Table Dancing

In Breathing Space on page 121 to 122 Neumark tells of the story of Crystabel. This story was a little disturbing for me. I understand the mother is trying to make a living, but when she has kids to take care of I feel it is only just for her to find a different job. Obviously, no one watches after her children while she is gone because at 11:00 at night this 5-year old is ringing Neumark's doorbell to play on a school-night. If Ms. magazine followed through with "Taking-Our-Daughters-to-Work-Day", I can only imagine how this would effect families like Crystabel's. 

The sad part is there are people in the world today like Crystabel and her family. I believe it is unjust and something should be done. 

Justice

So at the beginning of the semester we were asked to define the definition of justice. Justice can be perceived from so many different viewpoints of people. In chapter 11, Heschel writes about justice. As I was reading, it made me form my original definition around what he was saying.

"Justice is not an ancient custom, a human convention, a value, but a transcendent demand, freighted with divine concern. It is not only a relationship between man and man, it is an act involving God, a divine need." (page 253)

"Justice is as much a necessity as breathing is, and a constant occupation." (page 254)

"Justice is strict and exact, giving each person his due." (page 256)

"Justice is scarce, injustice exceedingly common." (page 261)

God wants us to "seek justice." We can't expect to come before God doing injustice to our own brothers. Reading this made me think I should act more justly to everyone around me because that is what God wants... kinda like "treat others the way you want to be treated."

Justice Project

I have chosen to do a research paper concerning infant mortality for my project. I have found online sites that have provided useful sources. I originally thought about volunteering, but I decided it was too late. However, some challenges I am going to face is narrowing my topic. I will also have to make sure I link my research to justice or injustice so that I do not focus only on research. My to-do list over roughly the next month is to conduct more research, narrow my topic, and begin writing my paper.

Heschel and King

As I was viewing the links assigned for today's post, it really made to relate Heschel and King. From the first clip about Heschel, I gathered some information about him. He opposed war and said it caused "death of innocent people". During his life, the Holocaust took place, which formed Heschel viewpoint of racisim and other violence of humans beginning with language. However, through all these violent acts Heschel never blamed God, he said it was man's fault. Heschel describes God as one who weeps with man, and participates in the violence. The prophets inspired Heschel to speak out against the world's evils. His ancestors inspired him to celebrate life. Heschel goal towards others was to reach the heart. He was often recognized for his spiritual powers he felt (inevitible) and his deep spirituality. Like King, he fought for equal rights. He believed he was carrying out God's will and lived by what her taught. From the information provided about Heschel, him and King seem to have the same aspects of beliefs and actions from different situations and events.