Think Big

Nguyen Weeks, UUSC's program associate for youth, is taking part in the Louisiana Katrina Relief JustWorks camp.

"Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails and where any one class is made to feel that society is in an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob, and degrade them, neither persons or property will be safe."

--Frederick Douglass

This week, one thing has come up continually, whether talking to ministers, community planners, or grassroots organizers here in New Orleans. That is that all these congregations, organizations, ministers and organizers are starting to think big.

In the context of all the loss, separation, and devastation, thinking big means providing support in those gaps where family and friends used to be. Thinking big is when friends, neighbors, and strangers work on your house when the government fails to relay how or when they will assist you in your efforts to live. Thinking big is when congregations that could not fathom the similarities work together to achieve community-wide goals. Thinking big is when the differences that may have once hindered collaboration are seen as a wealth of knowledge for all involved and help to achieve larger goals.

Thinking big is something that is sealing the community-led goals of New Orleans. Athough the there is a lot of territory to cover, the window of opportunity is being taken advantage of by all those on the ground.

Thinking big is also when New Orleanians are leading the effort to return and that, in the end, developers and government officials are making decisions based on the wants and needs of the community.