 The Highlander Center has been an important place in grassroots organizing efforts since !
its founding in the 30's. Rooted in ideas of popular education, it was a space where leaders of the Industrial Union movement of the 30's and Civil Rights movement of the 60's came to develop skills, theories and strategies. The Highlander has continued its historical role of supporting organizing efforts across the country. Our day at Highlander was a time to meet and strategize, looking at many of the different fronts on which this campaign is operating - dealing with logistics, our communication strategy, the legal aspects of the campaign, and (as always, at the center of our discussions) continuing to build the efforts of the poor to organize ourselves across this country. Community groups like SICK (Solutions to Issues of Concer!
n to Knoxvillians) and other organizations held a human rights picnic in Knoxville. We heard testimonies of people in Knoxville and on the bus who are struggling both to survive and to fight the conditions they are facing. There was also music by local musicians, poetry, and plenty of food to go around. Michelle Nored, a welfare recipient from Knoxville and an organizer, shared the following poem with us: Within my life I've made a choice, I spoke my mind, You've heard my voice. / A simple life I've laid to rest / So I could choose for me the best. So many folks have shown concern, / And many heads my kids have turned. / "Ju!
st why has she done that to them? / Those kids are outcast from within." With curly hair and perfect tans, / My kids were formed with God's own hands. / "Just where does she think she gets off? / Those kids will surely pay the cost!" "A Welfare Mom no doubt, agreed? / How else so many could she feed? / I'll bet they all end up in jail, / With trash like that, they're sure to fail." "We're the ones that she should thank, / For goodness sake we fill her tank. / We buy her food, pay rent and lights, / Just who is she to claim some rights?" They speak as though !
I'm not around; / As if I'd dare not make a sound. / For after all, you know they're right, / Why should I stand up, fuss, or fight? I've got life easy, / I've got life licked. / Free Medicaid, food stamps, and WIC. What's wrong with me? / Could I be wrong? / I don't think so, / I know I'm strong. For seven years I've fought the fight, / Been kicked by men and shamed in spite. / I've walked with kids a lot in rain, / No car to drive and lots of pain. Yet look at me, I'm still upright, / Been bumped and bruised, but still I fight. / Too many moms don't have the strength / To tell those folks j!
ust what they think. I think it's time to let them know, / They can't do that, just tell them NO! / You will not kill me, I will not quit. / Why should I with this great wit? [Next] [Previous] |
