Print this on your paper. C-A-J-M. CAJM stands for the Charleston Area Justice Ministry, an organization of religious organizations that come together in the same tent for justice. Any church synagogue mosque or temple can join.

Each year we meet in small groups in the fall and winter to discuss injustices in the larger community. We decide on one or two areas of Injustice and research the problems. We then go again in diverse small groups to speak to the powerbrokers who can bring about the change we want.

In April, we fill in auditorium, and tell these powerbrokers that we are speaking truth to power. That term comes from the prophet Nehemiah in the Old Testament.

For example, the chief of police of North Charleston several years ago was at the microphone on the stage, and he was asked if he would bring about change in racial profiling of people who were stopped in North Charleston. He hmed and hawed, but in the end, the question the people who were questioning him got him to say yes. And the result was a three-year study to determine whether or not there was bias. And there was and change has been made.

We have talked to city and county. (I’m riffing now.) We have talked to city and county officials about affordable housing. The school board to address racial disparities and school expulsions.

And it is one of the most satisfying and rewarding community experiences I have had. And I have you know all my adult life, I’ve been a community organizer.