Preacher of Hope
Bojan Francuz
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: News
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Dr. John Perkins, a passionate speaker for the rights of the young, discriminated and poor, criticized the corrupt governmental system which is not providing basic care for the needy and instilling fear in peoples' minds.
"We are stagnated by fear and greed," he said to the audience of students, faculty and members of the community who filled the seats in the crowded Walter Theatre on Feb. 1. Perkins argued that at this juncture in time, we are capable of great achievements led by the inventiveness of young people who are capable of accomplishing great deeds. "Now is the moment, now is the day" to take action, he reaffirmed.
Perkins, an author of more than ten books and the founder of the John Perkins Center for Reconciliation Leadership Training and Community Development Center, grew up as the son of a sharecropper in rural Mississippi. He built a reputation and became known as a "preacher of hope," as titled by Dr. Robert Pyne, director of the Peace and Justice Center (PJC).
Perkins' visit, sponsored by the PJC and Student Government Association, marks just one in a series of events which celebrate Black History Month at SNC.
When introducing Perkins, Pyne reflected on the meaning of reconciliation as a path to justice, pointing out that "peace and justice can flow together in a common stream," and emphasized PJC's role to raise awareness, compassion and global commitment among SNC students.
Building onto the topic of justice and compassion, Perkins acknowledged that a large portion of justice is actual peace building.
"If you want peace, work toward justice," he stated. Furthermore, he went on to criticize the government and the lobbyists who are denying the poor of health care, and the former government administration that engaged in a bloody war to acquire rich oil resources.
"All the world is driven by energy," Perkins observed. However, he noted, if it was human energy led by brainpower, we would be much better off.
Trust in the youth and expecting great achievements of each individual who found Christ in their life was a common thread woven through the arguments and opinions spoken by Perkins. "They [youth] today think about how they can do something for others," stated Perkins, as he acknowledged that the timing is perfect for making the dream of those who died for equality and justice possible.
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