...when good wo/men do nothing.

If we look back across time, different social programs designed to combat poverty, hunger, abuse, and other issues often fall short of hyped up expectations. Idealists eloquently draw hopeful agents of change into rhetoric that doesn't have a whole heck of a lot of substance. When it comes time to roll up our shirt sleeves and dig in to make change happen, there is no map to follow. The game plan has only one or two plays and when those plays fail, no one knows exactly what to do next.

Helping each other can be hard work. It is hard work for a lot of different reasons. One reason though, is that helping is  hard because the helpers have; wait for it...control issues. We want to control how our "help" is used.

If I am a conservative pro-life Christian, my time and my money had better not go into programs that support abortion. If I am liberal and pro-choice, I don't want you to pay for programs teaching abstinence (because I don't believe they work). If I am Muslim or Jewish, I don't want my money to pay for Christian evangelists who insist on conversion before they offer aid. If I am going to help, I want to control what happens to my money.  I want to know my donations reach the people.  I am not making a donation so high-brow executives can have $50.00 lunches. I could go on and on.

We want control. I say we, because I definitely play a part. I don't care much for the ideological battles of religion, but I care a great deal about where my money goes. Not that I begrudge anyone that $50.00 lunch. I do; however, take issue with my money being used to pay the tab.

Okay. So we like control. Enough said. Now, get off of it. Define your needs and issues. Get clear what you will and will not support. Do your homework. Find an organization you feel good about supporting, and give. Time, money, cast-offs, you pick. You believe in what you believe for a reason.  With that belief, you have tremendous influence.  If you remain silent in words or in action, someone...somewhere...loses out.

The question isn't about whether or not you make a difference; the question, is how will you use that difference?

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good (women) men to do nothing." Edmund Burke knew what he was talking about.

change the lives of women, change the world
T.