“The Triple Evils of poverty, racism
and militarism are forms of violence
that exist in a vicious cycle.”
(Martin Luther King Jr.)

My 86 year friend’s, an African-American civil rights activist, house burned down a few weeks ago. Since than her life has been in turmoil but through it all she has kept her sense of humor. Powers that control her life have moved her to a place far on the edge of the city. She has wanted to go to her former home and see what is salvageable. Today we were able to arrange with the building owner a chance to go back to her house in North Central Milwaukee.

The fire had mysteriously started in the basement and spread through the walls. The house was a disaster. We could not find her purse with her ID in it or the fur coats she was going to give to grandchildren. We took a few boxes of items that were not so damaged and left for future pickup her large collection of knickknacks she has collected over the years.

It was a hard experience and afterward we went to lunch at Amaranth Café, a favorite place for good soup and bakery. Then we went to the memorial service for Martin Luther King Jr., sponsored by African American Catholic organization at a local Catholic Church. The Church was packed, many African American Catholics, which there are many in Milwaukee. The music, as usual, at this Church and with this choir was outstanding, moving and participatory.

The young African American woman who gave the opening remarks pointed out how the three main issue of Martin Luther King Jr. were the evils of militarism, racism and poverty. I felt good hearing that since the local issues that take my interest revolve around the same three evils.

Militarism reflects on our effort hear in Milwaukee to get Marquette University, a Catholic University, to be faith to the gospel and no long teacher war and killing. Most recently the message was put into a YouTube Video Marquette and Notre Dame University Teach War and Killing.

Racism is present in many of the local efforts I have been involved in, Resurrect the Rims at Doyne County Park; Justice for Dontre Hamilton; and our efforts to get the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to make investments in central city not in the suburbs.

The last issue, reform of Milwaukee of St. Vincent de Paul also is clearly involved in alleviating poverty by person works of mercy, the main mission of St. Vincent de Paul Society.

All the efforts on these issue, military at Marquette, resurrect the rims, justice for Dontre Hamilton have been unsuccessful so far. However, acts of mercy, like moving a friend with a disability last week and taking my elderly friend today to recover some items after the fire are real blessings that keep hope alive that in these bigger issues, struggling against these major evils, we will someday overcome. Many of us believe that the evils of militarism, racism and poverty are more with our society now than at the time of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Be it so or not, it does not matter since the values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are rooted in our hearts and we believe that someday we will overcome. Works of mercy, as Jesus said, are the way to begin.

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