THE ACTIVIST SPIRIT — TOWARD A RADICAL SOLIDARITY
Book review by Rev. David K. Farley, Pastor Emeritus, Echo Park United Methodist Church, Los Angeles. Formerly Director of Justice & Compassion Ministries for the Cal-Pac Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The Activist Spirit — Toward a Radical Solidarity by Victor Narro, is a small but powerful book. There is not a wasted word on any of its 124 pages. Using the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi as a reference and a framework, the author has provided a valuable tool for connecting our activism for social justice and the building of the beloved community to our own internal struggles for wholeness, self-esteem and deep compassion for ourselves and others. As he says in Chapter 1 Page 9, “We strive to find peace in ourselves that connects with peace in others, which then brings about peace in our community.” And it is in this awareness of our inter-connectedness that we can grow into a community of transformation in this world.
Throughout the book, however, Victor Narro makes clear that the peace he is speaking of is not just the absence of conflict but rather the presence of justice and joy. It is not so much an emphasis on self-denial that he lifts up but, rather, the call to a journey of self-discovery. It is this journey that connects us and empowers us to live out together the liberating power of love. It is, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice.’
St Francis is not the only spiritually rooted activist whose wisdom Victor Narro draws upon in this book. He also weaves together wisdom drawn from spiritually rooted activists from diverse faiths throughout history. Rumi, Thich Nhat Hanh, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez, Audrey Lorde, Roberto Vargas & Pema Chodron. Just to name a few. Each chapter is designed and written as a tool for reflection and meditation. I have found these very valuable in my own life and work. Each chapter is the beginning of a conversation that one might continue within their own hearts, their particular faith community or with a group of organizers and activists of diverse faith backgrounds.
There is also another source of wisdom that the author draws from in this book — His own years of experience and effective leadership in faith- based activism. As we say in my Methodist faith tradition, “I’m a witness”. His and my paths have crossed many times, on picket lines, marches, non-violent direct actions in many contexts throughout the years. When speaking of Francis on page 13, Victor Narro writes: “He did not rely on his words, but on the example of his life in action. He let his walking do his talking.” I know from experience that these words also describe Victor Narro. He doesn’t just talk the talk he walks the walk. His life exemplifies the radical solidarity he speaks of in this book. And I am so grateful that he has written this very accessible and useful tool for equipping others, who feel the call, to live such a life.
To order a copy of Victor Narro’s book, The Activist Spirit — Toward a Radical Solidarity, please go to the following link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-activist-spirit-victor-narro/1140550672