I have been working on a story of how a small group took over the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Milwaukee and changed its mission and purpose and how a small group is now trying to restore the Society to its original mission and purpose. The essay is in its draft form and I am clear that the opinions expressed are only my own but am asking persons to correct any facts in it. But I am enough of a fool to believe that if the facts are presented and my opinions of the values and principle of the Society in St. Vincent de Paul and Gospel are expressed, I can enter into a dialog with people and there will be a positive change. I know deep in my heart that changes and reform do not happen without nonviolent action but like to think that words can make a change.
So why do I continue to try to enter into meaningful dialog with persons I believe are hurting the poor and people in need. All I can think of is that I believe in the goodness of the people whose opinions and practices I oppose. They often just ignore me and my views but I cannot return that view. Ignoring someone, not recognizing the person or his or her opinions and beliefs even exist is, in my mind, the worst form of hatred a person can show another.
To change ones belief and views is difficult, as I have experienced but to not be open to others is unacceptable. I am not subscribing to the popular philosophy “you have your opinion of the truth and I have my own and we should agree to disagree. Struggling for truth is what makes our human and speaking the truth to power is something we are obliged to do. The truth may send us free or may land us in trouble but seek it we must. Dialog of our beliefs is the way to clarify and strive for the truth.
Mahatma Gandhi calls his autobiography “THE STORY OF MY EXPERIMENTS WITH TRUTH . For Gandhi seeking truth is what kept him going in tough times, writing, not giving up, and willing to risk nonviolent action and suffer. I am no Gandhi and do not have his discipline and willingness to suffer for beliefs and values as he. But I seek to be like him, Dorothy Day, Frederic Ozaman (founder of Society of St. Vincent de Paul) and others who keep striving for the truth.
However, I must admit in reference to Milwaukee St. Vincent de Paul and other issues of justice and peace I still think of asking “Where is Robin Hood when you need him.”?
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