BREAD Rally Speech

Introduction

It is quite obvious, that we know what we are dealing with. Knowing what we are dealing with, how to deal with it and why we are fighting for change is two different things. Some people are here today because it hits close to home, the experiences you have heard and the people you are trying to help remind you of a personal situation so you extend yourself. Some people are here today because the oppression and the struggles they see people go through is heartbreaking and they can’t stand to sit by and do nothing. And last but not least there are people here who are here because they have the ability to affect change in a magnanimous way. Regardless of why you are here there is help you can give.

In the fifth Chapter of Nehemiah, we see a problem that is very prevalent today. Hunger and exploitation are at the forefront of the issues, so much so that the structure at risk is the community itself. If plans are not made and there is no follow through we will see our community crumble right before our eyes. So if you can do more, we need your help!

Some people are here today because the oppression and the struggles they see people go through is heartbreaking and they can’t stand to sit by and do nothing.

Who can do more? We Can

And last but not least there are people here who are here because they have the ability to affect change in a magnanimous way. Regardless of why you are here there is help you can give.

Re-gentrification does not solve problems it just relocates the wound so someone else can drag their feet patching it up. Suspensions exclude the student, it does not enhance their ability to learn and be accountable in the classroom. The more we exclude especially those in need, the more our community is torn down. We do not have time for second thoughts, we need these promises to be upgraded into oaths. “Restore now to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also a hundredth of the money and the grain, the new wine and the oil, that you have charged them”.

Re-gentrification does not solve problems it just relocated the wound so someone else can drag their feet patching it up. Suspensions exclude the student, it does not enhance their ability to learn and be accountable in the classroom. The more we exclude especially those in need, the more our community is torn down.

Restoring our community starts now. No time for second and third thoughts. People need neighborhoods restored, people need communities restored, we need employment restored, we need our education system restored. So if you can do more, we need your help!

You cannot fight for justice without a plan and preparation. We all have to remain on the same page. We can expect tension, we can expect a delayed response, we can expect to be discredited and dismissed. These negative expectations are not a sign to throw in the towel but to keep building for a better future.

Who can do more? We Can

There is strength in numbers, we are asking each person to commit to bringing three people. There is strength in numbers, there is accountability in numbers and most of all there is hope in numbers.

Re-gentrification does not solve problems it just relocated the wound so someone else can drag their feet patching it up. Suspensions exclude the student, it does not enhance their ability to learn and be accountable in the classroom. The more we exclude especially those in need, the more our community is torn down.

There is no more time for quitting

On May 4th, each of us Network members needs to bring at least 3 people with us to show Central Ohio what we expect. With 3,000 people at the Nehemiah Action, we will show solidarity, strength and sanction for the message at hand.

It’s no longer about the addition of a few here and a few there this movement is about multiplication.

It’s time to get rid of the dirt

When I think of dust and dirt, I think of excuses, today we need to throw away the excuses.

When I think of dust and dirt, I think of violence, today we need to throw away the violence.

It’s no longer about the community being divided on the issues, its about multiplying resources to make this community better.

When I think of dust and dirt I think of tension, today we need to throw away the tension.

From the newborn to the senior citizen there is work to do:

When I think of dust and dirt I think of being uncomfortable, today we need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Who can do more? We Can

If we are truly serious about seeing change in our city, then we have to invest our time and our treasure to keep it going. Freedom is never free, and neither is justice. We need you to come to the celebration on June 19th and rejoice over what we have done so far. We individually invest our money in the work so that we are not shackled to the demands attached to other people’s money. Compromise only happens when those involved have not done enough to sustain the cause.

So Network members, be sure to:

Bring 3 people to the Nehemiah Action

Come to the celebration on June 24th

Make a financial investment in our work together.

We must rise above the oppression

We must rise above the tension

We must rise above the violence

We must rise above to help the hungry

We must rise above to help people find affordable housing

We must above the excuse

Because BREAD.....RISES

Let’s all close in prayer with the BREAD prayer: Oh God, to those who have hunger give them bread and to those who have BREAD give them hunger for justice.