The Covenant In Action Reading

The Covenant In Action

The Covenant in Action reading looks at four different stories/strategies used to communicate the need for communities (specifically, the African American) to work together and overcome challenges that are faced daily. Though each story tells of a different challenge, each advocates the need for a change, whether it is within society itself or its citizens. Each additionally stresses how just one person can make a difference if not in the world, but starting with just one person or family.

There were two stories that I found to be the most powerful. The first, entitled “Helping the Homeless Through NAPS,” was about an organization that began with a group of college students feeding the homeless. Though it’s original mission began with helping the homeless, it has expanded to “alleviating hunger, poverty, and disease; and to improve education and food security among suffering people, both nationally and internationally…” What separates this organization from ones we typically hear about is there motto “we don’t just send relief, we hand deliver it with love and care.” I feel that in today’s society it is much easier and convenient to give monetary goods rather than one’s personal time. However, though each offering is appreciated, what real lessons and values are learned from giving money? In essence, not many. Yes, money is necessary to provide the tools and services needed to take care of those in need, but giving one’s personal time goes so much further. When you help another in need, you learn what it means to give. Your own personal outlook on life and what it means to “help” is often altered. I have volunteered and given money, but what remains with me the most is the lessons and values I learn while actually working with another. I can give money and not really think about how it’s helping out another person or I can be there witnessing it. Seeing how your actions positively help another, are feelings and experiences that cannot be replaced nor forgotten, unlike the feeling one receives when simply giving money that can be forgotten about within a week.

The second reading that I felt conveyed a strong message was “Education Plus Action Equals Change.” In this reading, the author talks about the black and white family’s statistics in regards to net worth and when buying luxurious goods. He then talks about how he went to a financial empowerment seminar where many voiced their financial concerns over lack of money. Then the next day, he see’s a familiar face from the seminar, standing in line at a shoe store. When he approaches and reintroduces himself, he asks why she was there and in which she replies “They are releasing the new Jordan’s and I wanted to purchase them for seven year old child.” Immediately, I thought wow, here you are complaining about money then you are buying your child new shoes-you wonder why you are in debt? Frankly, this isn’t surprising to hear about though. Many people possess a wealth of knowledge but don’t act upon it. This reading, appropriately titled, reinforces the message that we need to be applying the knowledge that we continually gain. If we don’t, then how can we expect change? I fully believe knowledge plus action equals power. The African-American community, specifically, has learned from years for fighting for justice and equal rights, that to be educated is the best gift and tool in life. To simply make sure your child happy by buying them the newest Jordan’s, is instilling in them the wrong values. We need to teach them the values of a dollar and what it means to help others instead of indulging in our wants. My grandfather always told me that no matter what I did in life, I needed to have a good education because it was something that no one could ever take away from me. This is so true. You can’t take away knowledge learned but you can abuse it. And by abuse it, I mean not applying it towards your life and daily actions needed to make the necessary changes.

The Covenant in Action readings showed me how important it is to help others and the importance of learning in order to grow and see the changes that are needed in today’s society. As citizens, we have the responsibility to help those that are less fortunate but as individuals we have the responsibility to be the change that we want to see.