HI all,

I have been pondering our recent discussions and I thought I would share
with you something I wrote to people who are working together on our
welfare reform list:

"I am hoping that the list becomes a resource for people to get information
about the program that affects them
     and their communities. I hope we can share our views, ideas, knowledge
and strategies so we can all do better
     work in struggling for a system that truly supports people in need.

     Often with-in progressive movements there is a lot of disagreement
about strategy and action, from my personal
     experience and view, I see the different work we do as pieces of a
puzzle, some pieces may seem really
     important but if we don't keep adding all the pieces we will never get
the puzzle done. But like a puzzle without
     the picture, we need to see the pieces to know what fits where so
hopefully this space will help us in that way.

     I also think it is critical to treat each other with kindness, I find
that the climate for poor people is brutal and feel
     that we must work always to counter this in the ways we work together
both in our daily lives and here on-line.

     So, welcome all and tell us a bit about your "piece" and the work you
have been doing."

If we use the idea of a puzzle then I think at some points I have been
suggesting that certain pieces such as child feeding programs do not fit,
David has been saying look I have the box with the picture  And others have
been saying no, I think it is a different picture.

I think it is okay to bring out the pieces and turn them around and ponder
where they fit,  personally having spent a lot of time working on social
justice issues I have to admit I am still struggling to understand the
whole picture in that area.


Thoughts, pieces?

S


Sherrie Tingley
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