So what?
February 15th, 2007
Today was the Greater Milwaukee Synod’s 2007 Winter Symposium at Our Savior’s in Racine. Keynoting was Bishop Peter Rogness of St. Paul, but Marcus White from the Interfaith Network of Greater Milwaukee and a number of synod leaders were also heavily involved. Throughout the day, as we discussed action plans to overcome poverty in Metro Milwaukee, we were constantly challenged with the question “So what?” So what if there’s poverty? So what that we want to do something about it? So what Christ lived in this example? So what if poverty primarily affects racial minorities? So what if poverty is concentrated in the central city? So what? So what?
I couldn’t let this opportunity pass to create an action plan of my own, but I’ve been mulling over what I can do. Since I’m restructuring my financial life already and trying to simplify things, I’m challenging myself to return to shopping only at local stores instead of the national and regional chains. By shopping local, I’ll be supporting business which is invested in the community; small business which creates real jobs for people and in turn buys its products from local, small businesses as well.
This is going to be a challenge for me, as during college I became very addicted to the convenience of shopping. I’d go to Old Navy, Target, Ikea, Jewel, so on and so on, so much I was on first-name operation with the staff almost. I justified my gross consumerism with even more consumerism, and have fed myself with the very structures which I fight against.
It’s a return to a more simple lifestyle, and if successful will be better for everyone involved. I’ll be attached to my friends, not my stuff. I’ll appreciate what I have, rather than want for the latest and the greatest sales I walked past. I’ll maintain balance in my life, instead of being a slave to materialism.
I’ll update you all on my progress. I’m starting tomorrow with my shopping list and going to Outpost, a local grocery co-op in Milwaukee and Tosa.
