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Awareness is the First Step Towards Justice


Some people never see injustice in the world or even in their daily lives. Perhaps it's because there is lack of education or understanding on how to recognize it? Or maybe it's because we can become too focused on our own lives? It's when we become inwardly focused on our own lives a blind spot is created to what's going on in our community, country, and around the world. It seems as though there is a natural predisposition not to see anything we don't want to, aren't expecting, or can't explain.

Or perhaps it's an attitude of injustice is somebody else's problem? Injustice can be ignored because it's not our problem? Or we hold this belief that someone else will handle it, we don't need to get personally involved.

What if you found yourself not being able to ignore the injustice, oppression, and marginalization that people in our community, in country, and around the world face? It is my belief that awareness is the first step towards justice. It is once we become aware of injustice that we can never again say "I did not know".

This Saturday, October 11th from 8:30a - 12:00p, Faith CommunityUnited Methodist Church is offering an eye opening experience - poverty simulation that works to educate and leave a lasting impression. Partnering with Ohio Association of Food Banks, this simulation engages participants by assuming a "role" in a family that is facing a variety of challenging, but typical circumstances. Some are homeless, others have become unemployed, and some are suddenly faced with the responsibility of raising grandchildren. You will work in a group ("family") navigating life working to secure food, shelter, and other basic necessities by accessing the various resources available.

If you ever questioned or found yourself judging what it is like to live in poverty, then I would encourage you to come to this free event. I had the opportunity to participate in this simulation experience a few years ago and it has forever changed my understanding of the what it means to live in poverty. I moved from someone who was only acutely aware of the injustice of what it means to live in poverty - admittedly sometimes thinking that it was somebody else's problem to having my eyes open that motivated me to work towards social change. It was "experiencing" something that wasn't comfortable, wasn't expecting, and can't fully explain that forced me out of my inward focused, comfort zone to having a commitment to focus outwardly and be aware of what is going on in the world around me.



For more information about this opportunity or to register for this event - click here. 

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