Protecting the Powerless Award of 2009

Larry James
Though it has been a long process, Larry has fought over the last few years to ensure homeless citizens have a place to lay their head at night. He battled different community groups who have no desire to be around the “untouchables” of our society. His efforts to convince people to see the good in people, some who are mentally ill, past criminals, or just down on their luck, were oftentimes fruitless…and even resulted in him being banned from some community group’s meetings. The comments on newspaper articles and blog posts demonstrate how vile people can be toward certain groups of people. Yet, Larry continues to fight.

After many months…and even years…of fighting, his dedication is paying off. The Central Dallas 511 Akard building is now moving in people. Fifty of the 200 apartments will be dedicated to formerly homeless residents, much to the chagrin of many.

I admire Larry’s persistence. I admire his determination to ensure people who don’t seem to get a voice in our highly political city are being heard. I admire his deep love for people and the fact that he can always find what’s good in someone…and that he uses every ounce of his “power” for that individual…and that individual…and that individual. He sees each person as an individual, not as a group. I like that. Not only for the people who are homeless, poor, and underserved, but I like that he treats me as an individual, finds the good in me, and demonstrates his love and caring for me as his employee over the last 14 years.

It is through Larry’s love, dedication, and commitment, he not only advances the cause of human rights, but inspires others to do the same.

On the cusp of greatness

In my mind, our nation and our world is at a definining moment. To this point, we have defined ourselves as individual countries within continents. We are are pitted with some and allied with others. We have decided who our friends and enemies are based on a few people within an entire nation.

We compete. We do our best to be at the head of the pack. We want the label of being the best and we want all of the blessings. "Buy USA!" "God Bless America!"

How does that language mesh with our spoken desire to help other nations? How does that language contribute to the good of people?

Our world today is different. Travel is easier, cheaper, quicker, and more possible. Speaking to someone overseas is as easy and costs as little as walking out our front door and talking to our neighbor (and we probably talk to more people overseas than we do to our next door neighbors!).

How can we use the tools we have to our benefit? How can we use our networking and connections in a way that brings us all together instead of pitting us against one another? How can we use our knowledge and technology to bring voices to the table across the globe so that people who are in situations of poverty, domination, and suffering can speak out about what they need to help them move forward? How can we bridge the gap to bring their knowledge of their space--whether in Meru, Kenya in Africa or South Dallas, Texas in the United States--together with others' knowledge of systems and politics?

I believe the possibilities are becoming more and more real. The real question is, will we do it? No...the real question is,

Do we want to do it?

Do we truly have the desire to be allies with people? Do we want to get to know the individuals behind the dictators? Do we want to hear the voices of the poor? Do we want to figure out ways to work together to make ALL of our countries stronger...or do we want to remain competitive and separate to see who's the BEST?

Right now our country is broken. But is because of that brokenness that I believe we are on the cusp of greatness.

But it all depends on what we decide to do with that greatness and how we choose to use the power that we still think we have.