Dublin Core
Title
Jeanelle Nicolas Ablola
Subject
May we be solidarious, excerpts from an essay by Rev. Jeanelle Nicolas Ablola
Description
“We must be solidarious, meaning one with everybody, with the care of the planet, and we must be willing to accompany people’s movements for their rights, justice, peace. And so I put my education and my experience and my commitment to that service.” – Rev. Marta Benavides
10 years ago, I met Rev. Marta Benavides through Churches Witnessing with Migrants (CWWM). In El Salvador, she journeyed alongside Archbishop Oscar Romero. When sharing her experiences and expertise, she would occasionally bring up this concept of being solidarious – “We must be ‘solidarious’ as one vs be ‘in solidarity’ with other’s interests.”*
This solidariousness – this living into and recognizing our oneness. The oneness of our struggles, of our resistance, and of our dreams. It recognizes that our deep engagement with the work of liberation, wherever we may feel called, is intertwined with the liberation of others.
I wonder if – instead of chasing productivity – sometimes just being present, conscious, educating ourselves, or lifting up and naming our shared struggles is enough. To allow ourselves to get swept up in collective grieving, anger, or joy for/with one another. Perhaps that practice, that discipline, will open us up to Spirit who will empower us towards being organized more deeply, consistently, or lead us towards strengthening and building revolutionary relationships.
10 years ago, I met Rev. Marta Benavides through Churches Witnessing with Migrants (CWWM). In El Salvador, she journeyed alongside Archbishop Oscar Romero. When sharing her experiences and expertise, she would occasionally bring up this concept of being solidarious – “We must be ‘solidarious’ as one vs be ‘in solidarity’ with other’s interests.”*
This solidariousness – this living into and recognizing our oneness. The oneness of our struggles, of our resistance, and of our dreams. It recognizes that our deep engagement with the work of liberation, wherever we may feel called, is intertwined with the liberation of others.
I wonder if – instead of chasing productivity – sometimes just being present, conscious, educating ourselves, or lifting up and naming our shared struggles is enough. To allow ourselves to get swept up in collective grieving, anger, or joy for/with one another. Perhaps that practice, that discipline, will open us up to Spirit who will empower us towards being organized more deeply, consistently, or lead us towards strengthening and building revolutionary relationships.
Source
https://enfleshed.com/blogs/moments-for-common-nourishment/may-we-be-solidarious/