Changing careers to social justice: Part 2
Over my career I have become increasingly focused on the work I am currently doing. In the IJM days I traveled extensively leading and assisting in campaigns all over the world. These days most of my energy is focused on Central Africa. Specifically, my work is focused on the abduction of children who are forced into sexual slavery or forced to fight in combat. Even more specifically, I am working toward the arrest of LRA leaders like Joseph Kony, a man wanted by the International Criminal Court, who is guilty of the abduction of children as well as severe crimes against humanity. I have found, to affect significant change it requires a deep dive into whatever subject you are passionate about. Before you switch careers to one focused on justice do your homework.
My guess is you are already leaning toward a general subject clean water, child soldiers, human trafficking, substandard housing, or some other area. What do you know about the area you want to focus? Do you know enough to fill up a post card, a sheet of paper, or a 10-page paper? How have you come by your knowledge? Have you learned from personal experience, involvement in one organization, or multiple sources of information? Far too often well meaning people will decide to “help” a group of people. While their intentions are solid their methods are often ineffective due to their lack of research. Once, when traveling in Africa, I came across a row of brand new outhouses. The villagers opened the outhouses to reveal all of them were packed with food. What the villagers needed was a safe place to store their food, but what they got were outhouses. Had the outhouse building organization listened to the villagers they could have dedicated their resources to solving the real problem.
While still focused on your present career do your research. Expand your knowledge base to include history of a region and current events. If at all possible, gather first hand knowledge of a people group or a part of the world. Keep a journal of your thoughts, discoveries, and your personal reflections. Try connecting with multiple organizations that share your passion. Open your mind to include conflicting ideas from experts on what might be “the answer.” As you are increasing your base of knowledge invite others along on the journey. I recently spoke with a mother in Southern California who hosts monthly gatherings of women who are interested in justice. She invites speakers from groups like Invisible Children to present the work they are doing. She has partnered with a wine bar in her neighborhood to host these gatherings. Her goal is to enlist the women of her community to address global issues like child soldiers.
Become a subject matter expert as you prepare to shift your career. Along the way continue to ask yourself, where do I fit into this world? How might my gifts be best used in addressing these specific injustices? Last thought, don’t be afraid to start off by researching multiple areas. You may start down one road only to discover it isn’t your life’s work. That’s okay; in fact it’s great. Your heart and your mind need to be aligned if you are going to pursue a new career, so do your homework.
Do More: Raise your awareness
Over the past several years I have had the opportunity to sit down for coffee with people wanting to do more. Through some set of circumstances they have become aware of injustice. It is always an honor to meet someone whose heart is full with righteous indignation. During these conversations I usually learn of a great willingness to work but very little clarity on what to do. They have money to give, time to volunteer, or networks they can access to share information. They ask, how can I do more? These meetings frequently follow a speech I have given or an interview in which I have participated. I am humbled to think my story, in some way, has inspired others to do more. Here are some thoughts to help you discover how you too might do more. August 17, 1999 an earthquake … [Read More...]
I regularly journal to my boys when I travel. They are very young and do not know why I go to Africa. One day when they are old enough to know the truth I want them to have these journals. 