We live on a block in Oakland, California. We know everyone on the block by name. Everyone looks out for everyone and we have regular block parties and occasional block meetings.
Tonight my neighbor, Earl, came around to collect money for another neighbor, Michele, who recently died of cancer. Michele was in her 40s. Last Monday the doctor told Michele she had two weeks to live, she was dead within two days. She was an upbeat, thoughtful person and lived in a home with four generations, of women and children. Her grandmother, Muddy, is still driving a car.
Earl and I went door to door and collected a total of around $150. Earl is a retired firefighter, he was one of San Francisco's first black firemen. He is an avid barbequer. He is going to cook a big traditional soulfood dinner and we will sneak into the house (Earl has a key) on Thursday and set the food up for when everyone returns from the funeral.
No-one hesitated to give us money when we went door to door. Those that had, gave. Those that didn't have, gave.
Solidarity like this goes on across the country, across the globe, day in day out. It is with this power, harnassed, that we will replace the selfish, greedy, individualistic system that we live under.
1 comment:
This is so poignant, Rob. It's uplifting to hear that the sickness of isolation that capitalism inflicts on society and individuals within it has not infected your block.
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