home
radioJoy Attmore considers Jesus as the model for activism.
Equality has become the chant and cry that has erupted from many social media forums, as lights have been shone on issues related to gender, race, economic status and the injustices that still reside in these basic areas of human rights. Our Facebook timelines and Twitter feeds have become convenient places to give a megaphone to causes that we believe deserve national and international attention. Cities around the world have begun to feel empowered to raise their voice and put some skin in the game, as activists have taken to the streets in protest of legislation or treatment that they believe to be wrong and unjust. In New York City, parks and squares have become home to regular gatherings of individuals, all passionate for change and equal treatment. In 2017 the people's cry is still: "We want equality! When do we want it? Now!" and Nike have picked up on this theme in their latest advert campaign.
On February 9th, the BBC released a headline that added fuel to this already burning flame. "'Waste of talent' as poor pupils lag behind richer peers." The article details how children in the UK from more disadvantaged backgrounds are falling behind those with wealthier pockets by over two and a half years. Out of the two genders, girls are at a greater disadvantage with statistics showing that they are likely to be learning at a gap of over three and a half years behind their better-off peers.
With all of our technology, awareness and activism in the West, we still find ourselves grappling with basic issues of how we treat one another on a day to day basis. Change is happening constantly, but the danger, it would seem, is that it is not coming about fast enough for some of this next generation of leaders and influencers.
A true activist's voice - or click, like or repost - will lead to action. Darwin's 'Survival of the Fittest' theory was just that - a theory - which over time can either be proven right or wrong. 'Survival of the Fittest' will always mean that someone loses out; an element of humanity will be left on the dump heap. It resigns us to a dismal fate of inequality. But what if we could prove Darwin wrong? What if future generations could look back at us and declare headlines such as: '2017 saw the tide turn for UK youth'; 'UK leads the way in loving its children well'.
As I was mulling over this crisis of our education system, I was reminded of the greatest hero in the history of the world - Jesus. In Philippians 2:6-8 it describes His life like this:
'He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death - and the worst kind of death at that - a crucifixion.'
Jesus is the ultimate example of what it means to be an activist. He is the greatest liberator and lover of humanity that we will ever meet. He reached across the gap and, in love, became like us so that we could live like Him.
We need to follow His example. We need to reach across the gaps and find one another.
How do we remove the distance between the rich and the poor? How do we
change the way that women are treated in comparison to men? Yes, we
need to effect change in our legislation, to ensure that money is
being poured into the right facilities and our time and energy is
going towards those who need it the most, but I think it also comes
down to this model of surrender that Jesus sets. He laid aside His
rights as the Son of God to become one with humanity and from that
place bring freedom. I believe that is how we can bring true equality:
one by one kneeling with humility to consider another as no different
than ourselves, but in fact our brother, or our sister. 
Joy is originally from England and now lives between Los Angeles and New York with her husband, Phillip. She is the founder of the Beauty For Ashes Movement, which has begun in NY, and works with those that have been sexually exploited through the sex trade. Joy and Phillip are also heavily involved in the Broadway community and entertainment industry due to Phillip’s work. You can buy Joy's book 
Comment
Bookmark
Tell a friend
Print version
Good article - I note towards the end Joy, you use the words 'we need to'. Yes, as Christians we certainly should aim to lead by example, even if that becomes uncomfortable for us. But a bigger problem lies with those who dont know or refuse to know Jesus.
Society is increasingly losing any sort of foundational values as a growing number of individuals or groups seek to attain their 'right'. As Ive grown in my walk with Christ, it becomes more and more obvious why God set in place foundational values, as when man begins to define his parameters he totally screws up.
Unless people come to know the Lord and subscribe to His will, then almost inevitably, the modern equality drive is just to make society more divisive.