This is from my book The Peace Warrior, a section called Talk of Hope from 2008.
Before I begin, I’ll clarify my meaning of “growing corn”. The meaning of the phrase, “Can you grow corn with it?” can be as basic as: “Will the land sustain you?” Or in philosophical terms it can mean: “Is all your talk ‘pie in the sky’ or will it deliver?”.
From The Peace Warrior:
“There’s a lot of talk about hope these days, talk about hope is good, growing corn is better. Talk about hope is a lot like reading a menu when you’re hungry. It’s not quite satisfying.
Me, I’m always hungry. I guess that’s why I like living on a farm. I know where my food is coming from.
All this talk makes me hungry. Are you hungry? Do you know some hungry people? Are we ready to grow some corn?
Bring the kids who don’t know where milk comes from. Bring the old ones who remember. Bring the ones who like the dirt and the ones who aren’t sure.
I can’t think of a more singularly hopeful act right now than to grow corn. I’m not talking ethanol. I’m talking about going Green and feeding people. Talking about protecting and stewarding land so kids can see the stars. About sustained organics so “techno” food will be a fleeting and very bad idea. Talking about saving water, not just passing laws about it. Talking about saving seeds and ending hunger. Talking about inner city gardens and solar heating to keep us warm. Talking about the end of plastics and leaving oil in the ground, so our children need not go to war.”
There are prayers imbedded in hope. Or good wishes, for those who reject the notion of prayer. Either way, unactualized hope will never feed our longing. We are needed. Let’s get busy.
As I finished this piece for WDRT the news flash came about the execution of a young Black man, by Madison police. Numerous bystanders and witnesses video taped the encounter which included three loud shots to a body on the ground. People could be heard saying, “They killed him.” Immediately following the firsthand accounts of the killing came the slanted coverage of media and the police statements regarding the shooting and the young man. It took hours before they admitted he was dead. It took even longer before they named him. Corey Ruiz.
Corey Ruiz, however troubled, did not deserve to be executed. A family does not need to mourn. A community does not need to be divided by protecting or abolishing the police.
It is very clear we are in dangerous times. In too many cases law “enforcement” has become judge, jury and executioner. As painful as this is, what cuts even more deeply are the people who defend the actions of police and ignore the racism behind too many of them. It is time we address abolishing violence. It is time we reckon with our racist roots. It is past time we heal. “Keep hope alive” and speak up and show up if you are able. Do not let hatred win.
Photo from Wisconsin Examiner article: Madison police kill man in broad daylight in front of witnesses
let kindness win 