was killed in the mines. Mom’s best friend growing up, Sheila, lost her husband in the mine. Tracy, another great uncle, died of black lung. Grandpa still waits for his black lung settlement.

A few years ago, I heard the stories of mine collapses in Beards Fork, WV. My grandma told of the horror of waiting for ‘Daddy’ to come home after the news of a collapse. During the 2004 collapse in Russia, I was visiting my grandpa. He was glued to the cable news channels and would not sleep while their fate was known. Miners know danger. They are also a tight bunch who cling to each other for survival.

With this collapse, I feel a mix of sadness and rage. I rage against Ben Hatfield, the company president, for letting the families celebrate a lie that their men were alive. Mostly, I grieve for the families that will never be the same. I grieve for all families, including my own, who have lost loved ones for coal.

SD and NE

Photos from my first South Dakota Christmas!


Photos from Lori and Tyler's New Years Eve wedding!