By Isaac Heggins

Principle No. 2 of the Poor People’s Campaign, a national call for moral revival: We are committed to lifting up and deepening the leadership of those most affected by systemic racism, poverty, the war economy  and ecological devastation and to building unity across lines of division.

Does anyone remember the adage “everything I ever needed to know, I learned in kindergarten?” We’re so busy teaching the hardcore elements of the ABCs and the 123s that we’ve forgotten that the letters and numbers also stand for Amy, Bob and Charlie, as well as “where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I among them and anything they agree upon will be done for them by my father in Heaven.”

We are now expected to begin molding geniuses at birth.

Now in kindergarten, kids rarely have time to learn to play together, love, protect and care for one another as they do themselves.

Does anyone really know what time it is? Does anyone really care?  Yes, the Poor People’s Campaign cares.

The Poor People’s Campaign knows it’s time to give a voice to the voiceless and a face to the unseen. It provides an opportunity and stage for people to share their stories about how they have personally been affected by systemic poverty and racism. We in the Poor People’s
Campaign are not gatekeepers. Gatekeepers speak for, describe, define, interpret and control the flow of information with or without the knowledge or permission of those they serve.

The campaign provides the platform and support for people to speak for themselves to those running the oppressive and suppressive systems and who never heard the people speak.

The individuals speaking for themselves are assimilating into leadership roles and will inspire others to do the same. Thus, they will garner the attention of local, state and national politicians to work with them to change these unjust systems.

Some questions: Why are people poor? Why are there disparities? Why is there racism? The response: Because it’s working the way it was set up to.

Psalm 41:1-2 says, “Blessed is he who has regard and consideration for the poor and weak: The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will  preserve him and protect his life; and he will bless him in the land; and will not surrender him to the desires of his foes. The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. “

The Poor People’s Campaign is committed to being the catalyst for the unseen faces and unheard voices that have been marginalized systemically throughout time.

Isaac Heggins is a member of the Salisbury Circle of the Poor People’s Campaign.