By Imani Williams
A two-day workshop focusing on social justice work took place Oct. 10-11 at the Leaven Center for Social Justice. The workshop and retreat, "Feeding Our Souls for Compassionate Social Justice Work," followed the Leaven Fundraiser held on Oct. 6, in Lansing.
Social justice historians Vincent and Rachel Harding were the event's guest speakers and they were joined by Brazilian activist Valdina Pinto.
Workshop participants came from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and as far as Brazil.
The retreat consisted of structured sessions that included reflection and a spiritual connection to the work, nature and to one's self.
Social justice work calls for persons involved in the work to deal with the everyday realness of historical and institutionalized racism, sexism, religious persecution, homophobia, class issues, and in many cases just plain ignorance about certain cultures and practices.
People doing the work need to be in touch and honest about their own predjuices, insecurities and limitations and be willing to work on them. Taking time out to commune with nature and to get in touch with the past and other forms of life outside of what we take see and hear every day makes us stronger for the journey that lies ahead.
Facilitating through dialogue and song, Vincent Harding shared his experiences as a civil rights movement participant. The noted historian is professor emeritus of religion and social transformational at the Iliff School of Theology and co-founder of the Veterans of Hope Project. Harding also was the first director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Center for Social Change and the founding executive director of the Institute of Black World in Atlanta.
His daughter and colleague, Rachel E. Harding, is a writer and historian specializing in religious traditions of the Afro-Atlantic diaspora and the intersections of faith culture and activism in contemporary social justice movements. Both Hardings are publishers of several books and essays.
The third facilitator for the workshop was Valdina Pinto, a Candomblee priestess and activist for racial and environmental justice. Hailing from Brazil Pinto shares traditional teachings of Afro-Brazilian religion about interconnections between spirituality, social justice and environmental well being. She has worked with and been a family friend of the Hardings for more than 20 years.
The group felt one of Pinto's most meaningful charges was sending workshop members on individual excursions to hear, and feel nature's gifts. Attendees brought back wonderful stories and artifacts from nature from their hour long experience in nature. Taking time to hear nature and experience the beauty of mother earth included being silent enough to appreciate the tranquil music offered from leaves falling from trees to the gentle and ever present song a stream makes. It was noted from many in the circle that these are things we get away from in our day to day hustle and bustle.
Participants were reminded that there is order to everything and that in order to do the work and give your all everyday we have to take time to relax and hear the beauty that abounds for everyone to take part in. The message also included the charge to take care of mother earth so that we can continue to partake in all of her beauty and splendor. The hugs and well wishes shared around the room at the conclusion of day two was a testimony that those who attended were leaving refreshed and inspired to continue the work.
