Rev. Dr. Raymond H. Rufen-Blanchette
S.T.M.; D.D.; PhD.
The world in which we are living, as well as the time in which live today, present all of humanity with the greatest potential for human growth, development and individual success than at any other time in human history. The "New Economy", more often than not characterized by high technology, advanced communications, supercomputing, biotechnology, and the insurgence of the internet is surely and steadily proving to be an economic revolution that is changing daily our world on a micro and macro level, how we live and how we conduct our business. What a wonderful time it is to be alive.
These revolutionary changes are to be, and are being embraced for the tremendous benefits it has brought and is continuing to bring to humanity. Together with great benefit, the technological revolution that is sweeping the globe has as well brought humanity greater wealth and the ability to make even greater wealth in proportions that have exceeded our wildest machinations. In the United States despite the turbulent fluctuations of the various equities markets the economy is expanding exponentially, and with it economic opportunity, because fundamentally technological innovation leads to even greater technological innovations and expanding economies of scale creating wealth. However, with all of this potential for dynamic advancement and great wealth, what all humanity in the developed countries of the world need to consider and should be greatly concerned about in the new technological order is the poor.
How will the poor begin to participate in the new economy, and be able to fully take advantage of the technology and innovation of our time to climb out of the abyss of poverty improving their lives? Even greater yet is the question, how will poor children escape the chains of poverty to obtain vital and viable education that will prepare them to compete in the global marketplace? How will impoverished communities across America and around the world create and obtain opportunity in the new economy, find affordable housing, and feed and raise families that will be able to permanently escape the social and economic bondage that is poverty?
We believe that the answer to such questions can only be obtained honestly from the poor themselves. It is a mistake to rely on politicians and government to come up with solutions that will empower and liberate the poor and give dignity to the working poor and working families. The working poor and working families of our country know well the obstacles that impede their quest to escape poverty and to become full players in the technological revolution. Working families know better than anyone else their hopes, dreams and aspirations for their children and families. A poor man is not dumb just poor, and because a child does not have money does not mean that he or she cannot learn.
In our world money is power. The poor and working families do not have money to buy access to politicians and government. Their voices are seldom heard, their sacrifices seldom acknowledged, and their core interests rarely considered. The only way the poor will be recognized as a power and be able to stake a claim as a full partner in the new world order and new economy is through organizing. Like labor unions, the poor and working families of America and the world can come together, speak out and action as one body and unified voice. Organizing on the dynamic scale of the world stage can transcend religious, cultural and ethnic barriers, and eradicate racial injustices throughout the world. Grassroots organizing and political action that makes politicians and government respond to the needs of the people, and not the people catering to the needs of politicians and government. After all technology and innovation must exist to serve all of the peoples of the world to be truly considered innovative to humanity, not simply the rich and the powerful.
It is for this reason that this website exists, to provoke dialogue about the impact of American social, economic, and popular culture on the world, to inspire humanity to examine the roots of social justice and to fight for it as a right of all humanity, and to empower the poor and the working families of the world through issue organizing in an effort to achieve social justice. Issues that affect the poor and the working family will be discussed here from many different points of view. Local, national and global campaigns all over the country and the world that are fighting for the rights and welfare of the working family in every society and culture will be profiled here. It is our hope that we will grow to be a resource to the working family around the world and to help these families obtain information and perspectives from various grassroots organizations, activists and community leaders from all over the world.
Among the most vocal and committed of these grassroots organizations in the United States is A.C.O.R.N. (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now). We intend to talk about ACORN in bold ways and with bold, broad strokes. It is a national organization that represents local grassroots power for the working poor and working families, and the organization is progressively building poor communities organizing them to reclaim impoverished neighborhoods and to reclaim their future. Like any other organization it has its short comings, but it is an organization that builds leadership in the grassroots community to fight for the interest of the community. These efforts are commendable and should be supported.
In the midst of all of our technological advancements and prosperity America is searching for its spirit and its soul. American's are seeking deeper meaning in their lives, and they are placing an increased emphasis on spirituality. This phenomenon existed long before the tragic and condemnable events of September 11th, 2001. We have as a society at large grown in wealth, and gained in prosperity, but it has not brought us peace, comfort, love, or inner security. America has been a selfish, self-centered society, obsessed with our own popular culture, and unwilling to examine the lives and rich cultures of our neighbors around the world, except possibly during vacation travel as a passing interest. We do not often consider the roots or consequences of our consumer driven economy and culture. The majority of the human rights violations that we witness throughout the world exist to supply the American marketplace with the goods we enjoy, and often with ominous impact on our environment. However, it can be said in many ways that America is beginning to develop a conscience, and who can tell if it will be to our betterment.
No matter who you call god, and irrespective of your relationship with that god, if we do not see a little piece of god in the faces of the people that we come into relationship with everyday, particularly those that are less fortunate in our world then you will never truly find God. We come from God, and God is a part of each and every one of us. He still calls us all to love our neighbors as ourselves.
What are your thoughts and opinions on these matters? You can email me with your comments, as well as with your suggestions for this site at: [email protected] or at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from and dialoguing with you.
It is my sincere prayer that this site will inspire you to direct as opposed to passive action and lead you to empower your community that the place where you call home will truly be a habitat for humanity.
May the Lord Christ Jesus bless us, everyone
Reverend Dr. Raymond H.
Rufen-Blanchette
The Center for Legal Rights and Human Advocacy, Inc.
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The Center for Legal Rights and Human Advocacy, Inc. stands with the victims of the September 11th Attack and Disaster in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. We are working in consortia with other national and local faith based organizations in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to support these communities, the victims of the attacks, and their families respond to the significant and diverse challenges brought about by the September 11th Attack on America and Disaster, CDR (Christian Disaster Response) and IRFF (International Relief Friendship Foundation), national VOAD (NVOAD) organizations, have joined together with progressive, grass roots faith based organizations to provide a quantitative and comprehensive disaster relief and recovery response. One Community One Family (OCOF) is that response, a consortia faith-based disaster relief not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization created and designed to utilize the best qualities and abilities of both VOAD (Volunteer Organization Active in Disaster) partners in disaster response and recovery activating the faith-based community as natural providers of compassionate, committed service to people who are suffering and in need. Through our Healing Needs Assessment Centers (HNAC) OCOF has been able to provide this faith-based community response to the victims of September 11th in bold and innovative ways. Please support our disaster relief efforts by visiting our website and making a contribution.
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As we grow, we would like to profile some of our friends:
The World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO)
A.C.O.R.N. Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now
