She's been there

A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity (along with 2 other colleagues) to talk about the work that the social justice teams here at ACU have been doing. It was an opportunity to discuss research, the situation with Black Farmers and the USDA, and the importance of taking therapy to advocacy on a micro and macro level in society. Most importantly, it was a time to educate others in the field of MFT about a group of individuals in our nation who are facing continued discrimination and hardship. After giving our presentation about the importance of addressing social justice issues not only in the therapy room but also on the broader societal level- the audience seemed to be stirred by the information. One man in particular raised several questions as to the legitimacy of the claims that discrimination has truly occurred. It is a difficult reality to accept that racism is still very much alive on individual and institutional levels, but I believe the way to change is through honest questions and conversations. I believe I was given an opportunity to be a soft voice of truth for this man- and perhaps others in the audience - about the need for acknowledgement and action against this problem. I believe this man was influenced. Perhaps he was able to take in a piece of what was said. And perhaps if just one more person acknowledges this discrimination, then I would say the presentation was a success.

Sarah Hugman
Justice Team III

Inspirational in more ways than one

Wintley Phipps' version of "Amazing Grace" and his historical background of the song stir my soul every time I hear it. It reminds me that some things are of ultimate importance and that my task is to continue to work for that righteous cause. I am moved deeply at what must have been the sounds coming from the belly of the ship by human beings who were being dehumanized. Enjoy this song, Phipps' version, find yourself moved, and continue the work in bringing righteousness to this country and to this world. Thanks to Josh Oliver, member of Social Justice Team II for letting me know about this amazing video.

"From Therapy to Advocacy, Principles to Practice," at TAMFT

Here are some interesting photos of interesting people who presented some interesting ideas recently. They grasp the larger issues of the Black farmer struggle and how it's embedded in our larger social context. They get it that injustice continues across our land. These are students in the MFT program at Abilene Christian University who have devoted their time and energies to putting their ideas onto the page and out into the public arena. The setting was the annual conference of the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Galveston, March 27, 2008. For those not in academic settings, the "poster session" is one in which they literally put up a poster with their ideas on it. They stand in front of the poster and engaged passers-by in conversation about it. Also, they presented their ideas in a larger research forum. From what I heard (I couldn't be there due to family matters), it was a lively presentation complete with a challenging question or two from the audience.

Here is what a few of them said about the experience.

Rebecca: "When I attended the Black Land Loss Summit I was overwhelmed and moved by the stories of struggle, racism and resilience. Their stories were embedded with multiple levels of factors that affected their landscape of discrimination and hardship. Communicating this within a conceptual model at the TAMFT Conference through words and graphics was complicated. Although their experiences were told, it was frustrating to not be able to relay the emotional sorrow I felt at the Black Land Loss Summit within a professional setting."

Kimberly: "An explanation of our conceptual model was sandwiched in

between our two other speakers in the forum. As a representative of the third social justice research team, I spoke about the various social structures at work regarding the issue of black farmers and land loss. Our diagram depicts several groups of concentric circles denoting the micro and macro levels of these structures. One group represents the government, another advocacy. There is one for the field of marriage and family therapy, and one is representing the black farmers. These various structures move throughout time with various levels of the system interacting with various levels of another system. The structures within their historical and cultural contexts. I told about one example where there was a collision of these structures. A few members of our research team were able to attend the 10th Annual Black Land Loss Summit where representatives from the USDA were present along with Advocacy reps. As the cultural context is still saturated with injustice, at these points of collision we endeavor to bring change."

Scott: "Presenting at the conference was both exhilarating and sobering. The thrill of presenting the stories that I have delved in for the last year to fellow therapists to help them understand the plight of the black farmer pushed me to work hard to honor their stories through our team’s efforts. A certain sadness followed the realization that many still do not understand or choose to hear the extent of the marginalization of the black farmers; even those with ears to hear can choose to block out the voices that challenge their schema. Clearly we live within the tension of celebrating the victories of those whose stories we tell and fighting further battles to keep the story from ending prematurely."

Michelle: "For the TAMFT conference I spoke briefly about social justice foci in curricular and co-curricular endeavors among COAMFTE approved MFT programs. A major component to my part of the presentation was emphasizing the importance of stimulating second-order change within MFT programs and the individuals comprising the program. Taking on matters of social justice, regardless of the group undergoing oppression, requires change within oneself as well as inspiring and seeking the amelioration of suffering and oppression through others. Being willing and aware of ways to incorporate diversity in an MFT program requires listening and learning from a wider array of individuals than before. I also emphasized the importance of incorporating diverse readings and other assignments that challenge the dominant culture and MFT models allowing for others to contribute to the theories and implementation of MFT."

Others spoke. Maybe we can get their words out here the next few

days or so.

Thanks to Jeff Emery, MFT at ACU student and professional photographer, for his skills in capturing these images.

New Deal, Resettlement, and the Real Deal

The people on this video mean a lot to me. I've chatted in passing and in depth with some of the people who are interviewed for this documentary. They'll tell the story of the resettlement era better than I can, so here it is. Enjoy, or rather experience some curiosity and then wonder what happened.

