Voices of Service

Jim Ellison

Volunteers Exploring Vocation Coordinator

LEAVE COMMENTS FOR THIS POST AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

May 06, 2010

Cornell West Live! A Night in Princeton

At the end of April, I witnessed Cornell West live in a presentation in Princeton, New Jersey along with my VEV colleague Wayne Meisel and hundreds others.  As you might imagine, it was brilliant intellectually as well having a feeling that was a bit like being in the Black church.  For one hour, West inspired those gathered with insights and observations about society, the church and service in the world.

I shutter because I know what that cross stands for!
To be human is to have loving kindness (hesed).
We are who we are because somebody loved us!
Justice is what love looks like in public.

 
And the quote most related to our work within the Volunteers Exploring Vocation (VEV) program,

Don't spend all of life being successful and well-adjusted to injustice!

Well-adjusted.  For many of the 1300 young people serving in our 14 partner programs, they are questioned about whether they are well-adjusted, by parents, friends, other students, sometimes even those whom they serve, who ask about things like, 

When are you going to pay back those student loans?

You are doing what? and you are only getting how much each month?

When are you going to grow up and get on with your life?

 I get to sit and listen to their stories, those who serve.  It's an incredible chapter in my own journey and so inspiring!  I get to hear about their commitment to the community in which they live and serve, to their passion and love for those whom they serve, to their hopes and dreams as well as the many uncertainties.  They speak about a life of commitment, and they are anything but well-adjusted to injustice.