Social justice is a labor of love

By Mary Louise Pabello

We come from different walks of life, yet our paths cross here. 

Here

Where so many before us have gone;

Here

Where, great beings willing, many more still will follow. 

What drew us here? 

Our passion for justice 
the voiceless
the defenseless 
the invisible 
the forgotten. 

Our belief in a world where all are welcome, all are safe,

Our belief in a world that celebrates differences rather than stifling them,

Our dedication to making that world a reality.


We came

 Because we knew there was work to be done. 

We heard of the work of those before us 

And knew it wasn’t enough

--

Would 

never 

be 

enough 

Until those words ring true

All are welcome. 
All are safe.


The poem encapsulates everything this volunteer experience has been for me so far: a supportive community of like-minded folks filled with the conviction to bring about a more inclusive world. In light of recent events, I’ve not witnessed a single person or group throw in the towel or wallow in despair; we each took the time to mourn and then got right back to work. Because we recognize that anger or sadness only relieves the pain temporarily. Social justice is a labor of love—sometimes I think we forget that, getting caught up in the noise and rabble.