A Change Is Gonna Come
“But there are some things in our social system to which I am proud to be maladjusted and to which in our social system and to which I suggest that you too ought to be maladjusted. I never intend to adjust myself to the viciousness of mob rule. I never intend to adjust myself to the evils of segregation and the crippling effects of discrimination. I never intend to adjust myself to the tragic inequalities of an economic system which takes necessities from the masses to give luxuries to the classes. I never intend to become adjusted to the madness of militarism and the self-defeating method of physical violence. I call upon you to be maladjusted.”
Years before standing at the Lincoln Memorial to deliver the infamous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech in 1963, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of inequalities we should never become adjusted to.
In light of a global pandemic, those very pre-existing economic and racial inequalities have been exposed. Seventy percent of those affected by COVID-19 are from the Black and Brown community. Essential workers at the forefront of the pandemic are risking their own personal health to provide for their families. More than 36 million have filed for unemployment. These stories of injustices and hardship continue to build as the wealthy get richer.
The only way to deconstruct the current system is to hold our elected officials accountable and unite in partnership with those most impacted to lift their voices to demand change.
On June 20, 2020, the Poor People’s Campaign will demonstrate the power of collective voices at the Mass Poor People’s Assembly & Moral March on Washington. The two-hour digital justice gathering is a rising movement to represent the 140 million voices of the poor and low-income persons experiencing systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism.
As a national partner, Community Renewal Society is committed to stand with the Poor People’s Campaign, alongside our member congregations and faith leadership who recognize and refuse to adjust to the normalcy of injustice. CRS has been a devout leader in racial and economic justice for The Beloved Community since 1882 and continues to support movements spearheading impactful organizing and public policy advocacy. Together, we will dismantle systemic injustice and mobilize all voices that deserve to be heard, regardless of race, class, gender or criminal history.
The call to manifest our power to change the future is imminent. Will you answer and join the movement? Be a part of this change by making a donation to CRS today.
“Power for poor people will really mean having the ability, the togetherness, the assertiveness and the aggressiveness to make the power structure of this nation say yes when they may be desirous to say no.”
Be at the forefront of fundamental change. Register now with the Poor People's Campaign for the march on Washington on June 20, 2020 >
In Solidarity,
Adamma Ihemeson
Development Officer of Individual Giving