Issues issues issues
There have been many issues that were deserving of attention in the last month. But I have found it difficult to write about any of them. It isn’t simply that the sheer volume, magnitude, and scope of injustice and tragety is overwhelming (although that can be true). And it isn’t simply because every issues or injustice that catches your attention enevitably turns out to be far more complictaed than you first thought (although that is also certianly true. For me its because fociusing on issues all the time feels like it misses something. Something that as a faith community we need to be adding to the conversation. Otherwise we are just another activist group protesting what we don’t like. What is the aded value? What is the spiriuality of injustice? How do we cultivate a spirituality of justice so that people in our communities don’t need a third party to point out issues?
One thing that we need to consistantly bring is hope. What is going right? What inspires hope? What draws people into action, reflection and imagination? What gets people engaged rather than just angry?
Focusing on and even finding these stories when I see dozens of stories of injustice and tragety and pain is like swiming against the current. Thats why the story of the parking day caught my eye so loudly. (Yes, eye and loudly). Not the biggest issue in the world, but one that was like a breath of fresh air.
Park(ing) Day: Creating people-friendly cities
PARK(ing) Day comes to NZ on 18 Sept 09. Collaborate to create people-friendly urban spaces.
This event involves
- Sharing resources creatively: Transforming car parking spaces into temporary public parks.
- Giving time: Inviting people to put money in the meter for these spaces.
- Enjoying spaces we inhabit: Encouraging people to be curious, slow down and have fun.
What’s YOUR ideal living space?
Would you like more cycle lanes? More walking-friendly developments? Greener spaces that are full of life? Creative spaces for smiling faces? A living city that doesn’t harm our life-supporting climate? Create whatever you wish for…

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