Video explaining the plight of the black farmer

Sometimes we need spoken words in order the grasp the gravity of a situation. So, here's a pretty good explanation of the plight of the Black farmer. Give a listen to this interview between Gary Grant, BFAA president, and BMSTV. You will find it more than interesting.

Be it resolved

This resolution passed unanimously in a democratic party precinct caucus recently. The vote on it at the county caucus is unknown at the present time. An Iowa Democrat requested to use it there. It's for use anywhere and in whatever way furthers the case of Black farmers and others who are in the class of "socially disadvantaged farmers."

Resolution on Behalf of Socially Disadvantaged Farmers

Whereas the CRAT report of USDA secretary in 1997 admits to discrimination of African American farmers; whereas Pigford V. Glickman and Keepseagle v. Veneman have failed in attempts to address grievances against African American and American Indian farmers; whereas the 2007 Farm Bill contains an insufficient sum of dollars to address grievances of Black farmers who were denied admission to the Pigford Consent Decree; and whereas current USDA policy contains too few economic incentives for first time farmers or farmers who wish to re-enter farming who classify as socially disadvantaged farmers (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian American, women farmers, and others);

Be it resolved: )1) That the Democratic Party of Texas encourage Congress to more sufficiently fund efforts to address injustices done to socially disadvantaged farmers beyond the scope of the 2007 Farm Bill; (2) That the Democratic Party of Texas encourage a greater degree of disclosure within the Office of Civil Rights relative to the successful adjudication of civil rights complaints against socially disadvantaged farmers; (3) That the Democratic Party of Texas encourage the USDA to add significantly to the economic packages that encourage first time farmers or farmers who wish to re-enter farming; and (4) That the Democratic Party of Texas demand that current policies and procedures within the USDA/FSA relative to all programs related to farming be equally applied to all farmers without regard to minority status.

Reading list growing

Here are a couple of books that I'm beginning to wade through:

"Fire in a Canebreak: The Last Mass Lynching in America" by Laura Wexler

and

"The Day Freedom Died: The Colfax Massacre, the Supreme Court, and the Betrayal of Reconstruction" by Charles Lane.

What are you reading that relates to the words and sentiments on these pages?

A few words from a sermon

The first twenty-four years of my life were years packed with fulfillment. I had no basic problems or burdens. Because of concerned and loving parents who provided for my every need, I sallied through high school, college, theological school, and graduate school without interruption. It was not until I became a part of the leadership of the Montgomery bus protest that I was actually confronted with the trials of life. Almost immediately after the protest had been undertaken, we began to receive threatening telephone calls and letters in our home. Sporadic in the beginning, they increased day after day. At first I took them in my stride, feeling that they were the work of a few hotheads who would become discouraged after they discovered that we would not fight back. But as the weeks passed, I realized that many of the threats were in earnest. I felt myself faltering and growing in fear.

After a particularly strenuous day, I settled in bed at a late hour. My wife had already fallen asleep and I was about to doze off when the telephone rang. An angry voice said, "Listen, nigger, we've taken all we want from you. Before next week you'll be sorry you ever came to Montgomery." I hung up, but I could not sleep. It seemed that all of my fears had come down on me at once. I had reached the saturation point.

I got out of bed and began to walk the floor. Finally, I went to the kitchen and heated a pot of coffee. I was ready to give up. I tried to think of a way to move out of the picture without appearing to be a coward. In this state of exhaustion, when my courage had almost gone, I determined to take my problem to God. My head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud. The words I spoke to God that midnight are still vivid in my memory. "I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But now I am afraid. The people are looking to me for leadership, and if I stand before them without strength and courage, they too will falter. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I've come to the point where I can't face it alone."

At that moment I experienced the presence of the Divine as I had never before experienced him. It seems as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice, saying, "Stand up for righteousness, stand up for truth. God will be at your side forever." Almost at once my fears began to pass from me. My uncertainty disappeared. I was ready to face anything. The outer situation remained the same, but God had given me inner calm.

Three nights later, our home was bombed. Strangely enough, I accepted the word of the bombing calmly. My experience with God had given me a new strength and trust. I knew now that God is able to give us the interior resources to face the storms and problems of life.

Let this affirmation be our ringing cry. It will give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future. It will give our tired feet new strength as we continue our forward stride toward the city of freedom. When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds and our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, let us remember that there is a benign Power in the universe whose name is God, and he is able to make a way out of no way, and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. This is our hope for becoming better men. This is our mandate for seeking to make a better world.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love

A must listen

This link to a Bill Moyers' interview with Cory Booker, mayor of Newark, NJ, is making the airwaves and blog worlds these days. It's a must listen of a man who believes in living out his values and making the world a better place. You can also follow the text.

Here's the link: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/03282008/watch2.html

I'd also recommend that you listen to and read the text from Obama's speech several days back. Many of you have likely already seen it but here it is, just in case:
http://www.barackobama.com/2008/03/18/remarks_of_senator_barack_obam_53.php
This link has both sound and text as well.