Poverty Awareness Week at Neumann College

From November 12-14, I had the good fortune to share Mev’s story with the community at Neumann College for their Poverty Awareness Week. Several students—Kate, Kerri, Jillian, Jaffir, Ashley, Rob, Vicki, Alicia, and Sherma—took turns with me reading passages from Poverty & Riches, Life without Mozart, Seeing the World, and other chapters. There were spirited discussions, too, on the work people most want to do in their lives, the purpose of Neumann College, the people in our lives who inspire and challenge us, and the need for us to interfere with injustice. I was glad to know that several students were going to the School of Americas Watch vigil at Fort Benning later in the week.

Tuesday night, several students came to hear about some of my experiences working in Gaza with the International Solidarity Movement in the fall of 2003. In the spring semester at Neumann, a course is being offered on the contemporary Middle East, a wonderful opportunity for Neumann students to learn and think about this crucial region in the world.

In addition to the exuberant students who welcomed me, I am grateful to Mary Kay Kelley, Cathy Johnson, and Melissa Hickey for our stimulating conversations and their support during the three days I visited Neumann. Mary Kay, in particular, has been an enthusiastic supporter of this book project for some time.