Week 21: Winter
Lesson 17: Rise Up! Fight for what is Right

I fight for what is right.

Getting to the Heart of the Lesson

Religions provide significant instructions about ways of being that are good and just. To uphold these ways of being requires the support of spiritual practice and spiritual community. Why? Because we humans are easily seduced and persuaded by fear, scarcity and a sense of separation, or as the Buddha taught, “Greed, hatred and delusion.” Fear, scarcity and separation are learned behaviors but as we have explored and been reminded in many of these lessons, learned behaviors are not who we truly are. We are of Heaven and Earth. We are of soil and sky. We are family within a web of diverse and wonderful kin, pulsing with Life! When we fight for what is right, we put our inner Mystics and inner Prophets to work. We remind ourselves and fellow humans who we actually are.

This lesson is about providing tools and instructions so the fight is not just theoretical but rather action-filled. The activities have been created to encourage the children to engage with an issue and to fight for what is right.

Teacher Reflection/Activity

Some reading and a 10-20 min exercise (more if you have time and with to take it) so you are able to experience the teachings offered through this lesson.

Option 1 — Recall your favorite social justice s/ heroes and change-makers. Make some notes (single words or short phrases are fine) about why they have been sources of inspiration for you.

Similarly, think about a change that has happened in your town, our country, or around the world that makes you feel grateful. How did that change come about? Fighting for what is right manifests in a number of ways. Examples: Speaking up, asking for help, writing letters, making signs, organizing marches, visiting government leaders, crafting

petitions, voting, demonstrating, practicing civil disobedience, boycotting, fundraising, building awareness through art and beauty, etc. Is there a way you would like to stand up and speak up for something that is not right? Who would be a good companion for you in this process? Social transformation begins with one voice, but happens in solidarity. Who will you invite to come along? (NOTE: If you select Activity One (below) to do with the children, this brainstorm will help you provide the kids with some real life examples of how change happens.)

Option 2 — If your spiritual path has not taken you into the practices of social justice-making and being prophetic, use this time to gather inspiration from individuals who have found their voices and inspired others. Watch a movie (a few feature length suggestions below) or some interviews (shorter documentaries and great interviews can be found by searching YouTube) that focus on a social justice s/hero.

• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (https:// www.imdb.com/title/tt7533152/) – the story of a young determined change-maker in Malawi

• Milk (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1013753/) – the story of Harvey Milk

• Taking Root (https://takingrootfilm.com/the- film/) – the story of Wangari Maathai

• Erin Brokovich (https://www.imdb.com/title/ tt0195685/) – the story of a woman’s fight for clean water

• Gandhi (https://www.imdb.com/title/ tt0083987/) – the story of Gandhi’s efforts to decolonize India

• Harriet (https://www.imdb.com/title/ tt4648786/) – the story of Harriet Tubman working the underground railroad

As you imagine a better world — one that looks more like a healthy ecosystem, or sounds like the teachings you have internalized from Jesus, Buddha, Moses, or other spiritual teachers — what is one way you would like to stand in your truth and take action? Remember, your activism does not need to be loud or dramatic. Taking action quietly, behind the scenes can still be very powerful, especially if you are serving as support to encourage others who have needed to be heard for a long time.